“We are reframing what value means by inviting swappers to engage with many of the unseen steps of the supply chain.” continues Duffy, “By knowing where things come from, who made it, or even who wore it last, provides accurate detailed insights into the garment and its provenance, as well as the impact they, as a consumer, has on the world we live in.” Providing this transparency means customers can be more responsible in working towards conscious consumerism. Not only facilitating the swaps themselves, the platform offers full traceability for each item, with visible information such as the factory and materials used in its creation. With plans to expand the concept in further locations, adding digital touch-points to stores for customers to access the platform will also be a new development in providing sustainable retail solutions. The physical Swap Shops have also been trialled in the New York as part of The Canvas, a retail establishment focusing on products which are made in alignment with the UN’s SDG’s. Swarovski were also part of the event allowing visitors to upcycle clothing with crystals and embellishments. In January earlier this year at London Fashion Week, he collaborated with the British Fashion Council and designer Patrick McDowell creating a physical SwapChain shop which proved to be a huge success. Patrick McDowellĭuffy initially started hosting physical swap shops in 2018, as part of the Global Fashion Exchange, presenting collections at a variety of fashion events with which visitors could swap their own items with. Patrick McDowell and Patrick Duffy at this years London Fashion Week. Involving UK fashion designer Patrick McDowell, who was also at the event, they announced a mission to make a global and measurable target of recirculating 100,000 items in the next 12 months, contributing towards the attainment of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The Lablaco duo, Lorenzo Albrighi and Kuo Shih Yun, invited Duffy to speak at the event which then led to the birth of the SwapChain idea. The Summit, founded by the digital creatives behind the Blockchain-powered Lablaco, was the first collective action event designed to accelerate the transition of the fashion industry to a circular economy. With the Global Fashion Exchange fuelled by a global network of change-makers, the SwapChain concept originated from a conversation held at last year’s Circular Fashion Summit. Providing its members with a digital toolkit, it allows them to create individual accounts, uploading items they would like to exchange and tracking their stories as they go. The SwapChain, which launches officially in June, powered by Lablaco, is a central hub where members can connect to swap items from across the globe. Today’s ‘Quordle’ Answers And Clues For Saturday, July 15 “It will act as a new meeting point for consumers and brands to create a positive impact together.” He says, “As the fashion industry struggles to find ways to innovate, filled with uncertainty and a lack of transparency, we see a plethora of only positive ‘swappertunities’ ahead.” (A term Duffy has coined to express his excitement towards the change the movement will hopefully create). Speaking with Patrick Duffy, founder of the Global Fashion Exchange and pioneer of its new digital fashion swapping community, The SwapChain, he is excited about the interruption swapping offers to ‘normal’ consumer cycles. Many local charities and organisations have still continued the concept with small-scale swap shops for furniture, homeware goods and clothing but, increasing it to a global scale has been almost impossible without the introduction of specific technology. The idea of swapping belongings with others was the core concept behind Noel Edmonds’ Swap Shop, a UK weekend TV success throughout the 70’s and 80’s, but unfortunately the idea soon became overshadowed with the rise of high street trends and the convenience of low-cost shopping which boomed through the 90’s.
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