About the Sydney Founder;
Knitwear designer Kirsten Frederick and her lovely team are set to launch their second Sydney Clothing Exchange on Tuesday 19th August.
The excited group inclusive of her partner Paula, Cat, Georgia, Jemima, Julia and Kate are preparing to make the Sydney swaps special.
To be hosted in a beautiful warehouse space in Surry Hills, the Sydney swaps are sure to shine. Kirsten and Paula have played host to wonderful designer fashion sales, and with the official Clothing Exchange Recipe, the team will offer guests a professional swapping service.
With her experience working in fine dining Kirsten also knows all the right people- so expect to have your wine palette nourished as your wardrobe flourishes!
So for all you Sydneysiders who wish to be added to the mailing list so you get all the news about our regular Sydney swaps please email you request to
* Our WA and SA teams are coming soon... keep your eyes on the website for 2009!
The swap story
Why we stopped shopping, and started swapping?
Back in 2004, in a rare moment my devoted love of fine fashion and my ecological responsibility became one. After receiving the news that fellow fashion consumers and I were collecting $1.7 billion worth of dormant clothing in our cluttered closets, it was time to act and so The Clothing Exchange came to be.
Little did I know that my team and I were pioneering a sustainable fashion movement as many little swaps amongst community groups, students and even commercially driven enterprises have popped up since. Before us, a clothing exchange was a hurried rummage through a pile on the floor and we’re proud as punch to offer you a professional swapping service that continues to delight. We are also happy to be sharing our exchange recipe that is tried, tested, fair and friendly with official partners coming forward to represent every State.
The Clothing Exchange has recently befriended Hunter Gatherer, a store partnered with the Brotherhood which trades in fantastic second-hand and ethical fashions. Any leftover garments from our events are donated so they raise money for the charities initiatives.
If you want to know more about this swap story then check out our press items or email us at info@clothingexchange.com.au PARTNERSHIP enquiries welcome...
How to swap...
Recommended reading for first time swappers!
Step 1. Raid your wardrobe for around 6 garments or accessories you think others will value but that you no longer wear.
Step 2. Arrive at the exchange ‘check-in’ where your garments are reviewed and counted. For each garment given, you receive one button which you’ll use later to buy another garment in return. (Our screening process preserves the quality of the exchange, but we don’t impose value judgements by assigning different button values. Years of experience has shown that the value judgements are best entrusted to the guests and the proof is in the scarcity of leftovers!)
While the other participants check in, there is an opportunity to relax, drink and prepare for the main event.
Step 3. Approximately 30 minutes after the check-in commences, we will officially open ‘shop’ to ensure that every guest has a fair hunt! Participants will test, try and parade the garments, sharing stories of clothing contributed and new fashions found. There are individual change rooms for ultimate privacy, but it becomes a bit of a communal event!
Step 4. After finding an armful of ‘new’ garments, guests proceed to the check-out where they pay in buttons for their ‘new’ wardrobe.
What to swap...
Treats and treasures
Bring along items you think others will value but that you no longer wear... and do give generously - if you’re not wearing it, pop it into the swap and have a laugh with the person who takes it home. Make sure you have emotionally detached so you’re happy to see old garments adopted by others.
Vintage Style
We don’t discriminate against age, it can be vintage, but shouldn’t look tired .
We welcome clothes and accessories of varying styles not just the ‘of-the-moment fashions’ as the style diversity is part of the fun!
Presentation is everything
Please check items for tiny spots, minor tears or missing buttons so we can maintain quality and make others aware of minor quirks It is essential that items are cleaned and presented neatly because that’s good manners! Dry cleaning is appreciated, but a light press and neat folding will suffice
What not to swap...
Garments that are pilled, pongy or straying too far from perfect. We can’t exchange undergarments, swimwear, overworn birkenstocks, tracksuits or anything polarfleece!
Remember, we screen garments at the door to uphold the quality of our exchange events for everyone’s enjoyment.
