Three mums from East Dulwich are holding a community clothes swap in April to raise awareness of the environmental cost of fashion.
The swap, planned for April 23 in the Lordship Pub, will coincide with Earth Day (April 22) and Fashion Revolution’s ‘national swap week’ (April 20-26).
Fashion Revolution is a group of people and organisations working in fashion who want to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and improve its ethics.
Organisers Kath Lovett, Kellie Dalton, and Alaina Creedy said: “We have had enough of buying unethically sourced clothing, and were worried about the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and on the lives of the clothing industry workers.
“We set up this clothes swap as a perfect chance to refresh wardrobes, meet with friends and neighbours, plus understand more about how clothes are made, the materials used to make them – and why it matters.”
Kellie, who works as a sustainability advisor for fashion brands including Vivienne Westwood and Katharine Hamnett, will also give a talk about the industry’s social and environmental impact, and how consumers can help drive change.
Anyone joining should bring along their unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories from 5pm – 6.30pm.
They will be issued with a token for each item contributed. Tokens will also be available to buy on the night for just £2.
All proceeds will be divided between two organisations – Mary’s Living and Giving charity, and Plastic Free Dulwich.
Any remaining items not swapped will either be donated or recycled. As many items as possible are encouraged, as long as they aren’t from low-quality fast fashion brands.
The Great East Dulwich Clothes swap takes place on Thursday, April 23, in the Lordship Pub at 211 Lordship Lane.
Clothes drop-off is from 5-6.30pm, Kellie Dalton’s talk is from 7-7.15pm, before swapping starts at 7.15 until 9pm.