Posh Swaps Blog

There has been a lot of talk lately about sustainable clothes and eco fashion. Every day a new brand emerges that is in some better for the environment than conventional clothing and usually more ethically produced. But with fast fashion and the culture of buying cheaply (and often unethically) made high fashion clothing still highly popular and ‘environmental green washing’ becoming the new in phrase, what really can be done to make clothing more sustainable?

At Posh Swaps we believe that there is no right or wrong way to become more sustainable, anything that we can do, no matter how small is a positive step in the right direction. But there are some things that we can do that are likely to have a more positive effect than others.

1. Buy less clothes - it is quite simple really, the less clothes that we buy, the less environmental damage is caused in their manufacture and the less waste we make. Clothes swapping is a great alternative to buying clothes. It allows you to update your wardrobe without having an impact (or a very minimal impact on the environment)

2. Buy second hand clothes- this is the most eco friendly way to buy clothes. There is no additional carbon footprint (except for transport) associated with buying new clothes. But we understand that you cannot always find exactly what you want second hand and will sometimes need to buy new.

3. Buy quality clothes that will last, where possible in Eco friendly fabrics- fabrics made from recycled materials, probably have the smallest footprint as they do not have to be made from scratch. There is also the benefit of having saved materials that may have otherwise ended up in landfill. Other eco friendly fabrics including organic bamboo, cotton and hemp are all better than their conventional alternatives but still have a carbon footprint associated with their growth and manufacture and contribute to the problem of waste so should always be bought to last.

Finally, in order to ensure that your clothing is really sustainable, you should consider its whole life  cycle:

• Buy clothes to last
• Wash and dry (or clean) in as eco friendly manner as possible
• When you no longer need them recycle by selling or donating to charity.

Posh-swaps.com was at the Southbank Centre in London on Wednesday for the Sustainable Clothing Conference and update of the Sustainable Clothing Roadmap. The conference included entrance to Estethica, London Fashion Week’s sustainable trade show, a reception and address by Environment Minister Dan Norris.The conference brought together over 200 clothing industry representatives to discuss the ethical and environmental impacts of clothing.

One year on from the first sustainable action plan in which Posh Swaps pledged to promote recycling and reuse of clothes by encouraging clothes swapping and buying and selling of second hand clothes as well as other eco fashion and sustainable clothing. A further 40 companies and organisations have signed up to the action plan including British Retail Consortium, Ethical Fashion Forum, Forum for the Future, Levis Strauss, MADE-BY, Cotton Made in Africa, RSPCA, Society of Dyers and Colourists.

Since its creation the SCAP has brought together over 40 organisations, from high street retailers, to designers and textile manufacturers to battle the environmental and ethical impacts of ‘throw away’ fashion.  Some of the biggest names in fashion are working to take actions which will make a significant difference to the environmental footprint and social inequalities which blight some of the consumer fashion supply chain.

Many of the initiatives from the original action plan are now well underway including Tesco’s new sustainable clothing range in collaboration with From Somewhere which will launch this Spring and the Oxfam ‘Clothes Exchange’ partnership with M&S.

There was also the announcement of a £3.5 million fund to be made available over 3 years by the Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector (RAGS) fund for bids from organisations who want to make the clothing business more ethical and contribute more strongly to development in poor countries.

Swish 3rd - Cancer Research

06 Mar 2010 19:00

Venue: St. Gregorys Social Club, Swarcliffe Leeds

This is the third Swish Party I will have organised; only this time this one is at a Venue!

I charge £5 for tickets and ALL PROCEEDS go to Cancer Research UK as the kind people at St. Gregorys are letting me have the room for free!

If you would like to come or donate a prize for our Raffle; please email me at nickicarney@aol.co.uk

Thanks

Nicola

Email: nickicarney@aol.co.uk

Kid Frock Harrogate

11 Mar 2010 10:00

Venue: withheld…

A SWISHING EVENTS FOR JUST KIDS CLOTHES

AGES 0-6

£6 ADMISSION FEE

FREE MAKEOVERS & NAIL TREATMENTS

RING 01423 505368

Email: info@pacaconcept.co.uk

Clothes swap party hosted by Carbootles

23 Feb 2010 19:30

Venue: The Plough, Northfields Avenue, Northfields

The FIRST BIG CARBOOTLES clothes swap of 2010!

Carbootles have hosted many a clothes swap party gaining the experience needed to make any clothes swap run smoothly enabling all guests to enjoy the clothes swap scramble! Hehe….

