Sandton City has an exciting new shop – and it is empty! Until mid-November, Jo’burgers are encouraged to take clothes to a shop instead of taking them away. The Empty Shop – making its African debut – brings charity and fashion together.

This global charity initiative turns clothes donations into a store installation, which increases awareness of those in need of clothes you don’t wear anymore. Pioneered in Brazil, #TheEmptyShop has created a unique way of donating. And what better place to set this up than in Johannesburg’s ultimate fashion destination?

Situated in the Checkers Court, the shop assistants at The Empty Shop will happily take your pre-loved clothes and style the store’s mannequins with the items donated. Each night the shop will be emptied, leaving The Empty Shop ready to receive new donations again the following day.

The store will be open daily from 09:00 – 19:00 Monday to Thursday, 09:00 – 20:00 Friday, and 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday and Sunday.

All clothes (that are clean and in wearable condition) – from simple dresses and casual jeans to designer suits; babies’ and children’s clothing – will be given to Sandton City’s selected charity for 2014, HospiceWits, which provides palliative care and support to the communities in Johannesburg and Soweto.

A photo posted by Nafisa Akabor (@nafisa) on Oct 10, 2014 at 2:43pm PDT