Re-fresh your wardrobe with Re:So

Inviting the city's community as well as students and staff to The Spark on Solent's East Park Terrace campus, Re:So's clothes swap encourages everyone to drop off old clothes for re-use or recycling while picking up pre-loved items instead of buying new.

Taking place on Wednesday 16 October, 11am to 4pm, the clothes swap is supported by John Lewis Southampton. Any clothes not swapped during the day will be donated to selected charities or recycled through the retailer's FashionCycle scheme. Together, Solent and John Lewis are stopped unused clothing going to landfill and helping to protect the planet.

Re:So is Solent University's retail initiative, providing a platform for creative students to sell their handmade items while learning how to set up and run a successful small business. At a permanent shop in The Spark and at pop-up events around the region, students and graduates have the opportunity to promote their wares, from clothing and accessories to homeware.

Offering 3,000 hours a year of work-based learning as part of Solent's approach to future-ready learning and teaching, Re:So is giving the University's creative community a unique opportunity to thrive as designer makers. Lesley Taylor, Senior Lecturer at Solent, says:

"Re:So has had a huge impact on our students and graduates, immersing them in the world of small business while supporting them in their creative practice. Our clothes swaps are an evolution of our offer, inspiring more people to recycle and re-use, while giving students experience in merchandising and event management.

"The Spark is open to the public, and we encourage everyone to bring a bag this October and dispose of their old clothing in a sustainable, waste-free way."

Re:So's clothes swap in the spring saw 174 items donated, all of which were saved from landfill. The initiative not only gives staff, students and city residents the opportunity to re-fresh their wardrobe for free but promotes an eco-friendlier attitude towards fashion.

Find out more about the event here.