(Updated)
Sunday 2nd March, 12.00 noon-4.00 pm
Mill Road’s Community Centre saw happy crowds of fashion lovers enjoying a fun and sustainable way to update their style at the EcoChic Clothes Swap in early March. Organised by Mill Road Fringe (funded by Love Mill Road and Anglia Ruskin University) in collaboration with Cambridge Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre and The Edge Café, this event showcased the work of these amazing Mill Road charities while providing opportunities for a wonderfully diverse crowd to spend a Sunday afternoon browsing for bargains, finding hidden gems, striking up conversations and doing their bit to help protect the planet.
Organisers Kate Collins and Ellen Pierce said: “It was a great community event, bringing together people of all ages who shared stories and left with bags full of new finds. It’s clear that these swaps are more than just a fashion fix – they’re a great way to connect, reduce waste, and make a difference. Next year the Mill Road EcoChic Fashion Show will be back by popular demand, perhaps we’ll alternate with Clothes Swaps in future?”
Please contact fringe@millroadwinterfair.org if you would like to help with future EcoChic clothes events.
Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre
- CWRC has been a beacon of hope for women in Cambridgeshire for more than 40 years, providing support, advocacy and a safe space for those facing adversity. Our work empowers women to rebuild their lives and thrive within their communities.
- Offering a trauma informed women-only environment, CWRC provides free classes, group activities, individual support and practical advice on many challenging and complex issues impacting women, including those who are facing poverty, mental health and wellbeing concerns, homelessness, poor housing, involvement with the criminal justice system and survivors of abuse.
- CWRC also facilitates the 12-week Freedom Programme for women who have been affected by domestic abuse.
- As a grassroots community charity, CWRC is dedicated to educating, empowering and encouraging women seeking positive change with support, advice and learning opportunities, helping them take steps to a better future.
- Formed in 1982, CWRC is an independent registered charity that relies on sponsorships and donations to continue its work. Charity Number: 801240. To donate or fundraise, please visit the CWRC website or email info@CWRC.org.uk.
I think this is an excellent idea and one which I have personally been advocating ever since the community was invited to suggest ideas for the centre. I think it is crucial to consider slow fashion for many reasons, and important to encourage upcycling of existing fashion. There are many Instagram accounts which are dedicated to the ethos of preloved clothes. Maybe we could find a way of sharing these useful accounts for others, at this event? Some of them include examples of very simple sewing hacks and embellishing garments to rejuvenate our wardrobes without buying new.