It may have been stacked with sequins, trainers and designer gems, but the night was far from throwaway. The Ethicalist’s Clothes Swap Party at Green-Key certified Media One Hotel’s Coco Lounge earlier this week, delivered a runway of community-powered style, yet again.
Around 50 guests turned up with armfuls of pre-loved fashion, ready to swap, sip, and make space in their wardrobes for pieces with a story. Guests kicked off the evening with two complimentary drinks courtesy of MMI and Familia Torres, a vineyard with a decades-long commitment to regenerative viticulture, biodiversity restoration, and reducing its carbon footprint.
Valentino stud trainers traded hands within minutes, a Fendi shoulder bag made someone’s night, and a pair of classic Louboutins were snapped up in record time
Non-drinkers were equally spoiled with Corona Cero supplied by Drink Dry, the UAE’s leading alcohol-free retailer championing mindful drinking. Guests also enjoyed Natureo, Familia Torres’ de-alcoholised wine made using the same regenerative viticulture that has earned the brand global recognition for sustainability.
When it came to actual clothes swapping, Valentino stud trainers traded hands within minutes, a Fendi shoulder bag made someone’s night, and a pair of classic Louboutins were snapped up in record time.
But luxury didn’t overshadow the clothes swap. Thanks to a token system that represented different values, all guests could find something they loved. Five green items for one red meant that accessibility was at the heart of the evening, not just labels.
Guests browsed through rails piled with everything from linen resort wear to sequinned evening pieces while chatting with a few of Dubai’s leading sustainable fashion designers.
Adding an expert eye to the mix, Eva Vidova, founder of conscious fashion platform, The Moiety, walked through the crowd offering personalised styling, helping ladies uncover clothes they might not have otherwise considered.
Adding more circularity to the night, one of the UAE’s first preloved boutiques, Retold, was there with two rails of secondhand fashion for purchase. Guests could shop on the spot, with designer finds priced at just AED 75 and high-street pieces going for a mere AED 35. It gave everyone an easy, affordable way to pick up something special on top of their clothes swaps.
Before heading home, guests picked up a gift bag with treats from LUSH, Gusto Organic, Drink Dry, and Baya a UAE based brand that offer a range of eco-cleaning products for clothes.
It was a fun, stylish, social clothes swap night. And judging by the the number of empty hangers at the end of it, Dubai is more than ready for more.
All images: Lucid Society Media
