JupYeah a swap shop for unwanted fashion
Sale season this year has been particularly brutal on my bank balance. New Costume National handbag in white - check; acid green pumps from Cos - check; vintage dress from Select 18 - check. But I've noticed that plenty of unused items pile up at home.
Independent brand Memories Factory by Agnes Nong will exhibit stylishly upcycled showpieces to promote waste reduction, and DJs will be spinning discs throughout the day. This is swapping with a party atmosphere.
JupYeah is an eco initiative started by a few stylish, young Hongkongers. It's a fresh outlook for a city negotiating an obsession with fashion and a problem with overconsumption. Organisations like these are rare in this part of the world, unfortunately.
The latest event moves the idea up a notch, says co-founder Olive Wong: "We have different partners this time. We are holding it in a major gallery, The Space, so this event is more upscale."
Wong says that lots of branded items end up at the swap, including items by Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton bags, and Gucci.
One of the co-founders, Ren Wan, is a former colleague of mine. She combines a passion for style with her love of green initiatives. The aim is simple, Wan says. "JupYeah encourages our fellow citizens to share redundant possessions with others, lengthening the lifespan of useful stuff and facilitating a better redistribution of resources."
And isn't it refreshing to get a stylish retail kick, with none of the guilt about the bank account or the environment?
