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New Paris Store Sells Chanel for the Good of Madagascar

Believe it or not, the city of luxury shopping has finally birthed a store focused more on charity and less on marking items up to high heaven. Having opened yesterday in the middle of Paris' Fashion Week, Merci in the Marais is a boutique conceived by the owners of the "childrenswear couture house" Bonpoint. Seeking to turn their high-profile connections and retail know-how into a philanthropic mission, the pair will donate 100% of profits at Merci to a children's cause in Madagascar.

We know what you're thinking; they sell secondhand or overstock, right? As if! Merci is the result of three years of negotiating with brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney, Alexis Mabille and Marni to manufacture pieces specifically for their store, and since the designers are not taking any profits, "the items are priced at 30 percent to 40 percent less than the clothing in their own shops." With three stories, a perfume bar and a home department, Merci has also left space for the rare vintage finds, so you will find some secondhand here. Alas, it is Chanel, Dior and Burberry, and all for the good of Madagascar as well as your closet.

The concept is about as recession-friendly as one can get, and we don't expect this to be the end of it: "Offering designer wear and home goods as well as books, perfumes, flowers and food, the [owners] say Merci is Europe's first philanthropic store, and hope to open sister-shops in London, Milan, New York and Tokyo."

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· Fashion family decides to say 'Merci' [IHT]
· New Paris concept store to donate profits to Africa [The Age]
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