SWAP Til You Drop

by Emily Rippe
Shopping doesn't have to be expensive or exhausting, especially if it's offered at a free social event. On Sunday, November 4th, SWAP*Toledo, in partnership with Innovation Concerts, brings us the first ever SWAP*Meet at Mickey Finn's Pub. It's a clothing, shoes and accessories trade-off, where it doesn't cost you a penny to donate or take items. Instead, you can peruse a wide selection of gently-used items while listening to live music and sipping on signature cocktails. SWAP*Meet runs from  5-10 p.m.

Behind the event are some of Toledo's top fashionistas, including organizers Jordan Killam, Ginger Agby and Renee Granados. Killam had previous success with organizing intimate clothing swaps in New York (where she lived ten years prior to relocating back to Toledo), and helped her friends arrange another swap party in downtown Toledo. There was a lot of initial interest in the clothing swap concept, and the women had to limit the amount of participants so everything could fit into one apartment.

But that didn't stop these fashionable ladies from attempting something bigger. Modeling their group and event off Boston's own Swapaholics (a fashion blog and collective of clothing swap enthusiasts), SWAP*Toledo wanted to reach out to the rest of the female population in the surrounding area.

"Toledo is not a dead city," Killam said. "There are stylish, clever and thrifty people living here who are looking to connect to each other in unique ways."

Joining forces with Kirsten Ingram and Broc Curry of Innovation Concerts, SWAP*Toledo's public event is starting to shape up into something bigger than they ever imagined. Both parties agreed it would be best to host it at a bar, and since Mickey Finn's is reinventing itself as more than just a music venue, the location seemed ideal. Plus, a venue as large as Finn's could offer special drinks, live entertainment, and enough room to fit a photo booth so guests can show off their fancy new finds.

So how does SWAP*Meet work, exactly? As a swapper, there are a few guidelines you can read on SWAP*Toledo's Facebook event page, but mostly they are just looking for gently-used items that can be worn to work, school or a night out on the town. Killam explained the golden rule.

"We're encouraging swappers to bring clothes and accessories they could imagine seeing on someone else's body," she said.

In addition to the clothing swap, the event will feature special performances by Gold, Smudge Candy and DJs Simplicity and Tina G. A number of free raffle giveaways from local vendors will be available to guests. There will even be a couple of women-focused organizations present, including the YWCA and Advocating Opportunity who will hand out information and offer ways to get involved. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for both.

For more information on the event, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/410338789021560/?fref=ts.
Published: 10/17/2012

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