19 . 01 . 2012
SWAP ’til you drop – 67,576 garments diverted from landfills since 2007!
The SWAP Team is off to a fabulous start into the New Year – Here are our latest stats!
In Fall 2011 our chapters in Calgary and Montreal swapped 1,988 items and donated 5,227 items to charity. Big congrats on that!
Here are our numbers from 2011 only:
12,807 garments swapped
14,997 garments donated to charities
27,804 garments diverted from landfills
And here are our updated numbers in TOTAL:
30,264 garments swapped
37,312 garments donated to charities
67,576 garments diverted from landfills
$605,280 saved by swapping … and counting!
Let’s make 2012 the year of swapping and continue to push those numbers up by following our motto: “Sharing is good!”
A HUGE Thank You to all the swappers who made this happen.
SWAP on!
The SWAP Team
12 . 01 . 2012
The SWAP Life – Adieu Boxing Day!
Written by Laura Vizbara
My fellow swappers,
It is a common truth that many of us who are lucky enough to have a holiday on Boxing Day use the better part of it to forage for bargains. If one commits to waking up early enough, one might even be entitled to obtain a big-ticket ‘’door crasher’’ item for a fraction of its retail price, such as a 3-D projecting TV screen or a hydraulic BBQ powered by its very own thumb-sized cold fusion reactor.
OK, so I made that last item up. 
My point is that on Boxing Day, the consumer in us tends to go a little haywire and incites us to buy things we don’t really need.
Just what is it about Boxing Day that draws us away from our warm comfy homes to spend more than on any other day of the year? – Part of the answer may lie in the following advert I spotted in Winnipeg’s Portage Place Mall during Boxing Week (you may have noticed its French counterpart in various stores across Montreal):
THE solution for gift fatigue: Be savvy, be swappy!
Gift fatigue. My initial reaction to reading that was, ‘’Yeah, I know what you mean. I don’t want any more presents.’’ It took me a few seconds to figure out that the ad was inviting me to buy something I liked to make up for any gifts I was disappointed with. Such as socks.
I don’t know about you, but the folks I spend Christmas with make it a tradition of giving socks and underwear every Christmas, and I can’t imagine life without that. It’s the present I know I’m going to get every year, and I look forward to it, because it eliminates the need for me to go out and buy them. I haven’t bought socks and underwear in over five years. What’s the real gift behind the undies? It’s one less thing for me to think about during the year, and there’s no better gift than that kind of thoughtfulness.
So what to do if you didn’t receive anything that made you all giddy inside? Well, you can listen to the ad, and buy something else, but why not take it a step further and try to trade it? With Craigslist and googleable (not a real adjective yet, but undoubtedly will be one day) swapping sites at our fingertips, a whole world of trade is available for us to explore.
Swap away!
Laura
29 . 12 . 2011
Diary of a Frugalista:
My SWAP finds of the year
Photo taken by Christian Roy
Written by Nadya Ershova
December is here, and so the end of the year comes along. It is time to summarize the results of the past SWAP season. This year my wardrobe got a great update thanks to three clothing swaps!
The first one was at the YWCA.
Left: my favorite fall item! Right: a black blouse with a pink lace inset, which I also got at a swap event, the one at Place-Des-Arts.
This SWAP brought me my biggest catch. I have already written about it here, but I cannot resist the pleasure of talking about it again and again. So here it is! My favorite dress ever: a grey dress from the 80s. As you remember, it was Aleece who brought the dress to this event. She bought it in a Brooklyn vintage store, but eventually realized the color didn’t suit her, so she decided to swap it! The dress was made in the 80s, but the cut was inspired by a 50s revival which was going on at the time. I wore it to the Piknic Electronik, got my picture taken for the SWAP gallery and even gave an interview for the SWAP video.
Another great piece I got at the event was a hippie flowery coat. It stayed abandoned in my closet for quite a long time, because I have a hard time combining patterned clothes, but this fall, I got a fashion epiphany! Solid blue, brown, and pink pieces help the coat stand out, making the coat my favorite fall item.
