Run exclusively by young women, Threading Change, a Canada-based ethical nonprofit focusing on fashion, came to SXSW on Wednesday. Aiming to expand their global presence in North America, they provided attendees with materials to decorate their SXSW tote bags.
“With fast fashion and ultra-fast fashion you wear your clothes two or three times, then throw it away,” said Aish Mann, Threading Change development and impact director and host of the event. “But if you put effort into embroidering your name on it or if you have a cool patch on it … you’re likely going to take care of it more.”
Held in the Hilton hotel attached to the Austin Convention Center, the event was free and open to all to attend without prior reservations. With a turnout of around sixty people the event still provided enough materials for each person to personalize the basic bag. Mariah Klaus said the event inspired them to start up-cycling on their own.
“(There’s) a jean jacket I love to wear, but it could be more interesting with pins on it or something like that,” Klaus said.
Along with the desire to start up-cycling, many attendees said they were worried about their creativity and skills when it comes to designing their clothing and accessories. However, the event’s openness and positive community allowed them to put their worries at rest and dedicate time to using their creativity.
“It’s hard to find time at (SXSW) … here you actually get to sit down or do something calming and not so much information overload sessions. So that’s what interested me,” said Lindsey Goodwin, another attendee.
Klaus also found the event calming and said it helps to spark conversation to build a more friendly environment.
“(At the festival) people are like, ‘I get a free drink, let’s go,’ and go with their friends they already know,” Klaus said. “We don’t get a lot of actual conversation, but with this, you can’t really be on your phone or huddled up.”
Threading Change plans to host more events similar to the tote bag customization through North America, inspiring people to start making clothing into self-expression. Mann said she hopes the event, and their future events, spark a habit of modification and personalization.
“You’re not like everybody else,” Mann said. “You’ve got your own personality and your own twist, and that’s what SXSW is about.”
