Pair empower fellow women

Waikiki mums Tina Bill and Veronica Galipo are helping domestic violence victims get their lives back on track through their love of vintage clothes.

Ms Bill, a mother-of two, said she and Ms Galipo, who co-own pre-loved clothing company Vintage Illusion, wanted to give Lucy Saw Centre Women’s Refuge residents a “pick-me-up” to help boost self-esteem.

She said the duo planned to offer morning tea and fashion advice at their Waikiki base, while residents browsed their extensive range of Gatsby-era goodies.

“We wanted to find a way to help single mums feel good about themselves again and to show them that there are people out there who care,” she said.

“It’s about empowering women — we want to be able to provide them with a nice outfit to wear to a job interview, house viewing or date night.”

Also a mother-of-two, Ms Galipo said the idea developed through a Facebook nomination initiative to give away an outfit to a deserving woman.

She said the pair had become a little obsessed with scouring op shops to find suitable items to add to their collection, since establishing Vintage Illusion last year.

“We have a passion for the 1920s — we have lots of different items here but if there is something one of the ladies wants that we don’t have, we will find it,” she said.

Lucy Saw Centre manager Anne Moore said residents at the centre had often gone through a difficult time and believed the Vintage Illusion idea was an excellent way to help women feel better about themselves.