Clothes lovers happy to swap fast fashion for sustainability

About 500 Nelsonians gathered to update their wardrobes virtually for free at yesterday’s Fashion Revolution Nelson Swap ‘Till You Drop event.

The event held at Founders saw many defying the rain to sift through racks full of pre-loved mens and women’s clothing. The only cost involved was the $2 entry fee.

Looking through the racks, Nelsonian Svenja Conzelmann said she thought the clothes swap was great.

She had been to one before in Tahunanui and thought it was an ‘‘awesome’’ initiative.

Coordinator John Marshall said they had needed 750 people to show up to break even.

‘‘[The numbers are] a bit less than we hoped for but we consider it a big success and we certainly will be doing it again.’’

Marshall said the main reason for the event was to raise awareness about the pitfalls of fast fashion and to get people to buy quality clothes that lasted longer.

He hoped by organising a clothes swap event, many items would be saved from landfill and instead find a new home.

‘‘Some of the items [that were brought in] have never been worn, they’ve been given to people as presents and they didn’t like them or they were too big.’’

Saturday night’s rain had been a bit of a worry he said, even though the event was held inside, but the damp weather turned out to be a positive.

‘‘People are not going to be doing as many outdoor things, it’s probably ideal,’’ Marshall said.

He said they received many positive reactions to the initiative.

‘‘Everybody is enjoying it and they are very glad that Nelson is leading the way on this.’’

The event marked the end of the global Fashion Revolution Week. The aim of the initiative was to get consumers asking who made their clothes and in what conditions.

Marshall said their hopes were set on holding an even bigger event at the Trafalgar Centre next year.