The idea
With Love From (WLF) is a community project based in Oswestry, founded and managed by local volunteers. Currently registering as a CIC. On a mission to reduce the environmental & ethical impact of fashion through the promotion of better choices. Encouraging people to slow down their shopping habits; repair, re-wear, share and care for the clothing that already exists. Hosting events, talks and educational workshops raising awareness about the challenges caused by the current fashion system and driving communities towards a better fashion future for people and planet.
We will adapt the existing WLF 'shared wardrobe' to align with the library system.
All Oswestry Library card holders will be able to;
- Donate party clothing, footwear and accessories
- Browse a ‘pilot collection’ of festive outfits supplied by WLF
- Borrow items from the shared wardrobe library for a period of six weeks
- Purchase items from WLF
This shared wardrobe will operate as an additional library service.
What we'll deliver
- A shared wardrobe of occasion wear accessible from Oswestry Library
- Party outfit donation service managed by Oswestry Library staff
- Collection of beautiful party clothing, footwear and accessories available to all library card holders
- Online library/catalogue of the shared wardrobe items which can be browsed by library users
- WLF volunteers will collect any items to be repaired/customised by local students/upcyclers/designers
- Educational messages, workshops and talks about the challenges caused by the current fashion system
- Educational messages, workshops and talks highlighting positive community action to drive change
Why it's a great idea
Our project will increase visibility and accessibility of sustainable fashion options for the local community of North Shropshire. In doing so, this project will also incorporate the following benefits:
- Boost local and global textile waste reduction. British people throw away 72 items of clothing every year from their wardrobes. By sharing our wardrobes we are reducing the amount of clothing sent to landfill and providing local, sustainable clothing waste options for North Shropshire residents.
- Giving local people cost-effective options for otherwise expensive occasion wear.
- Promoting and encouraging 'better choices' for fashion. Extending the life of clothing by 9mnths of active use would reduce waste, water and carbon footprints by 20-30% each.
- Support the local circular economy through changing behaviours in the way we shop, wear, repair and care for our clothing.
- Develop a 'library of things' to be proud of and drive footfall to other local library services.
Steps to get it done
- Installing a pilot collection of clothing, footwear and accessories within Oswestry Library
- Creating an outfit donation system within Oswestry Library
- Creating an online catalogue of the pilot collection
- Hosting a launch event for the shared wardrobe
- Monthly project review and evaluation
- Researching viability and scope for scaling project across Shropshire
- Producing project impact statement
