‘Swish’ pop-up clothes swap event comes to St John’s College
“Swish events reconcile this natural desire for self-expression and creativity with sustainable practices that bring communities to life”
St John’s is to hold its first ‘Swish’ clothes swap party to encourage sustainable fashion habits among the College community while supporting local charities.
‘Swishing’ is a widely popular style of event that enables you to donate your own good quality, unwanted clothes to swap with others – meaning everyone taking part can recycle and refresh their wardrobe, while taking steps to protect the planet.
The St John’s Swish, which is supported by St John’s College Sustainability Forum and Cambridge Carbon Footprint, will take place on Saturday 4 February in the Fisher Building Foyer when College students, staff and Fellows, along with family and friends, are invited to bring along their clothes to swap for new ones.
Women’s and men’s clothes and fabric accessories, such as scarfs and ties, can all be donated. People should take along their unwanted clothing that is in a good, clean condition, from 10.30am, when the doors open. Volunteers will be on hand to collect and weigh the clothes, before hanging items on pop-up clothes rails ready for the swapping.
The ‘swishing’ takes place between 11am and noon, when those who have donated items to swap can take what second-hand clothes they want home, giving them a new lease of life.
Professor Jane Heal, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Chair of the St John’s Sustainability Forum and a College Fellow, said: “Fast fashion is a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. That is why clothes swap events – known as ‘swishes’ – are catching on as a friendly and fun way to refresh your wardrobe without burdening the planet further, and without expense.
“I’m very grateful to St John’s Sustainability Forum for supporting this event, the first of its kind in the College. If you are interested in sustainability, or clothes, or both, do bring along some items to swap and see how it all works.”
Entry to the Swish is free and refreshments will be available, with a cash collection made for Cambridge Food Bank.
The idea for the Swish came from Clara Manco, French Lectrice, who is a College Teaching Associate at St John’s. Her interest in sustainability grew ‘somewhat unexpectedly’ from her interest in fashion.
“I quickly understood that, for truly beautiful things to exist, they had to be made with respect and care for people and the planet,” said Ms Manco. “Swish events are wonderful because they reconcile this natural desire for self-expression and creativity with sustainable practices that bring communities to life.
“We look forward to the conversations this event will spark – and of course to the stylish outfits students and staff will come up with!”
Unwanted clothes for the swap may be dropped off in advance if, for example, you are having a wardrobe clear-out over the Christmas holiday – please leave your donations in the Swish container that will be located in the Forecourt Porters’ Lodge from 17 January. This will be emptied regularly and the clothes stored for the event on 4 February.
As well as requesting clothes for the Swish to be a success, Ms Manco and Professor Heal are appealing for volunteers to help with collecting and sorting items on the day – email Clara Manco for more information.
Left-over clothing in good condition will be given to charity shops to sell and any unsuitable items will be removed from the swap, weighed, and sent for textile recycling.
Published 14/12/2022