Posh Swaps Blog

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.

Grab your warm winter coat or cape and check out these events.

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.

Clothes swap parties are now really popular but have you ever though about arranging a clothes swap for children’s clothes. A school or nursery would be the ideal place to hold one. You could even charge a small entrance fee and have a few child related stalls to raise some funds for the school.

It makes sense as children grow out of their clothes so quickly, often before they have had the chance to wear their clothes very much. It is also a great way of saving money and also reducing waste and the amount of textile waste that goes into landfill. You could even combine it with a toy or book swap and second hand sale for nursery items.

If you prefer, you can sell or swap childrens clothes online at www.posh-swaps.com.

Here are some of the clothes swap parties around the country in November. Of course, if you didn’t already know, we at Posh Swaps will be holding one in Bath on 24th November, if you live near by, we would love to see you there, don’t forget to buy your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

Clothes Swap 5th November

05 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

SWISHING NIGHT in aid of St James Church Roof Appeal

07 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: ST JAMES CHURCH HALL

St James Church in desparate need of roof repairs and so now is your chance to help us by raising money with the event that is sweeping the nation……swishing night…..fab eco-friendly way of recycling clothes. ADMISSION BY PRE-PAID TICKET ONLY. CONTACT BY EMAIL PROVIDED.

Email: nuttymoee@hotmail.co.uk

Deafblind Scotland’s Dress’n Gown Swishing Party

09 Nov 2009 19:30

Venue: Lenzie Union New Hall

Bring up to 3 items to swap including dresses, suits, hats, bags, belts, shoes and scarves.

Guests will be served proper coffee along with chocolates and cake.

The night will also include a special fashion show involving some of the clothes on offer as well as some further surprises…

Tickets cost £10 (including refreshments) and can be bought on our website www.deafblindscotland.org.uk

Email: events@deafblindscotland.org.uk

Swap Don’t Shop Ladies Clothes Swap evening

10 Nov 2009 19:30

Venue: Mowsbury Golf Club, Bedford

Ladies, bring at least two items of clothing or accessories, pay £5 to get in (which includes a free galss of wine) and get swishing! Hope to see you there!

Email: lisa.chambers@hotmail.co.uk

Swish for St Mary’s!

12 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: st mary’s primary school

Swish for St Mary’s, is to raise money for St Mary’s centre Wycliffe; an idyllic retreat centre in the north East of England, near the historic town of Barnard Castle. The funds raised will be used to revamp each of the bedrooms at the retreat centre, see www.wycliffecentre.jimdo.com for more details and tickets!

Email: emma_hedley@hotmail.co.uk

Offley School Swish

12 Nov 2009 20:00

Venue: Offley Village Hall, Great Offley, Herts.

A swish to raise funds for Offley School. All are welcome to attend. £5 entrance fee. Arrive at 8.00pm to arrange clothes, followed by drinks and viewing. The Swish will begin at 8.45 pm prompt!

Rules of the rail

1) Bring at least 3 items of quality clothing.

2) You will have 45 mins to browse before the swish opens. There will be wine. £1 a glass.

3) No item may be claimed before the swish opens.

4) As soon as the swish is declared open, everyone may take what they want.

No fighting.

Email: kayanddavin@btinternet.com

Restyling & Refashioning

14 Nov 2009 10:00

Venue: V&A Museum, London

This year the focus will be on sustainable fashion with a focus on men’s suits and vintage. Restyle and recycle your wardrobe with our glamorous clothes swap Swishing event including a Vintage Section and Stylists\’ Booths. Bring you chic but unloved new and vintage fashion items to swap for ones you will love, and not just women’s clothes but men’s suits too. More details here: http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/events/Restyling_and_Refashioning/index.html

Swishing for HER Breast Friends

16 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Darleys, Hessle

Tickets: £5 - Charity swishing event to raise money to support local people with breast cancer. Nibbles, Gift Stalls and Raffle.

