Nexus of Feminism and Sustainability Clothing Exchange and Discussion

We at FCA believe that sustainability and conscious consumerism is one of the ways which you can practice feminism. So we’re throwing a clothing exchange (during the expensive holiday consumer season) to gather and exchange clothes, ideas (The discussion will be on the nexus of feminism, consumer culture and sustainability see reading list below), and most importantly laughter!

We know that fashion matters. It’s big business, for a start — reportedly worth $2.4 trillion a year — so of course it has big impacts on people and planet. Globally, fashion is the second-most polluting industry after oil. As Feminist sitting in the Global North its important for us identify the consumer culture which impacts both the earth and other humans in large majority female identifying in factory workers in the global south. It’s is important for us to be conscious about what drives us (shopping therapy) and the concept of consumer capitalism and how it intersects with our feminist belief system. One small step we can take is by trying to consume less and more consciously to make available our unwanted clothing to each other and to overall try and leave less of a footstep or impact on the world in regards to consumerism.

Coupled with the extremely expensive holiday season we decided it would be ideal to get together and have a clothing exchange and discussion on the nexus of feminism, consumer culture, and sustainability.

All clothing which is not collected at the end of the exchange will be donated to a TBD NGO or charity in Amsterdam the following day.

We invite you to bring as much clothing as you want here are a few things to keep in mind:
+ No underwear
+ items should be of good quality, meaning no holes, rips or excessive stretching or wear and tear.
+ Please make sure that all item you bring is CLEAN when you bring them.
+Shoes are cool
+ kid’s clothing is also cool
+ This is a gender neutral event bring any clothing (particularly cold weather clothing!)

When you arrive our volunteer will take your items at the check-in and sort them while you check out what everyone has brought. Please keep in mind:
A. takes what you need don’t be greedy
B. play nice

we will also host a discussion about the nexus of feminism, sustainability, we recommend reading these suggestions beforehand 🙂

1. What is ‘Conscious Consumerism’? by Jaya Ramchandani:https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/lets-define-conscious-living-for-the-21st-century-336fcba332dc

2. WHY ETHICAL FASHION IS A FEMINIST ISSUE by Fashionista Magazinehttps://fashionista.com/2017/04/ethical-clothing-fashion-feminist-issues

3. Watch: The High Cost of Our Cheap Fashion | Maxine Bédat Ted Talk :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5r8V4QWwxf0

4. On Feminism in the Age of Consumption by Nicki Lisa Colewww.csrn.camden.rutgers.edu/ne

2. Watch “The True Cost” by Adam Andrew Morgan: wsletters/11-1/cole_crossley.html