Free Clothes Swap Event in Powys During London Fashion Week

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust is collaborating with the Presteigne Repair and Skill Share group to deliver a free clothes swap event during London Fashion Week, with a theme around slow fashion and sustainability.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust is leading a free clothes swap event on the 18^th of February, during London Fashion Week. Doors will be open for anyone to drop in between 14:00-16:30 at Presteigne Youth Centre, Powys. This slow fashion event is made possible by ‘Stand for Nature Wales’, a Wales-wide project looking to empower young people to take action for nature and climate. The event is funded thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund through the Climate Action Fund.

This clothes swap is an opportunity for people to circulate clothes with other members of their community, in a bid to reduce waste and a ‘throw-away attitude’. The event aims to educate people about the benefits of slow fashion and the impact that the fast fashion industry has on our climate. Leaders from Presteigne Repair and Skills Share group will also be on hand with a display of upcycled garments, to share their knowledge on mending and repurposing clothing.

Stand for Nature Wales Assistant Project Officer Chloe says, “We are really excited here at Radnorshire Wildlife Trust to try something new! We anticipate that this clothes swap event will bring people of all ages together to learn about slow fashion and put it into practice. If successful, we hope to organise similar events in other locations such as Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.”

Organisers ask that you bring in your clean, unwanted clothes to the Presteigne Youth Centre (44 Hereford Street, LD8 2AT). There will be a ticketed system, where you can swap one clothing item for each piece of clothing you bring in.

During the event, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust are also offering a free t-shirt printing workshop led by local Fashion Print student, Esme. Bring a plain t-shirt and breathe some new life into it. There are limited spaces available on the t-shirt printing session, so organisers recommend booking ahead.

“Vibrancy and playfulness are key characteristics of my work, together with an aim to understand and develop more sustainable practices. I always use recycled or deadstock fabrics in my projects. In my recent work, I have focused on sustainability and regenerative fashion.”

- Workshop Leader, Esme

Stand for Nature Wales Community Officer Silvia says, “We are so pleased to have recruited 19-year-old Esme as our t-shirt printing workshop leader. The whole aim of our project is to upskill and empower young people to tackle climate change, act for nature, and inspire others to do the same! Although Esme is already a talented fashion student, we hope that she will gain new and valuable skills in how to organise and deliver a workshop.”

For more information, visit: https://www.rwtwales.org/events/2023-02-18-presteigne-clothes-swap-t-shirt-printing

To book a place on the t-shirt printing workshop or if you have any questions, contact: chloe@rwtwales.org