Getting his just deserts? Manchester start-up mocks Johnson with ‘Eton Mess’ design – with 50% of profits going to local foodbank

3 years ago

Manchester fashion brand K, Babe – an offshoot of disability-conscious clothing company, Kintsugi – has announced that 50% of the profit from sales of a t-shirt mocking Boris Johnson will go to Manchester Central Foodbank.

The t-shirt features a graphic design resembling the prime minister alongside the words ‘Eton Mess’. It’s an item that has seen increased customer interest recently, prompting the company’s founder Emma McClelland to reach out to the foodbank.

McClelland, 33, said: “Manchester Central Foodbank is critical for the number of people in Manchester experiencing food poverty – a number that has grown under the Covid-19 pandemic and, in my view, under a Conservative government.

“When I noticed the uptick in sales of this particular design I saw an opportunity to divert some of the profits to an organisation that, in my opinion, works overtime to counterbalance the government’s inaction on food poverty, as do many other charities – and Marcus Rashford!

“Each month, we’ll match the amount made from sales of the t-shirt, before donating it to the foodbank. I hope we can make a significant impact and that anyone who’s bought one shares a photo of themselves wearing it for lockdown 3.0 morale!”

A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that issues with the administration of benefits, the sufficiency of benefit payments and eligibility for benefits were among the main factors driving people in the UK into destitution. The Trussell Trust's #5WeeksTooLong campaign highlights how the five-week wait for a first Universal Credit payment is pushing people into poverty.

To donate directly to Manchester Central Foodbank, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/m-c-f

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Additional Notes:

K, Babe
K, Babe is the sister brand of Kintsugi Clothing, a disability-conscious clothing company founded in 2018 by first-time entrepreneur Emma McClelland. K, Babe was created in 2020 and sells clothing and accessories that “are all about giving the middle finger, challenging societal misconceptions - particularly those surrounding disability, sexuality and gender - and being unashamedly feminist”.
To read more about the brand, visit https://kbabe.co.uk/pages/about-us

Manchester Central Foodbank
Manchester Central Foodbank, part of The Trussell Trust network, is a student-led charity serving emergency food to people in crisis. They provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them, working with over 100 professional front-line care organisations.

To donate directly to Manchester Central Foodbank, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/m-c-f

Attached Media

About Kintsugi Clothing

Kintsugi is an inclusive clothing brand, named after the Japanese art form of mending broken pottery with gold (rendering it more unique and more valuable; not less). Since February 2019, Kintsugi has been creating useful, accessible clothing, designed with disabled women in mind. Fastenings are made easier, utility is added and consideration is given to how each garment will work in the seated position (i.e. in a wheelchair). Kintsugi's clothing looks no different aesthetically to any other piece of on-trend apparel, so can be worn by anybody, whether they are disabled or not. The brand stocks its clothing in sizes 8 - 20 and is planning to expand this range. Diversity and inclusion are integral to what Kintsugi does, and challenging perceptions around disability and size is a key driver. The company was founded by Emma McClelland, a former features writer and editor.

Press Contacts

Emma McClelland

Founder/Director

07738356038

emma@kintsugiclothing.com