The Sunset Parlor’s Owner Lelena Marcus set up a Clothing swap where the community can come together and have the opportunity to clean out their closets, come with donations, and trade items of clothing with others.
The Fashion Swap located at The Sunset Parlor, was set up by owner Leleña Marcus who believed that clothing swaps were a great idea to not only recycle clothing but also bring people together. A clothing swap is when a community comes together to trade clothing with others. Participants can either swap the piece of clothing for another piece that they brought or take it for free. Clothing swaps started as closet cleanouts with family or friends, that would give each other unwanted clothing that the other person would treasure and wear. The owner of The Sunset Parlor mentions that she originally started clothing swaps with her friends.
“I was living in San Diego for 24 years and we used to do these clothing swaps with our friends, and it’s just a really fun way to get community together and go to your closet and share your precious items that you don’t want any more with your community,” Marcus said.
The event started with a small meditation session where the participants in a circle went one by one and each person spoke about something they are letting go of this year and something they are bringing in. With the swap being free, participants had the opportunity to play a game that began when two participants wanted to keep the same item of clothing, The game finished fast as the second person who wanted the item was too embarrassed to dance.
People were not only looking at the clothing but sitting down, chatting, eating and having fun. The Sunset Parlor does many events like this, Marcus says she hosts yoga sessions, creative and writing workshops and the clothing swaps which are held two times a year.
“The next clothing swap will be probably in the fall,” Marcus said.
To finish up the swap, Marcus collects the unwanted clothes and gives them to friends who go to collect them and then donates the rest of the clothes in Juarez. So, the clothing is recycled properly through people who swap or from the donations.
Recycling clothing has become very popular because of the idea of individuality and trends that use older-style clothing that was only sold in thrift stores. The clothing swap created a beautiful environment brought by the owner who creates clothing swaps that are beneficial for the environment but also for college students who want a cheaper option for shopping.
Victoria Valadez is a contributor for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]