Behind the door: fashion-packed online auction is raising money to tackle female homelessness

From cooking lessons with Skye McAlpine at her home in Venice to a shopping spree at Matches Fashion, these are incredible auction prizes for an important cause
Matches Fashion
Naomi May16 March 2021

It’s estimated that between 2019 and 2020, in London alone, 1,750 women were homeless. It’s a stark and harrowing figure.

It is precisely this issue of female homelessness that East London’s Museum of Home is aiming to raise funds for with its upcoming Behind the Door auction, which boasts donations from Matches Fashion, Anya Hindmarch and Skye McAlpine.

Behind the Door is a partnership between the Museum of Home, formerly the Geffrye Museum, and the London Homeless collective, which is a group comprising more than 25 charities including Shelter and Centrepoint, with the aim of ending female homelessness by 2025.

Among the 40 prizes up for grabs is a bespoke Anya Hindmarch Ultimate Box, a trip to Italy for a cooking session with Skye McAlpine at her home in Venice and a personalised shopping experience voucher to spend at Matches Fashion’s 5 Carlos Place flagship.

“I am delighted and proud to be supporting this important initiative to end the tragedy that is female homelessness,” says McAlpine, “This issue, sadly ever-present in our society, feels all the more pressing now in these socially distanced times and at this time of heightened vulnerability when more than ever we need to rally together - and will draw comfort and strength from doing so.”

According to Shelter, one child becomes homeless in Britain every eight minutes, while approximately 28 per cent of those accessing homeless accommodation in 2019 were women.

The Museum of Home will re-open in May after a three-year closure and an £18.1 million renovation. The site was previously known as The Geffrye Museum because it is based in 18th century almshouses built with funds from Sir Robert Geffrye. 

The full selection of the auction lots on offer is available to read here, but highlights include:

  • A bespoke Anya Hindmarch’s Ultimate Box.
  • An exclusive cooking experience for four with Skye McAlpine at her home in Venice, Italy
  • Cocktails and dinner at Claridges, including dessert by Executive chef Martyn Nail and hair colour with stylist, Sally Northwood at George Northwood, London.
  • A wallpaper panel painting masterclass at luxury wallpaper studio de Gournay, creators of the finest hand-painted and hand-embroidered wallcoverings.
  • Join perfumer, Maya Njie, for a workshop delving into her artisanal blends and scents inspired by her own Swedish and West African roots.
  • Give your wardrobe a new lease of life with a personalised shopping experience and shopping voucher to spend at 5 Carlos Place with Matches Fashion.
  • Detox with a bespoke wellness package for mind and body from Detox Kitchen, Victoria Health and Alexandra Soveral.
  • Receive a beautiful selection of ceramic pieces from Faye Toogood's new Dough range, including two mugs, a bowl, platter, vase, a centrepiece and a pitcher for your home
  • Take part in a personal studio tour with sculptural artist, Amy Revier.
  • Enjoy an afternoon tea for two at the magnificent stately home, Holkham Hall, followed by a tour of The New Craftsmen’s Portrait of a Place exhibition. You will also be treated to overnight accommodation at the charming Victoria Inn, allowing you to spend the weekend exploring the picturesque surroundings of North Norfolk.
  • An interiors consultation with Maria Speake, founder of Retrouvius interior design.
  • Cosy up with a handwoven alpaca throw by Catarina Riccabona.
  • Enjoy an interior design consultation with Gabby Deeming of House and Garden.
  • Design and take home your own Host Home hand blown glass candlesticks.

The online auction launches 19 March 2021 and all proceeds will be donated to the Behind the Door campaign.

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