Mega Clothing Swap - Year Two
In March 2018 we had our 8th swap, finishing up 2 years of swaps helping the women of Tokyo with sustainable shopping, raising money for charities and hearing from some lovely women of Tokyo and surrounds.
Each season I host a swap together with Amy Hanashiro of Oakwood, and more recently together with H&M. Thank you so much to everyone who has made these possible each season.
Want to be the first to hear about the swaps? Be sure to get on my mailing list here- the first place for save the date invites go here or enter your email below.
We were featured in the Tokyo Weekender’s People, Places and Parties Society Guide back in May 2017:
Photo courtesy of legend Bill Hersey RIP and Tokyo Weekender
A year into the swaps I wrote about them here and what we had learnt, what we had done and where we were going. A year later they have grown even more and with the proceeds we have managed to send over 100,000yen to Resilience (A NPO that supports women who have left violent relationships and have nowhere to go. They often have no work clothes for interviews so Resilience runs a free shop for professional clothes and some of our clothes from the swaps go there).
But also, another charitable cause close to my heart – we recently raised 95,000 for Matthew Dons, a father trying to raise money for cancer treatment so that he can spend more time with his family. He writes more about his experience here.
We have been luck to have some fabulous ladies speak to us at the events- each of them volunteering their time and expertise to share with swappers.
Sachi of Resilience,Tokyo Stylist Corin , Tokyo Musician Sorcha Chisholm, Style Curator Mary Fidler, Resilience supporter & coach Jennifer Shinkai, Maud Janssen from House of Colour, Sheila Cliffe Kimono lover, Abi from Abi’s Journal, Angela Ortiz from H&M, and NGO Consultant Sarajean Rossitto.
Clothes swaps are immense fun. They are social, good for the environment, sustainable events and I have received some of my favorite pieces from clothing swaps.
Over the years I have refined my process:
Never take anything you don’t love.
Try before you buy.
Get a second opinion.
From someone honest. Really honest. Brutally honest.
Allow yourself one impulse purchase.
Have an idea of one thing you would love to find before you get there.
When you’re there, recommend things to other people that you think would suit them.
Want to hear more? Email us anytime at info@sarahfuruya.com