The biggest event of the year was the mega Place-Des-Arts clothing swap.
It lasted for two days and occupied the whole of the Grand Foyer Culturel (indoors) of the Place des Arts. I was volunteering, and thus did not have much time to hunt. Still, my instincts helped me spot a few pieces which now occupy an important part of my wardrobe:
First, I want to show you my three dresses.
Better knee long!
Esprit brand dress
This nice blue dress is made of cotton and the top part fits perfectly. The secret of the perfect fitting? The dress has elastic insets on the back. The stylist consultant who volunteered for the event, Jeff Golf, gave me a great suggestion: if I shorten the dress up to the knee, the silhouette will be more balanced. I haven’t got around to shortening it yet, but I totally agree with him.
The second dress is from the brand Esprit. It is made of thin silky polyester and has a lining. It does not stick to the body, and has a loose-fitting cut that makes it very comfortable during hot summer days. I love the tricolor Indian pattern, and that its blue hue goes well with my eye color.
I wore it for the second day of the SWAP and showed it to the visitors of the event. “Look, I got it here yesterday!” Some girl from the crew recognized the dress. She had spotted it on the racks before I did, but the size didn’t fit her. The dress was clearly waiting for me
Amazing shoes
No doubt, you have noticed the summery sandals in the previous picture. Yes, I got them at the clothing SWAP event, too! The wedges are made of wood, but the shoes are not slippery at all. They have rubber cover pieces attached to the sole. The straps may promise some blisters, though. If it is indeed the case then I will simply swap the shoes again.
The golden flats you see on the picture were also found at the YWCA event!
The third dress is a real godsend. Given the quality of the fabric and the look of the label, I believe this is genuine 80s. It is always the dream of a thrift shopper or swapper to find something this genuine. The brand is FIORICCI and it still exists, you can check it out here: http://selecteddenim.com/.
I know you would say it fits me perfectly. It does! However, it is not easy to put on – and it is even more difficult to take off. The thick fabric does not stretch much, and the skirt part is quite tight. Still, I am very determined to wear it as often as possible!
It is actually made in Canada! Good old – oh, I guess I am allowed to say it – vintage stuff!
Emanuel Ungaro
This incredible Emanuel Ungaro vest was a piece I fell in love with at first sight. The color, the cut, all this was an ultimate match with my style and appearance. The beige goes well with blue, so I combined the vest with a pair of jeans and an awesome 70s style hat I found at Renaissance.
Porcelain skirt
The third event was at the Piknic Electronik festival.
It was a pretty small event compared to the Place-Des-Arts one. The SWAP Team had only one tent. However, the items present were very different from the ones usually present at swaps: more accessories, more bright items – the SWAP team did its best to match the festive spirit of the Piknic!
At this swap, I got a milky white maxi skirt with embroidered flowers.The skirt is made of wool, and it wraps over the body. I like it very much; it reminds me of a fine Chinese porcelain with a delicately hand-painted ornament. However, I have trouble finding items to pair it with. Winter is approaching, and I think I might be able to match it with something like a black fur Russian hat, a faux fur black coat and big army boots with ribbed soles. Maybe you guys have any other suggestions on what to combine it with?
Cat eye sunglasses
I also grabbed some over-sized, cool-shaped sunglasses. The outer corners are elevated a bit, giving them a cat-eye look.
Every fashionista needs to have many accessories to accent her outfits. However, when the style changes, the old accessories do not fit it anymore and need to be replaced. Well, when that happens, bring your not-fitting-anymore sunglasses, belts, bracelets and necklaces to our events and exchange them for the ones that do fit!
Part of my growing collection of swapped clothes
The year 2011 is almost over. It brought me tons of positive emotions and great clothes. I cannot wait to see what new clothing and emotions the next year will bring!
25 . 12 . 2011
The SWAP Life – Holiday Resolution
If swapping is rooted in love and the holiday season is rooted in love, it follows that regifting must be rooted in love as well.
What? you say, The dreaded regift? The dark side of holiday cheer?
Regifting is the best way to spend less and have the most of fun!
