Singapore swapping initiatives present option to fast fashion
15 February, 2021
Singaporean Sue-Anne Chng used to wear a diverse outfit on all 15 days and nights of the Lunar New Year, when it's customary to don latest clothes to symbolise a brand new start.
But this year she'll wear second-hand items exchanged for her old clothing at a retailer catering to people worried about the influence of fast style on the environment.
Countless swapping initiatives, from long term shops to pop-up events, have appeared on the affluent city-state on a bid to inspire consumers to help make the most of what is already in their closets.
The style industry is in charge of up to a tenth of global carbon emissions, in line with the United Nations' environment programme.
Clothes cause emissions found in a wide variety of techniques -- from their manufacture to transportation and washing by the consumer.
On a recent visit to her favourite retailer, THE STYLE Pulpit, Chng took along several dresses and a matching blouse and skirt, which an employee member assessed before crediting factors to her account.
She spent her points on 17 items, including a yellow and green outfit to wear for the first time of the brand new year as it appeared as if "an auspicious pineapple".
The fruit, regarded as a symbol of prosperity, is normally given as a gift or shown during Lunar New Year in Singapore.
'Insane consumption'
"I've always been raised by my parents to get a new group of clothes every Chinese New Year, and I fell into that behaviour of consumerism," the 35-year-old told AFP.
"During the past I probably ensured I have 15 days of outfits even if I'm not visiting (family members), which is an excessive amount of."
But now, "provided that the item is not used to me, I think it's sufficient," added Chng, who gets results for a tech firm and is married.
Chng first learnt about apparel swapping at a work event five years ago, and made a decision to change her techniques after realising her closet was filled with unworn items.
"Prior to switching to swapping, my consumption behavior was insane," she said.
"I realised I had a lot more than 50 percent of my wardrobe unworn, but I still felt like I didn't possess anything to wear."
She pays Sg$599 (US$450) for a yearly membership at The Fashion Pulpit, that allows her unlimited swaps and visits -- about 80 percent of her wardrobe is currently from the shop.
"Swapping allows me personally to end up like a chameleon with regards to fashion but allows me to come to be environmentally conscious as well," she said.
Tiny Singapore alone produced 168,000 tonnes of textile and leather waste products on 2019, according to authorities -- the weight greater than 400 Boeing 747 planes.
'Not dirty, not dusty'
Filipino clothes designer Raye Padit founded The Fashion Pulpit nearly three years ago after studying his industry's effect on the surroundings and poor treatment of garment personnel.
"In Singapore, the situation can be overconsumption and waste," he told AFP.
"We want to provide a platform where you could still dress up, express yourself... through dresses. But at the same time, it isn't damaging to the planet also to your wallet."
His enterprise now has a lot more than 1,500 customers and has started turning a profit. It also holds workshops where consumers can discover how to mend or upcycle applied clothes.
People have swapped from casual clothes created by high-street makes to top-end items such as Prada totes and Louboutin sneakers, Padit said.
One-time swap situations are also showing up found in the city-state while several volunteers host monthly swap gatherings.
"When I join a garments swap it reminds me to consume consciously since when I hand out clothes, I think about whether I'm nonetheless wearing them," said Nadia Kishlan, a good 30-year-old participant in one clothing swap.
Challenges stay in persuading Singaporeans to swap rather than store, however, and the city's industry continues to be in its infancy.
Second-hand shops aren't as popular on Asia as on the West, in part because many believe employed garments from strangers could bring bad luck, or be unhygienic.
But Padit said attitudes found in Singapore were changing, driven by rising environmental awareness and a good wave of trendy new thrift shops marketing their goods on public media.
"It's gradually changing the perception of what used is about," this individual said. "It's no longer dirty, it's no longer dusty -- it's a nice thing."(AFP)
Source: fashionunited.uk