Posh Swaps Blog

For those blushing brides who want to look their absolute best on their big day without worrying about what impact their dress has on the environment, they will be pleased to hear that a new website has been launched which features wedding dresses that are produced in India and Nepal, under strict fair-trade conditions using eco and sustainable fibres and fabrics. Tamman Wedding Collection, who also offer a bespoke service as well as their internet service, were inspired to create these stunning dresses from details of Indian and Tibetan traditional dress style, mixed with futuristic ideas from creative art.

With prices starting from £450, there may be brides out there who still want to have their perfect wedding dress, do their bit for the environment, whilst keeping to a budget- and what better place to start looking than Posh-Swaps.com! Posh-Swaps is the website to swap, buy and sell unwanted clothing and accessories- so you could find yourself with a beautiful wedding dress that has only been worn the once- for FREE! And at the same time, perhaps swap it for that something in your wardrobe that you don’t wear anymore!

However, if you are a bride who has already had her perfect day, then another great way to help save the environment is to recycle your wedding dress by either swapping or selling it online. You may find that you are happy to swap it, and if your dress is worth a few hundred pounds, you may be able to negotiate a swap for a few more items of clothing- perhaps a pair of shoes, jeans, and a new top, or anything else which you have perhaps been thinking about having to update your wardrobe!

Picture taken from www.daisygreenmagazine.co.uk

Posh Swaps has just had its first birthday and in celebration, we are holding a great prize draw during the month of May. Anyone who lists clothes to swap on Posh-swaps.com during May 2010 will be automatically entered into the draw. For each item listed you will get one entry into the draw so the more items that you list, the more chance you will have of winning. The winners will be drawn at the beginning of June and notified by email, all prizes should be claimed within 2 weeks or there will be a redraw to determine a new winner. So here is what you can win:

First Prize - £100 of shoe vouchers for Spartoo.co.uk (this prize is only available to those resident in the UK) - take your pick of some of the latest styles of shoes and handbags including some great designer brands.

Second Prize - a new Initial wallet by Lollipops Paris - a large and well organised purse with large coin pocket and sections for notes and cards, this is the perfect balance of style and practicality.

Third Prizes - three lucky winners can take their pick of one item from our own Posh Swaps swapping account. With a selection of second hand accessories and clothes in a variety of sizes (and a few vintage pieces).

Runners Up - ten runners up will each recieve one of our stylish reusuable Posh Swaps cotton bags.

ThePrizeFinder - UK Competitions

Posh-Swaps.com have announced that we are celebrating our first birthday at the end of April 2010! Our website, which is fast becoming a popular place to swap, buy and sell clothes, will celebrate the occasion with a fantastic prize-draw for anyone that registers and lists clothes to swap during the month of May 2010, with prizes to be won including £100 of shoe vouchers! The website was launched almost a year ago for people to do clothes swapping for free.

There are other clothes swapping websites which have introduced fees everytime someone swaps, buys or sells, but we have no plans to do so ourselves. The aim of the free service is to encourage everyone to swap clothes without the need to throw them away, and so recycling them to do our bit for the environment.

This first year has certainly been a busy one for us at Posh-Swaps, with plenty of successful online swaps and two swapping parties (known as swishing) held in Chiswick and in Bath. Clothes swapping is becoming increasingly popular lately, as it is a great way to refresh your wardrobe- gaining new clothes and discarding others which you never wear, and thanks to Posh-Swaps, all for FREE! You also get a great sense of having done a really good thing for the environment, by reducing what goes to the landfill sites and reducing the environmental impacts associated with the manufacturing of new clothes.

Our website constantly keeps you up to date with the latest fashion and eco-fashion news with plenty of different blog posts published each week, plus a fantastic newsletter that gets sent out every fortnight to let ypu know of the latest items available for swapping.

Picture taken from www.ask.com

The famous fashion sport’s brand O’Neill has announced the launch of their new collection called ECO’Neill- a collection that is made entirely out of eco-friendly and sustainable materials in a new attempt at ‘doing their bit’ for the environment, and so reduce O’Neill’s carbon footprint. As O’Neill is one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to surfing products, the launch (which will be released next Spring), comes to us as extremely good news as they are seen to many as role models for other surfing and sporting brands.

The collection includes board shorts with fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, basic t-shirts, tanks and beanies made entirely from 100 percent organic cotton, and novelty t-shirts and tanks made from 100 percent organic cotton slub jersey. Advertising the new eco-collection is reggae artist and waterman Mishka, who completely supports the launch. He will promote his latest album release ‘Talk About’ to coincide with the launch, and will be giving his fans a preview of the collection during his album tour which started at the beginning of April. As the newest member of the O’Neill family, he will also be contributing to the designs and creative side of further ECO’Neill styles. Also in the coming months ahead, Mishka will then be featuring in advertising for the brand, social media and mobile marketing to show his support for the coming launch. O’Neill is among many different companies- designer and high street- to launch a new eco-friendly range.

Having been around since 1952 when the world’s first neoprene wetsuit was introduced by surfer Jack O’Neill, O’Neill’s are extremely pleased to be able to create such a range made from recycled and organic materials and yet still maintain their surfing image around the world and continuing to deliver to their customers exactly what they need in terms of style, flexibility, and now the knowledge that what they’re wearing is reasonably sourced.

