Re:So's clothes swap saves nearly 200 items from landfill

The event held in the Spark was the first clothes swap Re:So, has run since 2019, and had great engagement from students, staff and the general public with 174 items being donated for the event and 88 items being rehomed. The day was also officially linked with John Lewis’ FashionCycle scheme, who were able to acquire 60 items to ‘send them off for a new life’ to be rehomed or recycled.

Lesley Taylor, Senior Lecturer and Department Lead for Re:So, said, “At the core of Re:So is the learning experience, and we were able to offer a fashion styling student some module related placement hours helping with set up, merchandising, displays and service to the visitors. As a result, this placement student will be working with the Re:So team in the summer as a stylist for the next redesign of the store.“

The event was a first for the two Graduate Interns at Re:So who learned new procedures and helped to collate statistics from the day. Graduate Intern, Shyanne Searley, said, “Clothes swaps are a very inclusive experience, anyone can partake in them and there is something very rewarding about it. It was an enjoyable event showing a simple way to choose more sustainable options and was very well received by students and alumni alike. People were enthusiastic to come and leave with some new additions to their wardrobe and many asked when we would be hosting the next one.”

Due to the success, the Re:So team have been quick to get a new clothes swap in the diary and will be holding the next one on 16 October 2024. Be sure to get the date in your diary too so you don’t miss out.