Dr Brett Staniland announced as BHF’s Retail Ambassador

Sustainable fashion advocate, model and Love Island star, Dr Brett Staniland, has been announced as a British Heart Foundation Retail Ambassador, joining Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson.

Dr Brett rose to fame in 2021 when he competed in season 7 of the hit dating show Love Island and was the first contestant in the show’s history to decline free clothes from the fast fashion sponsor, instead opting to wear his own wardrobe during his time on the show. With a PhD in Public Health, working on cardiovascular disease and lifestyle-related risk factors, Brett is also a model, editor and creator, focusing on sustainable fashion and championing a more responsible and ethical industry.

The pair visited the charity’s eBay warehouse to support the charity’s retail campaign ‘Discovery Awaits’, encouraging the nation to shop with the BHF this summer and discover all the hidden gems waiting to be found. The BHF’s eBay site is the largest charity retailer in the world, selling over 440,000 items each year and Kim and Brett spent the day rummaging through donations and picking out their favourite items.

Dr Brett Staniland said:

“This project is close to my heart. It may surprise people to know that my PhD is in cardiovascular disease and the British Heart Foundation has been really important in all the research I’ve been doing over the years. This also ties in with my love for second-hand fashion, so it’s the perfect combination. I’m delighted to be a retail ambassador for the BHF and it was fascinating to explore the charity’s eBay headquarters and see what absolute treasures they sell.”

Brett picked out a two-piece Christian Dior suit, a Hermes silk tie and a pair of Maison Margiela split-toe boots as his favourite items, all of which sold for an incredible £368.75!

Brett added: “The best part about shopping with the BHF is that all the money raised helps fund life-saving research.”

The retail ambassador role will see familiar faces, celebrities and influencers help the BHF raise as much money as possible through its shops, which helps fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases.

Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF) said:

“We are thrilled to have Brett join the BHF as our second retail ambassador.

“Not only is he an incredible advocate for sustainable fashion, loving all things preloved, but his PhD in cardiovascular disease means he really understands how important it is that the BHF continues to champion preloved shopping to fund this life-saving research.

“We’re really excited for Kimberly and Brett to fly the preloved flag and inspire the nation to shop and donate with us.”