Please don’t hesitate to contact Christina with any questions you may have either by phone or email.

To join the Carbootles mailing list email info@carbootles.co.uk subject header ‘mailing list’. You can also join our facebook group page - just search Carbootles.

Peace out!

Email: info@carbootles.co.uk

Dr Challoners High School ‘Big Swish’

12 Mar 2010 19:00

Venue: Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Buckinghamshire

A senior school Swishing Party for girls & parents to raise funds. All female event, entry £5, get exchange token for quality clean pressed items you bring along (max 5). Viewing from 7pm - Swish begins at 7.45pm. Girly drinks & nibbles available - great night out!

Email: committee@dchs-pa.org.uk

The Shelford Swish

12 Mar 2010 20:00

Venue: Great Shelford Memorial Hall

The Great Shelford Swish promises to be the glam, feel good event of the Spring for Cambridge ladies.

Email: alison_j_denton@waitrose.co.uk

Frugal Fashionista Clothing Swap

21 Mar 2010 12:00

Venue: Orgasmic, York

A whole new wardrobe for only £5 entry fee (pay on the day on entry)
which all goes to a great cause- the British Heart Foundation.

If you haven\’t been able to afford to treat yourself to any new fashion pieces lately because of this crazy credit crunch then this is the perfect event for you to come and cheer yourself up…..Come to enjoy a fun afternoon with friends and SWAP not SHOP!!
Clothes swap parties are a sociable, fun, exciting eco-chic way of shopping. You can refresh your wardrobes and feel fabulous with your newly exchanged finds. You and your girlfriends can be sure to enjoy an evening of fun, fashion & treats in style
Bring in your nice, quality, clean clothes, shoes, bags and accessories that you haven\’t worn for ages or simply dont fit anymore and swap then for a whole new refreshed wardrobe- it couldnt be simpler.
Drop in to the upstairs at Orgasmic Bar in York from 12 onwards to early evening time, bring in any items you want, refreshments available from the bar and you can also treat yourself to some sweet treats on sale- remember it is all in the name of CHARITY!!
Hope to see you all there!

Email: nicthechick8@hotmail.com

THE CITY SWISH

24 Mar 2010 18:00

Venue: London, South African High Commission, Trafalgar Square,

Get your stylish girlfriends together for a fabulous evening of clothes swapping, bubbly and treats! Raid your wardrobe for three gorgeous pieces that are unworn or that you no longer wear to swap for other lovely pieces in return. Friends and fashion - what a perfect evening out!

Buy tickets now at www.starfishcharity.org

Bring: Shirts, tops, skirts, dresses, jumpers, cardies, trousers, coats, jackets, shoes, handbags, necklaces or scarves simply bring them to be swapped 1 for 1 for some lovely new pieces for your wardrobe.

Don\’t bring: As we like to keep the exchange as fair as possible, please leave at home the shabby old bits that you aren’t wearing simply because they are worn out. Please bring between 3 and 10 clean quality items that you would be proud to pass on.

Why should I go? Swishing is a sociable, fun, exciting eco-chic way of shopping. You can refresh your wardrobes and feel fabulous with your newly exchanged finds. You and your girlfriends can be sure to enjoy an evening of fun, fashion & treats in style.

About Starfish Starfish Greathearts Foundation is an international development charity, aiming to bring life, hope and opportunity to children orphaned or made vulnerable by the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. Starfish supports community based organisations providing services at grassroots level in the areas of crisis intervention, community support and building sustainable capacity. Starfish relies on the support of individuals across the globe to help provide a positive response - one child at a time. For more on Starfish information, please email ukinfo@starfishcharity.org or visit www.starfishcharity.org.

Where your money goes? This event has been sponsored by Investec so that 100% of the ticket price goes directly to the children Starfish support.

Email: alice.gilkes@starfishcharity.org

SWISH - Plymouth’s Biggest Clothes Swapping Party

26 Mar 2010 18:30

Venue: Plymouth Guildhall

SWISH - Plymouth\’s Biggest Clothes Swapping Party! TICKET ONLY event. Available in advance £8 each: 01752 492626.
Doors open at 6.30pm - Browsing from 7.30pm
SWISH countdown at 9pm!
RETAIL & BEAUTY STANDS, PERSONAL STYLISTS, CATWALK SHOWS, ENTERTAINMENT, BAR & REFRESHMENTS …PLUS…FANTASTIC MAKEOVER STAND TO HELP YOU RESTYLE & FIT YOUR OLD/NEW GARMENTS!!
Book early to avoid disappointment: 01752 492626
www.stlukes-hospice.org.uk

Email: events@stlukes-hospice.org.uk

The Pink Shoe Spring Swish

31 Mar 2010 18:00

Venue: Westminster

Spring clean your wardrobe & swap your quality cast-offs over fizz & nibbles in luxurious surroundings! To support Dress for Success, helping disadvantaged women back into work so bring an extra interview-ready outfit if you can!

