Revelstoke women to support their own through love of fashion

Revelstoke women can indulge in each other’s good fashion sense while supporting their own with all proceeds from the Saturday, May 14 clothing swap going towards the Revelstoke Women’s Shelter Society.

Lexie Ast has taken on the massive task of coordinating this event that allows local women to celebrate their love of fashion in the conscientious way that Revelstoke lives by.

“People are very eco conscious and environmentally conscious here,” Ast said. “It’s a good way also to reduce consumption, instead of throwing our clothes out, we can recycle them and put them back into circulation.”

Lexi Ast is organizing the women’s clothes swap event on Saturday May 14. Photo: Emily Kemp/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Ast moved here two years ago from Montreal, with her husband and children, and has enjoyed the attitude change in fashion.

“There’s definitely a B.C. fashion,” Ask said. “I enjoy it, it’s different than being in the city. I feel that fashion is more relaxed here, there’s a sense of eclectism.”

The clothing swap will be held in the Macpherson room at the Community Centre from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Clothes will constantly be refreshed as women arrive with their bags to donate.

Items will be organized on tables by size, including maternity wear and accessories. There will be mirrors but no change rooms.

Women who bring bags of clothes to donate will pay a minimum $5 donation for entry and in return they can fill their empty bags. For those who don’t have anything to donate, the entry donation is a minimum of $10 and they can fill a maximum of two bags.

Ast is donating a few bags herself and she said some people will be donating items still brand new with tags.

“I think there’s going to be a good mix,” she said. From the people I know that are coming, friends and acquaintances, they’re people with good taste.”

All attendees will be entered into the raffle that has over 20 prizes from local retailers including a $250 gift certificate from Daruma Tattoo, and gift certificate from Garnish and a chocolate fondue fountain from Big Mountain Kitchen valued at $119.

Over 20 prizes are up for grabs in the raffle at the women’s clothing swap. Photo: Emily Kemp/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Ast said the support she’s received has been wonderful.

“I wanted to thank everyone,” Ask said. “Just to be able to send a simple mail stating my plan — I could have been anyone — and people responded to me immediately.”

For more information, see the Facebook event.