Jeans in June is Upcycle Newcastle’s inaugural textile awareness month, and to kick it off, Purple Card Project will be hosting a clothes swap event called Not Just Jeans! This event has both environmental and social benefits, and offers a platform for local textile and sustainability experts to share their passion and knowledge with the community.

Our event will address the environmental impact of the fashion industry at a local level by keeping clothing in circulation, and promoting a circular economy model where items are reused and repurposed. It will also serve as a platform for promoting sustainable fashion practices within our community, such as being more mindful of our consumption habits and appreciating the value of pre-loved clothing.

Our event will foster a sense of community and connection among participants, bringing people together, regardless of age, background, or income level, and create opportunities for social interaction. It is also a cost-effective way for participants to refresh their wardrobe, making fashion more inclusive, and ensuring that everyone has access to clothing that makes them feel confident and comfortable.

Participants will be encouraged to make conscious choices about their consumption, rather than being dictated by trends or marketing campaigns. They will be actively encouraged to shop slowly, be creative, think outside their personal style, and to try on at least one item that they would not usually choose. By doing this, we are encouraging participants to have fun in the space as they explore the wide range of styles available.

Our clothes swap is one piece of the puzzle in promoting sustainability, resource conservation, community building, and financial accessibility in fashion. And by embracing the principles of reuse and collaboration, we hope to build a strong and resilient community who value and respect the social and environmental impact of clothing, shifting the focus from consumption to reuse and repair.