Charity Shop Clothing Challenge Draws Support From Courteney Cox
A year-long challenge centered on wearing only charity shop clothing has gained the attention of Hollywood actor Courteney Cox. After learning about Caroline Jones' Knickers Model's Own initiative, the Friends and Scream star contributed a Yves Saint Laurent handbag from her own collection to enhance the projects second-hand wardrobe.
Jones, 57, from Harpenden, originally launched the challenge in 2015 in tribute to her mother, Mary Benson, who passed away from breast cancer. For 365 days she styled herself exclusively in items sourced from charity shops, sharing each outfit on social media. She has returned to the challenge this year in recognition of the tenth anniversary.
In a social media clip where Cox tosses the black designer bag to Jones, the actor noted that the accessory had accompanied her to numerous events over the years. Cox described the project as remarkable and expressed her desire to contribute.
Jones said creating the short film felt surreal. She explained that she immediately welcomed Coxs involvement and saw it as a generous gesture with deep meaning. Incorporating the treasured YSL bag into her second-hand ensembles felt almost dreamlike.
Jones mother, who died in 2014, volunteered at the Cancer Research UK store in Harpenden. Jones said the shop and the organisation were important to her mother and that the Knickers Model's Own campaign was created in her memory. She added that the project had helped her navigate her grief while allowing her to share her passion for second-hand fashion. She recalled the exceptional generosity of donors and the strong sense of community support she felt throughout the original challenge.
To commemorate a decade since launching the campaign, which previously raised 69,000, Jones has committed to a new year of second-hand styling in 2025. She plans to use Coxs donated bag to further highlight the initiative and will offer it in a free prize draw running for twelve days from 1 December.
Jones described the celebrity involvement as a rare and meaningful moment. She hopes it will elevate the campaign as the year comes to a close and encourages more people to participate. She added that many friends and family members have faced cancer since her initial challenge, strengthening her resolve to take on the project once more. She noted with humor that her knickers remain entirely her own.