Email: info@pinkshoeclub.com

For the second season at New York Fashion Week, the Green Shows featured a range of global eco designers and brands sending a very clear message that New York can do green with style. The collections featured a range of ecofriendly fabrics including recycled and upcycled, organic and sustainable fabrics.

The Green Shows opened with an extravagant and elaborate couture , inspired collection, by London designer Gary Harvey featuring recycled clothes made into beautiful full skirted outfits.

Another fresh and charming collection was by Samantha Pleet whose organic cotton and wool clothes are made in a wind powered manufacturing facility in New York. Her designs are young and fresh and worn by a number of indie bands. This time her collection featured some very desirable pieces, simple but with a touch of fantasy.

JoAnn Berman’s colourful and eclectic collection was made using recycled and upcycled materials.

There was plenty more in terms of creative and wearable eco fashion at The Green Shows. John Partick Organic showed his collection at the main fashion week and has long been a shining example of Eco fashion in New York. His collection featured elegant and timeless pieces inspired by Lady Di and Joni Mitchell. Classic and nostalgic with some great tailoring.

picture from Home Green

This week our Green Chic friends have some great posts from the winter olympics to give aways and peace necklaces. More ethical, eco and cruelty free glamour and style than you could ever want.

Factio Magazine is giving away some fab eco-chic gifts from Pottery Barn and West Elm!
Guiltless & Glamorous reports on the fur controversy surrounding the 2010 Winter Olympics..
Home Green loves Canada for making the Olympic metals from recycled metals– Not only are they beautiful but eco-friendly as well!
Posh Swaps checks out some very gorgeous and sustainable Second Hand Style by Captive Studio
Runway To Retail - Chicago designer, Lana Bramlette, hit the jackpot when her “Peace” necklace made the cover of the most recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
Shopping and Info is giving away a great Chelsea Messenger bag from Aspinal of London.

Today we have some great examples of second hand style and how you can make great outfits with thrifted or secondhand clothes. The photographs were sent to us by Cynthia, who has a website and Etsy shop selling beautiful re-purposed clothing, purses, hats and lovely accessories.

This piece is adorable, it has a lot of vintage stuff on it. The fringe is actually off of an old drama curtain. It hangs beautifully around this lace and satin ruffle. She added a few bobbles with the vintage earring broach it is removable for dry cleaning. Every thing in this piece is up-cycled for new use.

vintage slip remade, skirt goodwill, boots thrifted‏

This is a really darling coat. It just glitters with thoughts of the holiday season. Small multi-color sequins have been sewn on the coat for the festive feel. Great for over your special party dress. Looks super with jeans as well.

Today we have some great examples of second hand style and how you can make great outfits with thrifted or secondhand clothes. The photographs were sent by Cynthia, who has a website and Etsy shop selling beautiful re-purposed clothing, purses, hats and lovely accessories.

The Fashionable Housewife delves in to the The Beauty Double-Bind. The current beauty standard that women are supposed to live up to is a classic double-bind situation. Read more about it in our informative article and find out how you can break the cycle.
Factio Magazine checks out LaROCCA Skincare,a new line of products using 24K gold and it’s all eco-friendly!
Guiltless & Glamorous gives a Valentine’s Day preview of LUSH’s lush-ious products.
Home Greenfinds out ways to put a little green into your Valentine’s Day
Looking Sharp checks out her first thrift store in Pittsburgh and falls in love.
Posh Swaps checks out designer T shirts at EJF to support the charity’s work ending forced child labour in the cotton industry in the post No more slaves to fashion.
Runway To Retail loves CHI Organics combs: The Olive Nutrient Therapy Combs use the benefits of olive oil and The Sandalwood Collection, we can’t stop smelling.
Shopping and Info needs the puffer jacket Reese Witherspoon wore in the rain for Fashion Week in New York City.

Picture from Factio Magazine

Over 30 international models and celebrities have stepped up to be photographed in EJF’s 2010 summer collection of designer organic cotton t-shirts by Jenny Packham, Richard Nicoll, Ciel and Alice Temperley in support of the charity’s work ending forced child labour in the cotton industry.