Picture taken from www.fashionunited.co.uk

For those of us looking to update our wardrobes, there is a new craze sweeping around which could be the answer to all our shopping dilemmas- Swishing Parties. Swishing Parties are great as they don’t cost anything, you get to clear out unwanted items from your wardrobe and gain new pieces simply by swapping what you no longer need for something that you really want but what your fellow swisher doesn’t want. You can do swapping online as there are more websites appearing that are dedicated to swishing, or you can organise one in the comfort of your own home. All you will need is a few friends/neighbours/colleagues with an armful of clothes that they are each willing to trade! And because you’re not throwing away your clothes or spending money, swishing parties are environmentally friendly- even more perfect!

How to organise your swishing party:

. First round up as many friends as possible, telling them to completely empty their wardrobes and decide on what they no longer need. This can be clothing, shoes, accessories, jewellery, and bags.                           

. Next, decide on a date and venue for your party, sending out invitations/emails if necessary.

. Encourage your friends to bring along other friends so that you have a wider variety.

.You will need to think about how to organise everyone’s clothes for show, perhaps by size or by type, and use whatever space you’ve got- doors, chairs, tables etc.

Once you have organised everything, you will need to lay down a few rules so that everyone knows where they stand and that it works out fair for everyone.

. First things first- No money should ever be exchanged- all clothes are free!

. Second- Everyone must bring at least one item but can leave with as many as they like!

. Third- If two people are arguing over the same item, then toss a coin to make it fair.

. Forth- No one can claim items before the opening of the swish- it’s first come, first served!

. And finally- Whatever people take is theirs, but make sure that you are happy to give things away (although you don’t have to). To prevent people from walking out with armfuls of clothes they may never use, encourage them to try things on- perhaps create a dressing area in a room with the curtains closed and where no one can accidentally walk in!

If your party is a success, then maybe next time you could make it even bigger. Find a suitable venue such as a cafe and create posters to advertise it.

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.

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.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity as declared by the UN. So what has this got to do with fashion you might ask?

Well fashion as  with many other industries has a significant impact on the environment. From the pollution caused by pesticides used to grow cotton to the disposal of clothing at the end of its life. Natural ecosystems have a very delicate balance. Change just one environmental factor and the balance will collapse having far reaching ecological effects. Biodiversity describes the variety of flora (plants) and fauna (animals) that exist in the world and as ecosystems are destroyed or fragmented so the biodiversity is lost. Ultimately loss of biodiversity has an impact on humans as it provides food sources, shelter, safe guards water and effects CO2 emmissions and global warming.

Events will be taking place around the globe to celebrate biodiversity and explore ways to sustain biodiversity. Specifically for fashion, EcoChic Geneva on 20th and 21st January will begin with a 1.5 day seminar “Redefining Sustainability in the International Agenda” from the perspective of the fashion and cosmetics industries.

New Years Swish

02 Jan 2010 12:00

Venue: 42-44 Clarville Rd, London SW7 5AW

Greetings all

We are holding a swishing event on Saturday 2 January 2010, at 42-44 Clarville St, SW7 5AW…not far from the Gloucester Road tube stop.

We are right next door to the Hereford Arms on the corner of Gloucester Rd and Clarville St.

12 midday - doors open to drop items off
1pm - doors open for browse
2pm - swishing begins!

Bring along a preloved item of clothing or accessory that you would be proud to swish with other fashionistas.

Its only £10 to get in and all proceeds go to the Ka Pai Karl Education Fund. Cash only

Even better, if you show your swish ticket the staff at the Hereford Arms, you will get 50% off your food.

We already have a stylish stock of mens and womens clothes for swish, including Helen Cherry, SNOB, River Island….

For more information, or to see pics of some of the garments already donated, contact kapaikarl@gmail.com.
Email: kapaikarl@gmail.com

Charity Clothes Swap

06 Jan 2010 19:30

Venue: Espionage Nightclub Edinburgh, 4 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh

Charity Clothes Swap
Declutter your closet and upgrade your wardrobe on a budget!

Come along to our charity clothes swap in aid of Scottish social care charity Quarriers.

Wednesday 6th January 2009
From 7.30pm @ Espionage Nightclub Edinburgh, 4 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2EX

How does it work?…
Come along to Espionage between 7.30pm and 8pm.
Bring along items from your wardrobe you no longer need. These must be clean and in good condition (please no dirty or damaged clothes)
Hand over each item to the registration team on arrival in return for a swap token.
Pay your entry fee of £5 (This allows you from 1 up to 5 swap items – any additional items are charged a £1 per item swap fee)
You will then be able to get a drink at the bar until 8.30pm when you will be given half an hour to browse items.
At 9pm the swap begins and you can take any items back to the registration team and exchange them for your tokens.
Items must be exchanged for tokens.
Items are exchanged on a first come first serve basis.
Once you have finished swapping you and your friends are free to relax in the bar.

Hope to see you there! Email me for any further info.