That’s exactly right. I got to thinking about regifting this year as I was purchasing presents for my nieces and nephew. I kept feeling guilty because what they and I really want, not just for Christmas, but for life, is to spend time with each other. Buying them stuff just seems to fly in the face of that. This calls for a change!
Looking back, I do remember the great feelings I would get as a child when I was given a present by someone I loved. No matter what it was, it was the best present ever because it came from someone I loved without restriction. That’s not to say I feel it’d be appropriate for me to give them the wine decanter that’s been hanging out in the back of my closet for the past two years, but something tells me that if I look through my things, I can find stuff to give them that will satisfy both their excitement and anticipation on Christmas Day AND my desire to bring them joy without spoiling them. The way I see it, the world and its ideas can change all they want, but childhood by definition never will. My wee ones more than likely feel exactly the same way as I did, and that is why I should explore the art of regifting with them.
Come to think of it, I know exactly what amongst my things one of my nieces wants: my cherry-patterned purse (swapped!), and that fuzzy scarf (knit with gifted yarn) she doesn’t know I’ve seen her burying her face in (just thinking about it gives me an attack of the cuteness). Okay sweetie, because it’s Christmas and love always wants to share, this year they’re yours. And I know you’ll take good care of them.
Well, that’s two presents taken care of, but what about that wine decanter? Surely it could be a special something too! Do you know someone who would like a wine decanter? Should I pass this query onto our facebook page? Could this be the start of an amazing regifting adventure?
Regifting is love. At least it can be, as long as we drop for ourselves the social stigmas that have been attached to it.
Swap on,
Laura
P.S. This entry was posted a little later than I expected (Christmas), so I thought I’d add a little update since we finished unwrapping presents just an hour or so ago. The regifts were loved I ended up giving the swapped purse to my best friend instead of her daughter since there were chains on it that we were nervous she’d hit herself or her brother with if she swung it around (which she is most certainly likely to do). My best friend loooooved it, and my niece took the scarf to her bed so she could snuggle with it at night.
Christmas mischief managed.
Happy holidays everyone!
01 . 12 . 2011
The SWAP Life
by Laura Vizbara
Greetings fellow swappers,
My name is Laura, and I have the privilege of serving The SWAP Team as the volunteer manager of its Montreal chapter since 2009. I am happy and excited to now be a part of its blogging team! I thought I’d begin this new chapter of my life with The SWAP Team by giving you a little history of my time with them.
Back in 2008, a couple of friends of mine were volunteering at an event, and in an effort to spend more time with them, I hopped on board. I wasn’t really sure what The SWAP Team was about, but I remember noticing that people seemed encouraged and happy to part with clothing and accessories they had previously hesitated in simply giving away.
Three years and many clothing swaps later, I am in awe at what we’ve achieved. Our little idea of bringing people together to swap their clothes in the name of charity isn’t so little anymore. With growing interest from home and abroad, we are in a position to work with and support every community-minded organization we partner with. We have also positioned ourselves to educate, in what we hope are fun ways, those who wish to adapt their consumer habits to our growing awareness of how our actions affect the environment and the people who work in the textile and fashion industries.
Take Off Your Clothes swap event at the Place des Arts Montreal, July 2011.
The response to our efforts from the public has been staggering. Whenever I wonder if I’m trying hard enough, or if we’re doing enough, I have but to look at the constant flow of ideas and feedback the swapping community shares with us to know that we’re giving our supporters everything they need to feel good and and to be excited about being a part of what we do. They in turn provide us with the encouragement we need to keep pushing ourselves to effect change on a greater level through our events and our presence in the community.
I love morning coffee! - preparing the swap event at the Place des Arts, July 2011.
I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in our events, as a participant or volunteer. You are the reason we do what we do. I look forward to seeing you at our next event.
SWAP on!
Laura
15 . 11 . 2011
Yoplait Light and DailyCandy’s Fall Swap Event w/The SWAP Team!
You’re Invited to Yoplait Light and DailyCandy’s Fall Swap Event!