Email: generalenquiries@herbreastfriends.org

Swishing at Prescot

17 Nov 2009 12:00

Venue: Prescot Shopping Centre

The Swish will take place at the Prescot Shopping Centre. You can bring between 1 to 6, good quality, items and browse from 12 till 12.30 then SWISH till you drop. Free to enter but £1 donation would be gratefully appreciated on the way out. All money raised to go to the Honeyrose Foundation.

Email: sdove@virgoconsultancy.co.uk

Swishing Party in aid of the British Heart Foundation

19 Nov 2009 18:00

Venue: Companies House

We are hosting a Swishing Party in aid of the Cardiff Heart Nurse Appeal, the local appeal from the British Heart Foundation Cymru. They support two Specialist Heart Nurses @ Heath Hospital in Cardiff. 6-9pm - Please email me for further details!

Email: lhugglestone@companisehouse.gov.uk

Refashionable Clothes Swap 19th November

19 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

Come Swishing

20 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Fuchsia at Orocco Pier, 17 High Street, South Queensferry

Come Swishing at Orocco Pier in aid of Rosebery Playgroup.

Each person must bring at least 3 items of nearly new or very good quality clean clothing or accessories that they would be proud to hand on.

Browse and try on clothes between 7.30 - 9.00pm (changing facilities available). During this time you will have the opportunity to purchase hand made jewellery, treat yourself to a mini-manicure or get a tarot reading by a professional clairvoyant.

Countdown to the opening of the Swish at 9pm!

After the Swish we will be running a karaoke so you can continue to party the night away with friends whilst admiring your new clothes!

Tickets cost £10 including a glass of fizzy on arrival, nibbles and entry to a prize draw. Can be purchased in Picnic cafe (across from Orocco Pier) or via the contact email address. Don\\\’t leave it too late as our last party was a sell out!

Remember ladies: no scratching, spitting or biting!!!!

Email: susan.wllmsn@googlemail.com

Swishing for Alzheimer’s Society

26 Nov 2009 07:00

Venue: Mayfair, London

Swishing evening in Mayfair to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and just in time for Christmas party season!

6pm clothes accepted
7pm Swish opens for viewing
£10 entry includes drink and nibbles.

Everyone must bring at least one item they would be proud to swap with other London fashionistas! Clothes and accessories welcome - please no childrens items.

Limited tickets available please email for more information.

Email: c.m.lonie@hotmail.co.uk

Vicki’s Frock Exchange in aid of Sue Ryder Care

28 Nov 2009 12:00

Venue: Elmgrove Centre

I am happy to announce Vicki’s Frock Exchange is back! Another fun filled frocktastic day will be held at The Elmgrove Centre just off of Gloucester Road on Saturday the 28th November. Just in time to get your Christmas party dress!

This time all the proceeds will be going to Sue Ryder Care. Sue Ryder Care provides essential care and support to people living with serious illnesses and conditions such as Multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, Huntingtons disease and dementia. They give these people and there families back what these debilitating illnesses and diseases take away through there home visits, and in specialist hospices and in neurological care centers.

I have chosen to fundraise for a very specific part of Sue Ryder Care, called the Malawi Village sponsorship project. I have pledged to raise £3,000 in the next 12 months, which will sponsor a village in Malawi for a whole year. It will provide them with the means to help children out there with epilepsy able to go to school. And communities can help themselves by training local volunteers in health issues. These villages need outside support, and it will be amazing to be part of helping those less fortunate than us, don’t you think?

The price of entry will be £10 for the whole day 12: 30 til about 5-6ish!, It will include your clothes swap, refreshments and nibbles, Live entertainment, DJ\’s, seamstress’s on hand, and once again an Amazing Raffle. The prizes last time were fantastic and included tickets to the hippodrome, meals for two, holistic treatments but to name a few!

There will be access to beauticians and stalls, with a few shops on Gloucester Road showing interest in coming and selling there funky stuff! All this will be confirmed in detail nearer the time.

For those of you who missed out last time I shall explain how the Frock Exchange works;

1.IT IS NOT JUST FROCKS!! You can bring Dresses, coats, shoes, bags and jewellery to shop. 6 Items Maximum and EVERYTHING MUST BE IN GOOD CONDITION! Just think to your self “I want to take some nice things home, so I will bring nice things for others to take home!”

