The Dublin Rose was blooming lovely at the NCBI shop on the Crumlin Road shop this week as she dropped in for a shopping experience with a difference!.
25 year old Primary Teacher, Maria Coughlan, from Malahide, jumped at the chance of participating in the NCBI Fashion Makeover Challenge, saying she is a devotee of charity shops and likes to support them given their important role in the overall charity fundraising efforts.
The 2017 contestant called to the NCBI shop in the busy Crumlin area, where she was placed in the capable hands of Manager, Jean Byrne, who greeted the Rose with an array of fabulous outfits at fabulously low prices.
First up was a gorgeous Lucy Wang emerald green taffeta dress that was brand new with original tags on. It would normally retail around €150 but at NCBI was a steal at just €60. It was teamed with gorgeous Guess metallic black and silver shoes for just €20.
Maria was well used to donning glitzy gowns at the Rose of Tralee Festival and so the silver ‘Ignite’ ensemble that she wore next brought back magical memories of her participation in the international event. The satin two piece was marked at just €50, ideal for any ball or snazzy event. The pink Guess sandals matched it perfectly and at just €15 were a definite bargain.
Now we’re in the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, the gorgeous Karen Millen coat was so appropriate with its beautiful Autumnal colours. A much sought after brand it was just €40, and anybody who knows this brand recognises that the price is a serious reduction on what it would normally retail for.
Maria would look the part of a rock chick at any music festival in the final outfit. A New Look floaty chiffon dress, leather ankle cowboy boots, faux fur gillet, burgundy fedora and fringed bag looked fantastic and came in at just €40…for the lot!. It was a popular choice and the assembled customers who are regulars at the shop ooohed and ahhed as Maria smiled and twirled for the camera.
Regulars Teresa and Gerry travel to the shop from the Liberties every week. “It is like a magnet” said Teresa,“we love coming in as we never know what we’ll pick up. Today we got a flask for €2,sure where else would you get it”.
Manager Jean who has worked for the NCBI for the past 13 years said “We have a great team here, customers, staff and volunteers, they’re like the Dubs, champions!!” “We have a very busy shop here, the donations and the customers just keep coming and I love seeing that. We’re constantly on the go and it’s just great”.Jean believes that there are as many reasons that people shop with NCBI as there are shops . “Well we have 97 shops throughout the country so we must be doing something right! People like shopping for less; they like quirky interesting items and know that they will get them here. They like to use their imagination when putting things together and most importantly they know that when they buy an item here in NCBI, the money goes towards providing vital services for people who are blind or vision impaired”.
Last word goes to Rose, Maria, who said “I had a ball here today, it was a lovely experience and I am so glad to contribute in my own way to the incredible work of the NCBI. The organisation does sterling work for people with vision loss”.