What: DailyCandy and Yoplait Light invite you to Karen Millen’s Soho boutique to celebrate The Yoplait Light Fall Swap Event, an evening to feel good, look good, and do good. Bring an article of clothing to donate to The SWAP Team and swap if for an overflowing gift bag.
Why: Mingle over cocktails and delicious Yoplait Light treats with Jeannie Mai, host of How Do I Look? on the Style Network, correspondent for NBC’s upcoming Fashion Star series, and Yoplait Light spokesperson. Learn about simple swaps you can make in your wardrobe and diet; plus, shop the store at 20 percent off.
When: Nov. 17. Thurs., 7-9 p.m.
Where: Karen Millen, 112 Prince St., b/t Greene & Wooster Sts.
Please RSVP for the event here:
http://www.dailycandy.com/
07 . 11 . 2011
Volunteer Of The Week: JANA
Volunteer Of The Week: JANA PIEST, our Marketing Coordinator!
Jana brings her international flair to The SWAP Team. Originally from Schülldorf, Germany, Jana has been our volunteer Marketing Coordinator for a year. If you’ve enjoyed reading our blog, sharing our Facebook content or tweeting up with us, we can all thank Jana for that!
A super task juggler, Jana is the perfect example of coordination at it’s best. Whether it be scheduling clothing pick-ups, driving the van for clothing donations, or keeping on top of our social media channels, Jana can virtually leap tall buildings in a single bound – and always with a smile and a kind word.
Jana came to Canada two years ago and adores apple picking!
Our Montreal events wouldn’t be possible without Jana. Her attention to detail and endless motivation are downright essential in planning our events, and keep us continually moving and advancing in the right direction. With so much to do, we couldn’t be happier or luckier to have Jana on board to manage it all!
Dankeschön Jana!
[The SWAP Team wants to give tribute to all the passionate and fabulous volunteers that are the heart of the organization and that are helping us out event after event. We could not do all this work without you guys and girls - YOU are The SWAP Team!]
01 . 11 . 2011
Volunteer Of The Week: LAURA
Volunteer Of The Week: LAURA VIZBARA, our volunteer manager!
Laura is the synonym for “volunteer manager,” at least in Montreal that is.
Laura has been with The SWAP Team since the very beginning, managing our volunteers like a pro. No matter who is volunteering for a Montreal swap event, the first thing to do is to talk to Laura. She welcomes, delegates, motivates, advises, improvises, and she never (and we mean NEVER!) forgets to have some water and food set up for the volunteer herd.
Laura Vizbara has been managing the Montreal volunteers since 2009!
In real life, Laura studies Linguistics at Montreal’s Concordia University, works in Canadian Film and Television and aspires to write fiction. But whenever there is a swap event in the works, Laura is there and ready to take care of her volunteers – which leaves us with THE crucial question at a Montreal swap:
“Sorry, I am looking for Laura, the volunteer manager?”
[The SWAP Team wants to give tribute to all the passionate and fabulous volunteers that are the heart of the organization and that are helping us out event after event. We could not do all this work without you guys and girls - YOU are The SWAP Team!]
26 . 10 . 2011
Volunteer of the week: ANNIE
Volunteer Of The Week: Annie Cliche, our Montreal Chapter Director
Do you remember our Volunteer Of The Week from last week? Yes, we mean Cole, our youngest fashionista!
However, without the initiative of her mom, Annie Cliche, Cole would have probably never found her way to The SWAP Team.
Annie has been our Chapter Director for Montreal since May 2010; she is incredibly passionate about the cause and always makes sure that both swappers and volunteers have a great time at the events. Annie is usually running back and forth during a swap, but she has a sixth sense for quieter periods that let her sneak through the racks herself to hunt for the good stuff – always with Cole on her side in case she needs some style advice!
Annie in action at one of our swap events!
Annie – thanks to you and Cole, the Montreal Chapter has one successful swap event after the other. Keep up the good work!
[The SWAP Team wants to give tribute to all the passionate and fabulous volunteers that are the heart of the organization and that are helping us out event after event. We could not do all this work without you guys and girls - YOU are The SWAP Team!]
