VCU Eco Fashion Club and Stiletto Club host clothing swap
The fashion department at VCU held a clothing swap Nov. 19 in the Pollak Courtyard, encouraging students to bring an item of clothing to exchange for a new item to add to their wardrobe.
Amanda Hallesjo
Contributing Writer
The fashion department at VCU held a clothing swap Nov. 19 in the Pollak Courtyard, encouraging students to bring an item of clothing to exchange for a new item to add to their wardrobe.
Sponsored by the ECO Fashion Club and the Stiletto Club at VCU, the swap gave participants a ticket for every item of clothing donated. From noon to 4 p.m., the ticket could be traded for an item of their choice. People brought clothes and accessories such as sweaters, pants, handbags, shoes and scarves. Items left over were donated to Given Heart, a Richmond nonprofit that provides food, fellowship and essential items for those in need.
Kia Jordan, a VCU sophomore fashion design major and current president of ECO Fashion, led the clothing swap. Always interested in fashion, Jordan said she is a big supporter of eco-friendly clothing.
“I have always been interested in fashion and eco-friendly clothing since I was a little girl,” Jordan said. “What is really cool about my major is that I get the art side and the business side which allows me to have a prospective career in almost anything.”
Jordan’s academic advisor encouraged her to take a leadership position in the ECO Fashion Club after most of the members graduated. Jordan said they needed a fresh-thinking president, and she wanted to rebuild the club. There are currently two other main officers that Jordan works directly with and 50 people registered in the club. Jordan said this year was the first the club has done something each semester.
Jordan said there is a lot of misunderstanding when companies and clothing brands are trying to win the battle of customers by stamping “go green” on products that may not be eco-friendly.
“My best advice is to look at the tag on the garment,” Jordan said. “Clothing is required to tell you exactly … if the clothing is made here in America or overseas and what fabric is used.”
Jordan said the idea of the clothing swap has become national, and more organizations across the country have used the idea for their own purposes.
