Helping women dress for success

Local company AtWater Consulting Ltd. is holding its second annual Professional First Impressions clothing drive. 

The drive aims to collect gently used professional clothing and accessories for deserving women in the community helping those in need make a professional first impression during work interviews or work experience.  

The clothes will be handed donated to the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre and the Family Resource Centre. AtWater representative Erika Mazzei said that clients of these organisations will be able to select outfits necessary to attend work and job interviews.  

“AtWater was founded by women and consists of mostly women and we know that dressing professionally is very important in the workplace,” Ms Mazzei said. “First impressions count for a lot. We believe that everything lies in a woman’s confidence and by empowering women we hope that their confidence shines through and that they are able to make a good first impression.” 

Like last year, the clothes drive is being held over the month of March to coincide with Honouring Women’s Month.  

“In 2012, we wanted to celebrate women in our community during Honouring Women’s Month and provide them with something they needed that wasn’t currently being done,” she said. “The office decided on holding a women’s clothing drive aimed at collecting business attire. We talked with those in leadership positions in a number of women’s organisations and they confirmed that this drive was needed. It aligned with our goal to empower women and affords them the opportunity to make professional first impressions in the workplace.” 

The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre works with women who have left unhealthy relationships and crisis situations, many of them arriving at the shelter after leaving what they have behind. The Family Resource Centre works with women and girls who, due to their situations, cannot afford to buy clothing for work experience and job placement. 

“Last year’s clothing drive was a larger success than we could have ever anticipated,” Ms Mazzei said. “The quantity and quality of clothing we received exceeded our expectations. We received more than 1,000 articles of clothing, 130 pairs of shoes, 35 handbags and a myriad of belts, jewellery and accessories to complete the outfit from numerous individuals and organisations such as British Caymanian Insurance Co. Ltd., Conyers Dill and Pearman, Deloitte & Touche, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, HSBC Bank (Cayman) Limited, Kelly Holding Ltd., Maples and Calder, Rotary Sunrise, Tower Marketing, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Walkers.” 

Pilar Bush, managing director of AtWater, said that the team is honoured to present these outstanding organisations with professional attire for women and young ladies.  

“In some cases, these women have had to run from crisis situations leaving behind clothes, personal effects and even toiletries,” Ms Bush said. “The strength and courage of these women who get up and put on a brave face despite their situations has motivated the AtWater team to hold its second annual Professional First Impressions.” 

AtWater is requesting that people donate gently used work appropriate dresses, tops, pants, skirts and suits, as well as shoes, handbags and accessories for formal to casual work environments throughout the month of March. Donations can be made at the AtWater offices, third floor, Marquee Plaza – above Triple Crown Pub – on the West Bay Road.