Businesses, charities, students, volunteers and community groups will come together today for a fun fashion event highlighting the problem of disposable fashion.
Between 1pm and 7pm at Oxford Town Hall, anyone can drop off their old clothes, buy a refashioned garment or learnt craft and repair skills while catwalk shows featuring students and themed performances take place throughout the day.
ReFashion has been organised by the environmental sustainability team at Oxford City Council. Organiser Jenny Carr said: “I had this idea to do a clothes swapping event in the Town Hall and when I discussed it with colleagues in recycling the idea just snowballed.
"Fashion is fun, and that’s exactly what we want ReFashion to be about. I’m a keen crafter and love sewing so the event appeals to me on many different levels. I hope others will get enthused to and bring their old clothes along to repair, embellish, swap or simply recycle.”
According to the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP), three per cent of the county's household rubbish is textiles. This adds up to over 8,000 tons of clothes, shoes and fabrics discarded every year which costs local councils over £660,000 to collect and dispose of.
OWP chairman, Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, said: “We’re so used to recycling our cans, bottles and paper, but we forget that there are many more items that can be reused and recycled too.
"Clothes are a perfect example of something that can be reused. Damaged, ripped and tatty clothes can all be recycled into upholstery or rags, but if they’re in good condition then it’s even better to get them worn again, especially if a charity can benefit too.”
People bringing clothes to the event will have the option of swapping them for free, passing them to a charity or agent to sell, finding out how to repair or decorate them or transforming a favourite garment into something totally different.
Clothes that are past their best will be used in the crafting area, and all fabric at the end of the event will be recycled. Anyone turning up empty handed will still have the chance to purchase clothes, take part in a crafting activity or watch one of the fashion shows.
Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “Many people may have had a new injection into their wardrobe over Christmas or from shopping in the sales. Because of this they might want to get rid of their old outfits.
"By giving our unwanted clothes a new lease of life or letting them be recycled into something totally different, we’re not only reducing the environmental impact of fashion, we’re saving money and ensuring we stay looking stylish."
Among the groups taking part will be Abingdon charity Against Breast Cancer, who will be recycling bras, the air ambulance, demonstrating what they do with recycled clothes, Cultural Criminals selling bags and accessories made from lorry tarpaulin, and more.
People bringing clothes to the swishing area, the name given to a clothes swap, will be given one token per item. They can then exchange their token for another item of clothing that has been brought in by someone else.
