Pop-up fashion exchange boutique is back
THE FASHION conscious now have the opportunity to update their wardrobes at no cost while practising sustainability in an industry known for the hazardous effects it has on the environment.
This is thanks to washing powder Skip South Africa’s fashion exchange initiative, which affords women the chance to find a home for their outdated garments and obtain new ones.
Women can swop and shop at the Skip Fashion Exchange pop-up store in Melrose Arch, Joburg, until Sunday.
Stylist and corporate image consultant Dominique Wolf, the “Style Coach”, has been tasked with overseeing the campaign. She explained that the fashion initiative made sense environmentally and economically as it involved people bringing in their used clothes.
However, sised, these had high quality.
“We only take in highquality items, stuff that has been pre-loved, looked after and sustained.”
The items are then categorised, and people are given tokens to take other items accordingly at the impromptu store.
In this way, those who bring in items which are of high value don’t have to settle for items which are not of a similar standard.
“If someone brings something in which is a designer label, we want to give them back something that is of the same value,” said Wolf.
She said a pair of Louis Vuitton boots estimated to be worth R30 000 was one of the items someone brought in and swopped for a Ted Baker dress.
Wolf said the concept had been highly successful since it started in Joburg last week. The pop-up store visited Cape Town earlier this month.
She said its appeal was that women were cognisant that they were contributing towards a sustainable cause as the fashion industry was among the biggest polluters. The concept also allows women the chance to update their wardrobe for free.
“It’s really nice because you have stuff in your wardrobe that you love but don’t wear anymore or things that no longer fit, so you bring them here and get something back as opposed to giving things away and feeling like you’ve wasted money,” said Wolf.
She added that as people were continuously adding to the items on the racks, the stock kept changing, unlike retail stores.
Although the campaign has been running for a few years now, this year, shoppers have been afforded the opportunity of taking part in the fashion exchange free for an extended period of 10 days.
Previously, the concept was only for an evening, and interested shoppers had to pay to participate.
Wolf said the reason for the extension was because the event became too chaotic due to the high turnout, but now people had the time to find something they liked.
“People like the chance to come back, and if you have a whole week, you will find something you like.”
@Karishma_Dipa
It’s a chance to update your wardrobe free