The NYC Fair Trade Coalition, the organization behind the popular, impactful clothing swap center, The Sustainable Fashion Community Center, in East Harlem, will be holding a gala to raise funds for their clothing swap centers and other supporting causes to promote fashion circularity. The Gala will be disco-themed, with disco attire strictly enforced. The whole event will be “The Disco Nights and The Earths Rights Gala, and The Sustainable Design and Merchandising Forum” on Thursday and Friday night, May 4th at 6 pm and May 5th at 4 pm, respectively, at Kent State at 315 39th St. The events will mark the 2nd anniversary of their clothing swap Community Center.
The Sustainable Fashion Community Center has become a fast-recognized, integral addition to the East Harlem community. With a $60 annual membership, a customer can donate clothing and get different clothing at the center for $1 per item.
Not only does this support circularity in fashion, making sure less clothing ends up in landfills, it ensures that people from all walks of life in the community can get the wardrobe pieces they need to do well at work, be comfortable at school, and generally feel good in their own skin. It is no secret that a good wardrobe opens doors, and the Community Centers have ensured that people can receive a suitable wardrobe for an affordable price. Studies have shown that schoolchildren who wear more expensive brands of clothing score higher on standardized tests. And everyone knows that people who dress well for work tend to get promoted. Limiting the amount of clothing people can take each time also ensures that people are not emptying the stores to resell clothing at the expense of what others have available.
To grab a ticket to the Gala on May 4th and the forum on May 5th, click on this link here. The event will be a fun, carefree opportunity to let loose while supporting a fantastic cause, helping people in vulnerable areas of the city get on their feet. Appetizers and drinks will be provided at the event. And if you have clothing you want to donate, bring it! The center is happily receiving new donations to keep its store full of shoppers. Can’t make it to the Gala? Click on the link and donate what you can.
I look forward to the Gala and hope to see you there!
