In a bid to introduce students to ‘new’ circular practices in fashion sustainability before they go out into the world, the Fashion and Textiles department at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted an event titled: Swap till you drop at the Brickfield Campus.

Fashion and Textiles lecturer, Raveena Naidu explained that the event was attended by staff and students who were inspired by the department’s sustainability portfolio that she is responsible for.

Sustainability is also a big part of the university’s ENVISION2023 strategy. For the event, students brought in their pre-loved clothing items. The department then gave them a ticket for each item submitted. On the day of the event, students used these tickets to purchase a clothing item of their choice on display at the venue.

Naidu said she hopes that the event would help start a conversation on fashion and sustainability. In addition, she also identified changes that needed to be made to understand the way fashion impacts the environment.

“We need to understand that fashion has so much to offer, and we need to make changes in terms of how fashion impacts the environment and climate change,” she said.

Students were equally excited to swap till they drop and said they wished it would become an annual feature on the department’s calendar.

Third-year fashion student, Lili Madlala, shared that the event had the potential of bringing positivity to their campus.

“This programme definitely encourages sustainability and good ethical work, especially for students who are in the fashion industry,” said Madlala.

Pictured: Fashion and Textiles lecturer Raveena Naidu with her students at the Swap till you drop event.

Photoprapher: Nondumiso Sibisi

Sthembile Ndlovu