20 . 10 . 2011
SWAPTEMBER recap:
3,459 items swapped!
Our first annual SWAPTEMBER campaign encouraged North Americans to save money and go back-to-school swapping instead of shopping.
To get the word out about SWAPTEMBER, we started a Facebook page and shared it with several other swap organizers in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Just a few weeks after launch, SWAPTEMBER had over 4,000 people join the campaign on Facebook!
Thanks to all the great swap organizers all over North America that participated in our campaign. You are doing an amazing job! Let’s keep working together. The more people know about swapping, the more we can do for our communities and our environment.
Grand Total Impact of the SWAPTEMBER campaign:
Items swapped: 3,459
Items donated to charity: 4,846
Items diverted from landfills: 8,305
Here is a recap of some of the individual SWAPTEMBER events that took place last month. Way to go!
USA – OH – Columbus
It was the first swap event in Columbus for the organizers of peace.love.swap and they managed it like they’ve been doing this for ages!
The peace.love.swap event in Columbus was held for the first time!
Items swapped: 100
Items donated to charity: 250
Items diverted from landfills: 350
Canada – QC – Montreal
Swapping at the Piknic Electronik – for The SWAP Team a longtime tradition. The whole Labour Day weekend long swappers had the chance to empty their closets and search for something different:
Items swapped: 445
Items donated to charity: 1,500
Items diverted from landfills: 1,945
Canada – QC – Montreal
The “End of Summer Swap!/ garderobe collectif!” took place in Montreal on September 10 and reported the following numbers:
Items swapped: 225
Items donated to charity: 40
Items diverted from landfills: 265
USA – MN – Minneapolis
The Swap-o-Rama-Rama in Minneapolis had a blast on September 11! “People came with bags and left with bags! It was awesome to see the exchange happening!” said the organizer, Karin Fitchett.
Items swapped: 1,500
Items donated to charity: 500
Items diverted from landfills: 2,000
Canada – QC – Montreal
The SWAP Team held another swap event, this time in partnership with the John Molson School of Business and the David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise. Swapping theme: business clothing!
Items swapped: 260
Items donated to charity: 1,700
Items diverted from landfills: 1,960
Canada – ON – Ottawa
On September 16 The swapmeet club in Ottawa organized a chilly swap evening with 18 ladies – and they did empty their closets! Here are the numbers:
Items swapped: 263
Items donated to charity: 412
Items diverted from landfills: 675
- Congrats, Ladies!
USA – DE – Wilmington
The Fashion Swap Soirée in Wilmington was an evening full of fun: Swapping, Zumba, Cocktails, and – Pole Dancing! The leftovers from the swap were donated to Goodwill, Delaware. Watch their video about the swap HERE!
Items swapped: 300
Items donated to charity: 50
Items diverted from landfills: 350
Mexico - Guadalajara
Sometimes it just needs a dedicated and motivated individual to make big things happen: Mexico experienced its very first clothing swap “Renueva Tu Guardarropa” (Renew your closet) in Guadalajara on September 24, thanks to Wee-Yen Lim! Keep it up, Wee-Yen!
Items swapped: 62
Items donated to charity: 55
Items diverted from landfills: 117
Canada – ON – Ottawa
The “Garde-robe Collectif” clothing swap in Ottawa held a rather small event with 10 people, but the number of items brought to the swap was impressive: 243! 243 items that won’t end up on the landfills. Sharing is good!
Items swapped: 104
Items donated to charity: 139
Items diverted from landfills: 243
USA – MD – Rockeville
The peace.love.swap in Rockeville was all about costumes! And that with a lot of success: 400 items were brought to the swap! Congrats, Rockeville!
A kid's paradise: The costume swap of peace.love.swap in Rockeville, USA!
Items swapped: 200
Items donated to charity: 200
Items diverted from landfills: 400
Thanks again everyone! See you next SWAPTEMBER!
The SWAPTEMBER campaign was launched and coordinated by The SWAP Team, a nonprofit social enterprise from Montreal that organizes fashionable swap events with used clothing. Keep on spreading the word: SHARING IS GOOD!