The organic cotton t-shirts will be available in stores internationally and will be available from EJF’s own website www.ejfoundation.org/shop for men and women for only £30 for SS10.

Cover girls and catwalk regulars including Noemie Lenoir, Noot Seear, Lui Wen, Arlenis Sosa, Lakshmi Menon, Constance Jablonski, Poppy Delevigne and Devon Aoki, have been photographed in the exclusive t-shirts for the ‘Pick Your Cotton Carefully’ campaign - with most taking part in photo shoots organised by New York based fashion photographer Eric Guillemain.

They join a stellar line up of existing supporters including Lily Cole, Coco Rocha, Elise Crombez and Sophie Ellis Bextor who have also modelled EJF’s eco-chic t-shirts.

Other designer supporters include Giles Deacon, John Rocha, Betty Jackson, Christian Lacroix, Luella, Allegra Hicks, Zandra Rhodes and Katharine Hamnett

They are designed around the theme of “childhood, lost innocence and hope” and highlight EJF’s newly released and highly anticipated report called “Slave Nation” on their campaign to end forced child labour in the world’s 3rd largest cotton exporter, Uzbekistan.

An estimated 1 million children, some as young as 10 years old, were dispatched to Uzbekistan’s cotton fields during the recent harvest. Uzbek child workers are often subjected to squalid living conditions paid little or nothing and illnesses including hepatitis and even deaths are all reported.

EJF’s t-shirts are made with organic and fairly traded Continental cotton from Turkey and printed with organic certified inks. The money raised from the sale of the t-shirts helps EJF’s work to eradicate forced child labour and the use of dangerous pesticides from cotton production.

Alice Temperley says: “I wanted to make this T shirt for the Environmental Justice Foundation, to help those poor innocent children with no way out, no dreams of their own and in order to highlight the chronic and severe exploitation across the industry.”

Juliette Williams, Director of EJF, says: “In the past few years there has been a huge international effort to try to resolve the problem of state-sponsored child labour in Uzbekistan and we’re thrilled with the support EJF has been given to bring change to this industry. But there is still some way to go and the time is now to really turn up the pressure and stop this madness.”

Buying a t-shirt or making a donation online is a positive step shoppers can take to support EJF’s work from www.ejfoundation.org - helping them protect the environment and defend human rights of vulnerable communities around the world and fashion an end to forced child labour.

If you are looking for a clothes swap party or swish for February, then look no further, here are some of the main events taking place this month.

Dolly Mixtures

11 Feb 2010 17:00

Venue: Electric Circus, 36-39 Market Street, Edinburgh.

DOLLY MIXTURES (weekly from 14th January, except 28th)
doors 5pm, £3 in advance, £6 on the door for the whole evening – call 0131 226 4224 for group bookings
Beat those January blues with high tea, cocktails, swishing/clothes swapping, tribute acts and party tunes till the wee hours.
Bring the girls along for some high tea nibbles, teapot cocktails or a nice bottle of wine and have a rummage through our stalls of vintage clothes, hand made jewellery and cute crafts. Bring along a quality unwanted item from your wardrobe and when the bell rings swish away!
Then settle in for a top night of entertainment! A sensational sing-along with a top tribute act every week, then kick off your shoes and have a dance with our party tunes dolly mixture djs till it’s time for bed. This is set to be the finest ladies night in town!
Live sets – 14/01 – Madonna, 21/01 – Robbie Williams, 4/02 – Abba, 11/02 – Kylie
Drinks from £1.50

University of the Arts London Student SwapShop

11 Feb 2010 18:00

Venue: UAL HUB, London

Fashion SwapShop
Thursday 11th February
HUB Davies Street
6pm-9pm

MA Fashion and the Environment students in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion host UAL SwapShop!

Presentation on the importance of reuse and swapping from TRAID,
Clothing customising workshops,
and for one night only in London - Mercatino Michela Italian Vintage Stall

If that second installment of student loan has gone already come and update your wardrobe the SwapShop way!

Save money, save the planet

Search your wardrobe for garments you never wear, bring them along, and swap them for ones you will wear and love! Come along any time with your unwanted clothing.

See you there!

Harpenden Frock Exchange

12 Feb 2010 19:00

Venue: St Nicholas Hall, Church Green, Harpenden

1st Harpenden Frock Exchange. Browsing starts 7.30pm, swishing starts 8.15pm prompt. Come along and join the fun!
£5 on door, includes glass of wine. In support of Cancer Research and Needy Young Persons Project.

