We spoke to Jane Lu, founder and CEO of Showpo, to hear her perspective on purpose and partnership.
Tell us about Showpo – who you are, what you stand for, and the community of women you’ve built the brand around.
Showpo is a global fashion brand built on a simple idea: fashion for everyone. We create accessible, feel-good pieces designed to help women feel confident and like themselves, no matter their shape, size, or stage of life. The Showpo girl isn’t just who we design for, she’s embedded in how we build, evolve, and show up every day.
How did Showpo first connect with The Hunger Project? What was it about the work that resonated and made it feel like more than just a partnership?
We started with sample sales in Sydney CBD in 2018, raising $60,000, and what began as a one-off became something much bigger. When COVID hit, we evolved into THP-specific collections to make fundraising more sustainable. What’s kept us together is a shared belief: women are the solution. Just like us, The Hunger Project puts women at the centre.
Your journey as a founder is inspiring in its own right – how does women’s economic empowerment, both here and globally, shape the way you think about Showpo’s purpose?
It’s deeply personal. My family immigrated from China when I was 8 with nothing, and I grew up equating financial security with freedom. I spent years doing what felt responsible rather than right. Showpo came from finally taking a risk, failing, and trying again. Our purpose is to encourage women to be brave, back themselves, and take chances. That’s why The Hunger Project
partnership makes sense: we both believe women are powerful drivers of lasting change.
The THP range is a tangible way for your customers to get involved – what has the response been like, and what does it mean to bring your community along on this mission?
The response has been overwhelming. Our customers get it immediately, they’re not just buying something they love, they’re backing women who are changing their communities. The Showpo girl has always wanted to show up and take action. This partnership gives her a way to do it.
Last year’s Sydney activation was a real moment – what was it like to see your community show up for THP in such a visible way, and what did it tell you about your customers?
It brought everything to life. They didn’t just show up, they bought a tee, donated, and engaged with the cause. It reinforced what we already know – our customers act, especially when it comes to female empowerment.
What would you say to other fashion brands thinking about embedding genuine purpose into what they do?
Don’t treat purpose as something you layer on. It has to be built into how you operate. When it’s genuine, customers feel it. When it’s not, they see through it just as quickly.