Why and How we Clothing Swapped- an indyish launch story in pictures

The Indyish weekend, though full of fashion
and rock bands and music video making,
was not all about being cool and sexy…I swear.

And it wasn’t all about capitalism
or selling stuff or consumption either.
Though there was a boutique.

It was also about other things like connections and currents.
On Saturday afternoon, after the 24hr projects had launched,
we held a clothing swap. Why? hmm? Just to find cool stuff?

I mean I did find cool stuff. Lots of people did.

This is the point of the clothing swap- 1. you drag out the nice and sometimes expensive things you own and don’t wear and realize what it shame it is to have them lying around instead of out there being loved. And then it’s suddenly insta-easy to give your currently unloved things away! Tadah!

2. You and your friends find things unearthed from eachothers closets that make you so happy you can’t believe anyone would ever ever give them away. But they have! Joy!

and 3. When you’re all done looking, there are bags and bags left over, full of goods that haven’t found their home yet, and when you drop them off at the local Mission, or Sun Youth, or Sally Ann it’s like you’re wishing them bon voyage, and that feels good too. Good luck guys!

The clothing swap is more about currents then it is about charity, I think, and the feeling of connection it gives is healthy for you like vitamines, I’m sure.

We had this whole plan to draw straws for contested items at the swap, and to have a whistle and referee, which we still might do someday for fun, but this time all was calm, friendly and low key. We met some new people, giggled and talked about clothes in a way that was completely devoid of money making. It was awesome.

When planning the Indyish Weekend, we tried to pick events that would be positive all around because I think for art-making (and commerce, actually) to feel right it’s got to have that extra dimension of doing something good for the planet or other people. Simplistic? So sue me. When you’ve got that, let’s call it the goodness dimension, things like colours and the quality of light in a photograph just taste better. And I selfishly only want to do stuff with Indyish that tastes good.

Mmm Tastey.

All our unswapped goods were cleaned up and brought up the street to the Mile End Mission, where they were welcomed with open arms..

(and all the photos on this page were taken by tristan brand. check out all the photos tagged “indyish clothing swap” on flickr for more!)