Combining fashion with social inclusion is not always easy. The civic association P(L)UTO has managed to do this several times in a row—through winter and summer campaigns with “Clothes Make the Person.” In the second half of November, the doors of the original shop Plutošop, based on a social enterprise model, opened in the Old Town of Bratislava. And it did not end there—the pre-Christmas Pluto-flea event followed.

The civic association P(l)uto offered its own way of self-fulfillment and integration for socially disadvantaged groups—by having fashion accessories and clothes made by people on the edge of society itself. The idea of the philanthropic project is carried out in several lines: sewing smaller items in sheltered workshops and social care facilities complements the main project: a limited edition of original women’s tops made in the sheltered workshop Dom svitania in Jakubovo—according to designs by the well-known fashion designer Boris Haneček.

Pluto products and products of sheltered workshops With the opening of Plutošop at 13 Panská Street in Bratislava, activities from last year were continued. The plan of the founders of OZ P(l)uto was to open a “social enterprise” that would provide direct help (work and wages) for people at risk of social exclusion. Plutošop functions as a charity shop with “vintage” fashion as well as 777 quality books and records. In the first place, however, it is a pre-Christmas sale of products from Pluto production and items from sheltered workshops and DSS-ies.

A charitable flea market was also opened before Christmas Many wonder what will be done with the proceeds from the sale of these Pluto products. Selling original tops and other accessories made provides motivation and space for self-realization for clients from specific social institutions, while at the same time ensuring finances for the continuation of the project. For all the people involved, however, money is not the only thing that matters, but also a gesture of encouragement and support from customers. People who are socially excluded often lack this sense of necessity and importance.

Because in the winter period there is even more need to help, the Pluto activists decided to expand their bold plan with additional related activities: in the passage on Panská Street 13, alongside Plutošop, another space will be used for a month so that more people can get a chance at the same time. Specifically, by setting up the first charitable flea market in Bratislava. Visitors will be able to buy original Christmas gifts there for a symbolic amount until December 22, write down good deeds in Pluto notebooks, warm up with punch or tea, and above all support socially disadvantaged people in a human and financial way (women without work or without a home, sales assistants from the Nota Bene network). More at: www.ozpluto.sk

Where you can find Plutošop:

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