Eco fashion duo exchange ideas at top sustainable event

Two founders of a new sustainable fashion initiative have shared their concept at one of London’s leading eco fashion events.  

Meagan Powell, from Melksham, and Gracie May, from Westbury, founded Swap Society earlier this year to work with independent venues to hold sustainable fashion events. 

After a successful launch event at Doubles in Melksham, Meagan and Gracie were sent tickets to The Good Clothes Show in London. The event saw the biggest names in sustainable and vintage clothing come together at the Old Town Hall in Chelsea. 

Gracie, who is manager of the Dorothy House charity shop in Westbury, said, “Everyone sang from the same hymn sheet as us and had the same morals and ethics as we do as a brand. 

“We spoke with vendors who sold pre-loved items, while others had created their own garments from end-of-line fabrics or reused materials. We tried on sustainable wedding dresses, there was a room full of sustainably made hats – the whole experience was amazing.” 

One stand-out talk for Gracie focused on the future of sustainable fashion – and predicted that mending clothes will become a big trend as more young people learn to sew. 

Following their visit to The Good Clothes Show, Gracie and Meagan hope they’ve put Wiltshire on the map as having the potential, just like big cities such as London or Bristol, to foster a strong community of eco-conscious fashion lovers. 

Gracie added, “It was lovely to be able to chat with people and share what we do. People seemed to really like our idea. 

“To know Swap Society really has a place at events like The Good Clothes Show, and that we have a potential audience all over – not just locally – is really reassuring. 

“If the UK can move away from the fast fashion craze and buy pre-loved or second-hand, the world would be a better place.” 

The next Swap Society event will take place at Glove Factory Studios in Holt on Sunday 6th July between 10am and 12pm. There will be a DJ, a brunch menu and the chance for eco-minded fashion fans to come together. 

Meagan and Gracie plan to hold a series of clothing swaps in independent spaces, including coffee shops, farm shops, industrial warehouses and festivals. 

Keep up to date on future Swap Society events – search ‘We Are Swap Society’ on Instagram or visit www.instagram.com/weareswapsociety.