2.You will come with your items which will be checked and displayed by my wonderful volunteers; you will then be given an exchange voucher with the number of Items you bought, so you can take the same number of items away with you. You will be checked on your departure

3.You will have a few hours to try lots of things on and enjoy what else is going on throughout the day. BUT you cannot claim anything as your own until the exchange officially opens. So before it opens, everything must be back on the hangers or display units. I will then give you the nod and you can make a run for your Items! Everyone went home happily with a least one thing they wanted last time. As I have said before, NO BITING or SCRATCHING!!!! Remember it’s all for a good cause!

4.You will have fun! We all had such a happy day last May and raised £800 for Breast Cancer Research UK, and I know it’s going to be bigger better and raise even more this time!

To obtain a ticket, please email me vickisfrockexchange@live.co.uk and I will give you details. For Women of all shapes and sizes age 16 and over

If you are on Facebook, please join my group;

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=86564768596&ref=ts

Can’t wait to see you all again, and hopefully meet some of your friends as well this time around. Spread the word, forward this email to all the ladies you can!

Thank you for your ongoing support and kindness,

Swish into Winter…

28 Nov 2009 13:00

Venue: Aldershot

Part of our big, brilliant Autumn Festival, join us and Swish into winter.

Email: nicola.hewett@hants.gov.uk

Clothes Swap (swishing) party

28 Nov 2009 19:00

Venue: Greasby Methodist Church, Greasby Road, Wirral

Bring at least 1 item of new or nearly new clothing and swap it for another—free of charge!!!
You can swap up to as many items as you bring!!
Help will also be on hand if you want to spice up your wardrobe or just experience a change!!!

Email: a.landrum@ntlworld.com

Refashionable Charity Clothes Swap- Last before Christmas

01 Dec 2009 19:00

Venue: PanAm bar, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Come and have a fun night out with your friends, go home with a new wardrobe and support a great local charity!

The night starts at 7pm at Liverpools’ PanAm bar. PanAm is a contemporary bar and restaurant, located in the Grade 1 listed Britannia Pavilion on the Albert Dock overlooking fabulous views towards Liverpool’s Three Graces and has won the coveted Taste of Merseyside Accreditation. www.panam-venue.co.uk/

Free cotton Tote bag for each attendee to take their goodies home in!

Swish for Christmas

02 Dec 2009 19:30

Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport

Charity Event being held by the Hotel in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation.

Tickets 15 euro…..contact Aisling at aisling.skelton@radissonblu.com

Email: aisling.skelton@radissonblu.com

The Ethical Fashion Show in Paris is the only trade show dedicated entirely to Ethical Fashion. It showcases the work of designers who respect both people and the environment. The show includes a whole range of different clothes from street and sports wear to accessories and couture from all over the world. This year it included over 100 designers in total including Ada Zandition, Bee-Bee, Bibico, Terra Plana from the UK.

The four day event which ran from the first to fourth of October also featured conferences including Fashion, field of social cohesion and Organic and fair-trade textiles: what guarantees across the supply chain? and workshops including Ethical designers’ forum: taking stock of ethical trends for the 6th edition of Ethical Fashion Show®.

After the success of our last clothes swap party in Chiswick in September, we can’t wait until our next clothes swap party in the historic city of Bath on 24th November. With christmas just around the corner, this will a great opportunity to look for something lovely to wear to a Christmas party and stock up on pressies from the Posh Swaps fashion and beauty market.

The party will be held in the picturesque setting of the Bath Guild Hall and swappers will get the chance to have a very frugal girls night out with tickets costing only £10 (in advance) and including a glass of wine and nibbles, plus a goody bag with fashion and beauty goodies.

Clothes swap or swishing parties are a great alernative to shopping, they are not only fun but also eco friendly and frugal.

Further information and to buy tickets click here: Posh Swaps Clothes Swap Party Bath

Last night, we held the first ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap, co- hosted by Total Renewal and Style to Wear. I am very pleased to say that, we had plenty of happy swappers. Although things got a bit heated at times as the swappers rummaged and grabbed at the  best bargains which included Marc Jacobs coat, shoes, coats, jeans and lots more gorgeous stuff but there was a really warm and friendly atmosphere.

