Pictures: Mouse About Town.
Trinity Rooms in Stroud was filled with people celebrating sustainable fashion during Rewear Revolution, a community event aimed at keeping clothes out of landfill and inspiring repair and repurposing.
During the daytime, a bustling clothes swap saw participants exchange pre-donated garments via tokens or donations. Kerri Tyler of Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) said: “The volume of swapped clothes was way above our usual twice-yearly swaps. The event makes fashion affordable while reducing textile waste, and the Trinity’s volunteers provided delicious cakes for everyone!”
The day also featured workshops and stalls from The Door Shop, In Stitches, Nimpy Clothing, The Fold, Emergence Restock, Quickthorn Books, Meet Make Mend, and TS Textiles Group.
The evening programme was a ticketed fundraising event, featuring a live DJ, a panel discussion with sustainable fashion experts, and a creative Trashion Show. Guests included: Amelia of Lily & Me, Stroud-based fashion retailer with roots in Nepal. Alice of Humphries and Begg, makers of vibrant prints from Jaipur. Shalize Nicholas, leading Emergence Restock to repair and recycle damaged clothes.
The Trashion Show highlighted imaginative upcycling projects from local designers and groups, with standout pieces including a bright orange gorilla suit upcycled by local seamster Phil. Compere Simon Pickering shared key facts about the textile industry, including the environmental cost of clothing production and the prevalence of child labour in global supply chains.
Kerri Tyler added: “It was a brilliant day and evening that encouraged people to rethink how we consume fashion. Thanks to everyone who contributed their time, skills, donations, and support. We look forward to making the next event even bigger!”
The event was a partnership between SVP, The Door, Creative Sustainability, Transition Stroud Textiles Group, and Trinity Rooms. A portion of the proceeds will support Trinity Rooms’ ongoing fundraising campaign to purchase the building.
