On Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 20 and 21, FIT will host The Loop for Good, a clothing swap and experiential sustainability pop-up event created to promote circularity in the fashion industry and encourage consumers to reuse and recycle their clothing. The event will also present information about sustainable practices via immersive technology such as augmented reality. Participants who bring slightly used articles of clothing and/or handbags will receive e-tickets to exchange for items of their choice. One piece of lightly used clothing in good condition will earn one (1) e-ticket; any new item with a tag will receive two (2) e-tickets. No cash will be accepted or exchanged at the event.
Participants will be invited to test their knowledge on sustainability and will be given a chance to win prizes such as lip balm (made with beeswax from FIT’s beehives), essential oils, and hand-sewn tote bags, as well as gift certificates to industry partners Century 21, Buffalo Exchange, and Swim USA.
An immersive technology booth will feature various augmented reality games and interactions to further illustrate sustainable practices in the industry. Other technology on display include predictive analytics on pop-up customers’ used clothing usage, three-dimensional student tech designs awarded by Gerber Ideation 2019 Conference Student FashionTech Competition, and a three-dimensional virtual exhibition design and construction.
The event will also feature talks with Lucie Brigham, chief of office for the United Nations Office for Partnerships, which develops alliances between the private sector and the United Nations; Biz Zast, vice president of marketing and public relations, Century 21 Department Stores; and Heather Feinmel, director of marketing and public relations, Century 21 Department Stores.
The Loop for Good: Sustainable Fashion Pop-Up and Clothing Swap will be held from 2 to 7 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and from 1 to 9 pm on Thursday, Nov. 21, in the Art and Design Gallery at FIT. The gallery is located on the ground floor of the Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center on the northwest corner of West 27th Street and Seventh Avenue. This event is open to the public.
Note: All clothing swap items must be washed. Clothing and handbags only—no accessories or shoes. Event organizers reserve the right to refuse donations. Refused donations will be handed back to the donor. All donations are final.
The event is sponsored by the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology and the School of Art and Design and is a recipient of a President’s Sustainability Grant.