Alice of Reflection of Alice and friend, Jackie with their swaps which included a Missoni dress.

Personal Stylist, Emma was on hand to give swappers some style tips and inspiration.

One luck lady got the opportunity to be styled by Emma of Style to Wear using clothes from the swap and have a makeover by Nicole of Total Renewal.

Swappers also indulged and relaxed with a manicure or massage and glass of wine whilst browsing the fashion and beauty market and swap.

The ARISE Promise of Africa collective show will take place at New York Fashion Week on Friday September 11th. This is the second runway show to be presented as part of the ARISE Magazine founder Nduka Obaigbena’s vision of bringing a changing roster of rising and influential designers from across the African continent to New York each season. This season’s designers are David Tlale (South Africa), Eric Raisina (Madagascar), Tiffany Amber (Nigeria), and Jewel by Lisa (Nigeria). David Tlale and Tiffany Amber were co-winners of the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg this past June, giving them the opportunity to show in New York.

The second runway show in what will be a biannual tradition for New York Fashion Week, the ARISE Collective will feature designers from South Africa, Nigeria, and Madagascar on fashion’s most influential stage, presented by ARISE Magazine. All four designers in the ARISE Collective are celebrated in their native countries and are honored to be seen as some of Africa’s many promises in the continent’s bright future.

David Tlalewas one of two designers awarded Designer of the Year at the ARISE Africa Fashion Awards in Johannesburg this past June, giving him the opportunity to present in New York for the first time.“I’m very excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Tlale said. “I never thought I’d show at New York Fashion Week in the Bryant Park tents this early in my career. It’s the right time to show the world what Africa has to offer

Tiffany Amber, by Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker, first showed in New York as part of the inaugural ARISE Collective runway show in February 2009 “The reviews and the comments made by the industry professionals, audience members and customers was overwhelming,” Folarin-Coker said. “It was a good wake up call, there is a market out there that wants to see Africa’s vision, hear our stories and follow our lines. Also showing in New York as part of the ARISE Collective for the first time are Madagascar-born textile wizard Eric Raisina, who pioneered “silk fur” through his work with artisans throughout Cambodia, Madagascar, and the ateliers of Paris, and Jewel by Lisa the Nigerian label of Lisa Folawiyo, which features heavily embellished and handcrafted Ankara fabric.

The show will be run by renowned show producer, who has worked with international celebrities such as Elton John, Tyra Banks, and John Legend for more than two decades.Continuing the tradition of exposure for culturally-diverse designers is vital to ARISE Magazine founder and THISDAY GROUP Chairman Nduka Obaigbena

ARISE Magazine

ARISE, launched in February 2009, is the world’s first magazine on global African style, culture, business and politics. Produced in London, ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd, one of Africa’s leading daily news outlets. THISDAY events, including the THISDAY Awards and THISDAY Music and Fashion Festivals, have brought music and fashion icons as well as world and business leaders to Lagos, Abuja, London and Washington, DC, including Bill Clinton, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Usher, and many more. ARISE is published by THISDAY Media Group, Leaders & Company Ltd. and can be found on the web at www.ariselive.com.

picture from www.ericraisina.com

With less than 2 weeks to go, we can’t wait until the first ever Posh Swaps Clothes Swap party on 17th September in Chiswick. The tickets are selling fast so buy soon to avoid disappointment. Why not get together a group of friends for a really fun, frugal and eco friendly night out. There will be lots to do besides swapping with a free glass of wine and a mini manicure or neck and shoulder massage included in the price. There will also be lots of great stuff at the Posh Swaps fashion and beauty market including jewellery hand bags and shoes and some food for those who are hungry.

Not only will you go home with 5 newly swapped pieces of clothing but you will also recieve a posh swaps goody bag filled with discount vouchers and product samples.

 http://www.total-renewal.com/page21.htm or by emailing info@total-renewal.com