How Disha Collective went from a study circle to a clothes swap party, to save the world

At the Clothes Swapping Party in Hyderabad participants can bring in clothes that they no longer wear to be exchanged
All the leftover clothes from the event will be given to charity, says Tejasvi
All the leftover clothes from the event will be given to charity, says Tejasvi

Don't we all have those clothes which we don't wear anymore? Well, at least Hyderabadis will have a chance to swap it for better at the Clothes Swapping Party being hosted by Disha Collective and Paaka Organic Cafe. Picture this: Participants walking in with clothes that they no longer wish to own. Washed and ironed, they are ready to be worn by another. After handing these over to the volunteers, participants get tokens in exchange for which they can pick up the clothes they like. This party isn't limited to clothes alone though — bags, shoes and accessories are also more than welcome.

Disha Collective started as a study circle where students can gather and talk about issues which affect them and the world on a monthly basis

Such will be the atmosphere on August 19 from 10 am to 1 pm at the cafe. "We thought this concept won't work here because of people’s mindset of not wanting to wear someone else's clothes but the response is wonderful," says Tejasvi Dantuluri, one of the co-founders of Disha Collective. It was she who participated in a similar event about four months back while shooting a documentary in Sweden. From there, she was travelling to the comparatively colder Norway, hence, she swapped her spring clothes for some warm winter wear at the event. Knowing that this is something that is a common occurrence abroad, especially in the European countries, she wanted to organise one in her own city as well. 

All smiles: Participants at Beyond Organic, Disha Collective's Consumer Farmer Connect initiative

The point of organising this event is to drive home the point of sustainable consumerism. "Every time trends or fashion changes, we tend to buy a new set of clothes. We have become slaves to consumerism. This event is being organised to make everyone environmentally conscious when it comes to clothes as well," informs the 27-year-old, while adding that the initiative is also in line with Disha Collective's objective of doing something for the environment. Also, the event won't be about clothes swapping alone! After being greeted with a glass of fruit juice and surveying the clothes around, one can also listen to the talk which will be conducted at 12 pm, on the trend of cloth swapping, about mindsets around second-hand products and how to be a more sustainable customer.

They will collect a Rs 100 fee from everyone for organising the logistics such as hangers, posters and publicity material 

What surprised Tejasvi was that acquaintances who did not turn up for other initiatives organised by Disha Collective, which was started by her father back in 2009 in Pune, like tree planting drives and so on, are showing interest. "I understood that not everyone likes to engage and do something for the environment in the same way," says the alumnus of the University of Hyderabad. And if you have other plans and are going to miss the party, don't worry. Disha Collective is planning on making this a monthly affair! So sort your clothes well in advance and wait for their call.    

For more on them, click on facebook.com/dishacollective/

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