October 2024 Style Swap Recap
Hello from New York, where I have just enjoyed 4 mad days on Manhattan doing a terrific tourist whirlwind before now heading upstate to Woodstock to stay with my best friend in her woods and beautiful house. Her lovely newly renovated home in the woods has got me thinking about style and choices and quality. They wanted new armchairs for their space (arriving shortly) and we struck lucky and chose all three in one day! Classic vintage pieces; Scandinavian design that match with the colours of the woods. Premium price tags and quality all the way. It got me thinking about my space and my wardrobe and how I can live my life filled with beauty and good finds, and within my own budget and circumstances.
Swap jacket and bag at the top on the Empire State Building!
In our Style Swaps, we have original pieces; pe-loved and delightful - it’s such a treasure hunt. Some events are filled with absolute gems for me and sometimes, there nothing, Something I have noticed is that people show up in lovely outfits these days - look at the colours and styles below.
Over the past 8 years the swap has taken on a life of its own, becoming a meeting place, a place for connection and friendships and a place where children, teens, young adults, adults and elders meet, in a way I rarely experience since I stopped going to church. With a mission of creative community, sustainable style and conscious consumption, I am incredibly proud of the clothes swap, its evolution and how we have met the changes that have occurred these past years, how we persist and continue to grow our reach. It is truly a place for people to gather with purpose and create connections.
Not to mention the wardrobe enhancements!
May we continue to grow and nurture our people and our consciousness in our relaxed, generous, easy and creative space; and to continue to be conscious about our consumption and our connections. Thank you!
(Do you know anyone who would be a good addition to our speakers and highlighted makers or doers, let us know!) Also, have questions? I may have answered them here in our Style Swap FAQs
Our beloved swappers socialising, being in community, chewing the fat and finding treasures.
It got me thinking about our lovely swaps and the value and quality we bring. This time round I only had to throw away a few items that smelled of smoke. There was nothing so mouldy that I had to throw them away as I have in the past. There are some things I simply don’t want on the floor - I love curating the things I bring, and the things I pick up. Here on holiday on NY I am wearing somthing every day from the swaps. today it is a denim shirt, in excellent condition, patent boots, a North Face quilted jacket I got 10 years ago from a swap and I also have with me a denim coat from this most recent October swap, that I have LOVED wearing Alexander Wang for Adidas trainers that have become on of my wardrobe faves, and a leather rucksack/ shoulder bag that was brilliant for whipping around Manhattan. The Adidas and the North Face alone were worth about ¥80,000 and I just love knowing my things had a life before.
Victoria of Biku Designs showing us the cotton blouse she took from the May Swap and naturally dyed it with pods that are in the jar on the table. She also shared something interesting that I hadn't thought about much, in that cotton and other natural fibers will decompose and decay, but man made fibres with behave like plastics. Something to consider in purchasing, but by no means meant to shame - man made fibres are are often cheaper, so if you are on a budget or incredibly busy, don't put too much pressure on yourself.
One of the things I love about the Style Swaps is the community it builds, the friendships that are forged and the different generations who come. There are often 5 generations in the room. Here the Sarahs are being Aunties to our dear friend and collaborator Gretchen's daughter. We are meeting her for the first time. I also love being Aunty to Kimono Sheila's daughters who have been coming to the swaps since they were in their teens. I got to introduce new coaching clients to old coaching clients and forge new connections that could be mutually flourishing. The social circles build out and our community builds.
Swap chat and rummage. That's Jane Best, Director of REI - Refugee Empowerment International, who do great works - go check them out. And join our gala in Spring 2025.
This swap was smaller than usual with perhaps 40 attendees rather that the usual 55, we have been enjoying at Blink. The vibe was intimate and spacious - different and no less enjoyable. Tia Haygood of Top Tia Photos gave a short guide to finding your perfect colours, something she has developed in the many years she has been one of Tokyo’s leading photographers.
Photographer Tia chatting with make up artist and jeweler Mina - who knows what gorgeous things are being dreamed up in this corner of style land. These are magical humans.
A friend suggested that the Ukrainian Embassy are requesting clothing and donations, as the conflict continues and the people affected head into winter, clothing donations are welcomed. So we dropped the leftovers, after carefully picking through them to ensure quality. And so the Ukranian Embassy received a number of bags of garments, shoes, bags and accessories. Any refuse and non-useful items will be dealt with by Sarah.
Thank you so much to Blink Roppongi for the rental of their space and to everyone who participates and contributes, especially our host for the day, Andreia.