Brighton Swish

13 Feb 2010 15:00

Venue: Latest Music Bar, 14-17 Manchester Street, Brighton, BN2 1TF

Bring styles and smiles for swopping joy.

FREE -3-7pm

We will have nutritionists, massage therapists, reflexologists and style consultants on hand for free feel good sessions and tips.

The first event of many.

Email: dibbosback@yahoo.co.uk

HARROGATE FROCK EXCHANGE

18 Feb 2010 19:00

Venue: PACA HARROAGTE

£6 admission fee

Free make overs and nail treatments on the night.

Ring 01423 505368 for more info

Email: info@pacaconcept.co.uk

Clothes Exchange and Competitive Cupcakes

20 Feb 2010 14:30

Venue: The HiFi Club, Leeds

Everyone has a collection of unworn shopping-spree residue that doesn’t fit but sits at the back of the wardrobes, crumpled and rejected. HiFi Club knows this and aims to provide an outlet for these unloved possessions by holding a swap shop on Saturday’s. £2 will get you into the first event on 20th February and from 2pm to 5.30pm people will be free to exchange what clean, well kept clothes they have with them.

If the prospect of new clothes wasn’t enough, HiFi are holding the Swap Shop in unison with a themed cupcake competition that will offer prizes to the top three cupcakes. This month’s theme is music - so if you can’t handle the wardrobe, get into the kitchen!

20 February, The HiFi Club, 2 Central Road, LS1 6DE, 0113 242 7353, 2pm-5.30pm, £2 (free with a cupcake entry). All bakers must register by emailing sophie@thehificlub.co.uk. For more information, visit the Facebook page by searching for ‘Clothes Exchange and Competitive Cupcakes’

Email: sophie@thehificlub.co.uk

The Happiness Centre Swish

21 Feb 2010 10:00

Venue: The Happiness Centre, 32a Leeds Road, Ilkley

Come to The Happiness Centre Swish in Ilkley. 10am-5pm. If you can drop off your clothes to swap before the event that would be great. £10 entry includes snacks & drinks Call 01943-601517 or email Gerda for more details. our website address is www.liftthespirithealthesoul.com

Email: info@liftthespirithealthesoul.com

Swapaholics Swishing Event, London

21 Feb 2010 13:00

Venue: Juno, 134-135 Shoreditch High Street, London

We’re back by popular demand. A nice civilised swishing event. You won’t end up feeling like you have just endured the worst sale shopping of your life.

We will be holding the swish at Juno, a cool bar in Shoreditch where you will be able to grab a spot of lunch from their great menu.

Bring a minimum of five items to swap CLEAN new or gently worn clothes, shoes, accessories or anything another woman would love.

No undies!!! (apart from the ones you are wearing, of course)

If everyone makes a pledge to bring these items, we are guaranteed to have a great time and go home happy bunnies

When you arrive we take your items and sort them into categories. You go into the bar and have a few drinks and a natter with your friends until browsing time commences.

Browsing time allows everyone to see what is available, try items on and see if you LOVE them. Then the swap rounds begin and you can take what you want for free. If two or more swappers want the same item, we hold a raffle and the winner is the lucky new owner. I will be available to give style advice to anyone who needs it.

All items left at the end of the event will be donated to charity.

This is a ticket only event. Tickets cost a credit busting fiver and need to be paid for in advance. We have limited number of tickets available so you need to grab one fast. Please go to www.raejames-personalstylist.com/page9.htm for more information and to purchase tickets.

For more details please contact me at
tracey@raejames-personalstylist.com

Factio Magazine checks out eco-chic store Sofia Vintage. The chic second-hand shop hosted a media friendly affair recently with vintage fashion tips, stylish people watching and flowing cocktails.
Fashion Pulse Daily finds some great ways to shop and help Haiti- from buying flip-flops to grooming products.
Guiltless & Glamorous is disappointed with this year’s cruelty-free red carpet picks at the Grammys…or lack thereof
Home Greenloves clothes made from bamboo because they are fashionable, affordable and sustainably produced Plus, they feel like silk or cashmere- watch out cotton!
Posh Swaps looks at the latest eco fashion designer collection in her post Christopher Raeburn SS10 – recycling at its best
Runway To Retail checks out eco-chic beauty, trying Desert Essence Organics!
Shopping and Info loves this lilac Balenciaga bag for Spring 2010 because it is the hot color of the season AND it is pre owned for 50% off retail.