Email: lynas21@hotmail.com

International Day of Swishing’s Flagship Event

09 Jan 2010 15:00

Venue: Andaz Liverpool Street Hotel, London

International Day of Swishing’s flagship event.

We at Futerra are overjoyed at how fabulous all of your swishes are looking. We are also excited to announce that January 9th 2010 is officially the first ever International Day of Swishing.

There are now Swishers all over the world from South Africa to Belgium and New Zealand to Japan.

To celebrate we are throwing an eco-fabulous ‘Red Carpet Swish’ at London’s Swanky Andaz Hotel in Liverpool Street.

There will be music, alcohol, fabulous people and fabulous clothes. As well as being able to upgrade your wardrobe without risking the chaos of January sales, you will also be able to relax and enjoy one of London’s most exclusive venues.

The event is free of charge.

Doors will open at 3.00pm and Swishers will have an hour and a half to drop off clothes and relax with a cocktail.

The first Swish will run from 4.30 until 5.30 and then another cocktail break will be followed by more Swishing and you guessed it, more cocktails.

We will be following a points system. Designer items will be given 15 points, vintage 10 points and other items 5 points. Swishers can then take away items equivalent to the value of the items they came with. Items will be assigned points at the door by our fashionista Swishing attendees.

We will have style advisors in the form of London’s next big designers. Students from London’s top fashion courses will be on hand to offer style advice and basic amendments.
Numbers are limited so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Email: LucyWarin@Futerra.co.uk

Dolly Mixtures

14 Jan 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

Email: solen@theelectriccircus.biz

New Year Swish Party

16 Jan 2010 18:30

Venue: withheld…

An excuse for a New Year clean out and a fresh wardrobe for 2010!
Bring along at least one, and no more than 10 items (clothes,bags,belts,accessories,jewellery, scarves etc) for the swap.
Nibbles and some soft and alcoholic drinks provided.
Arrive by 18.30 - the swish can only start once everyone is there!

Email: zogmeister75@hotmail.com

Swish For Victory

17 Jan 2010 13:00

Venue: Jacobs Well, Trinity Lane off Micklegate, York

Got some gifts for Christmas you didn’t really want? Swish them in York to raise money for the WI and York’s local women’s refuge!

Email: newyorksisterhood@googlemail.com

Winter Clothes Swap Southampton

20 Jan 2010 18:30

Venue: The Art House, 178 Above Bar Street, Southampton

Come along with women’s, men’s and children’s clothes as well as accessories to our seasonal clothes swap at The Art House.

Entry is by Magic Hat (donate what you can towards the running costs of The Art House).

Email: info@thearthousesouthampton.co.uk

Dolly Mixtures

21 Jan 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

Email: solen@theelectriccircus.biz

Cambridge Design Collective and Cambridge School of Art Clothing Exchange

23 Jan 2010 11:00

Venue: The Shop 18 Jesus Lane Cambridge

The clothes exchange returns to The Shop for a second time!
• Clear out your wardrobes
• Spring clean your closets
• Exchange unwanted Christmas clothing and accessories!

In addition to the exchange, a range of exclusive accessories made by ARU BA fashion students will be on sale and a team of stylists and customisers will be on hand to help you fit and transform your swaps.

The details…

Delivery of clothes – from 11 – 12 pm on Saturday 23th January at The Shop.

Clothes exchange from 12.30 – 2pm

Selling off unswapped clothing from 2 – 2.15pm

Admission £2 per person, £1.50 CDC / Shop members

Further details vist www.cambridgedesigncollective.org

Email: enquiries@cambridgedesigncollective.org

Dress ‘n Gown

29 Jan 2010 19:30

Venue: The Georgian Hotel, Coatbridge

Deafblind Scotland is a small national charity that works with adults in the community who have lost, or are losing, both their sight and hearing. We are the only Scottish charity dedicated to enabling deafblind adults to regain a place in their communities. Deafblind people often become very isolated due to their problems with communication, information and mobility – and we work tirelessly to change this.

We would like to invite you to attend our Dress ‘n Gown Party on the 29th January 2010. We will be inviting ladies to join us for a night of fun, fashion and clothes-swishing! It is a fun and novel way to get a new wardrobe without using your credit card.

We ask ladies to bring 3 quality items of clothing or accessories to swap!

Email: events@deafblindscotland.org.uk

Last night was another fun clothes swap party for Posh Swaps. This time at the Guildhall in Bath. The swappers had a relaxed evening, enjoying a glass of wine and browsing the clothes and stalls. That was until the swap began at about 8pm, when the room turned into a frenzy of swapping with everyone grabbing for the items that they really wanted.

Once again I was gutted to be working as I would have loved to participate in the swap. I saw so many gorgeous clothes and couldn’t believe that these were actually clothes that people no longer wanted. Some great labels like Monsoon and Nougat, some gorgeous evening wear and lots of colourful and sparkly clothes and accessories  and even some brand new clothes with the tags still on.

We were delighted to welcome Emma McDonnell, Personal Stylist of Style to Wear along to the swap. Emma styled one lucky swapper and also showed her collection of gorgeous leather and suede corset/ obi belts are the perfect finishing touch for so many outfits.