Project Summary: Interrupt the fast fashion cycle and refresh your wardrobe! 

9am-12pm Clothing Swap/Free Closet

Leave some skirts, take a top! Before you buy your weekly veggies at the farmers market stop by our clothing exchange booth. Bring clothing and accessories that no longer spark joy and pick out a few new things just in time for the summer season. Make and personalize a no-sew t-shirt bag to carry home your new pieces, and chat with sustainability lovers about fast fashion, its harmful impacts on us and the environment and how you can make small changes to avoid it. All items donated will be given away or used during the afternoon Upcycling event, so make sure they are clean and ready for someone else!

1pm-3pm Thrift Flip Workshop

Designing unique one-of-a-kind clothing isn’t just for the runway! Spend an afternoon exploring a variety of basic techniques for customizing your clothing to fit better, reflect your personality and keep items out of the landfill. No need for any prior experience, our group of creative, fashion-forward folks have lots of knowledge in thrifting, sewing, mending and upcycling. They will show you ways to cut, embellish and sew clothing to take a piece from trendy to iconic. Bring some of your own pieces to use or share or choose something from our clothing swap! 

A description of our group:

This event is being hosted by Ali Levassuer, Angela Ventris, Ava Ironside, Erica Wilson, Lizzie Sulla. This group of creative, fashion-forward folks have a shared love of sustainability. They are excited to help you find new ways to reduce your impact on the environment while developing your own personal style.

Artist’s Bios:

Lizzie Sulla (She/her) is serving as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member with the City of Dubuque Sustainability Office. After graduating from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability last May, she moved to Dubuque. She is passionate about sustainability, environmental justice and policy, and learning about different ways that individuals can lead a sustainable life and be good stewards of the Earth. Sustainability is for everyone, and simple changes by one person can snowball into collective action when communities come together and share ideas. Fighting the fast fashion industry by reworking old items into something new and usable is a simple way that individuals can make a difference and create a more sustainable world. 

Websites:

Green Iowa AmeriCorps

Angela’s instagram: @angelaventris

Erica’s art instagram: @ericat.artist