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Exchange for Change

The festival for a fashionable world without poverty

Presented by Oxfam Australia and CarriageWorks

The festival for a fashionable world without poverty

The latest kicks, those perfect fitting jeans, that jaw-dropping dress. We all have fashion cravings. But often our fashion sense has a flow-on effect that we don’t get to see. What are our clothes made of? Who makes them? Under what conditions? Could we be making better choices – more eco-friendly, people-friendly choices?

CarriageWorks is delighted to join forces with Oxfam Australia for a series of events that examine the workings of the fashion industry. Exchange for Change celebrates responsible and ethical practices, and focuses on what we can do in our every day lives to make a difference. 

Stitched together with a lineup of live local music, and wintry treats from the CarriageWorks café and bar, this is an event for anyone ready to evolve their fashion sense.

THURSDAY | TALK

Stories: Rising to the challenge

Through an intimate panel discussion, hear the stories of people who have risen to the challenge of influencing positive change within the fashion industry. More info

Speakers include:
Daisy Gardener, Labour Rights Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam Australia
Emer Diviney, National Coordinator, Ethical Clothing Australia
Kelley Sheenan, Founder and Editor of Peppermint Magazine
Matthew Paroz, Director of the blog How Big Is Your Eco
Marty Dillon, Founder and Director of fashion label 3FISH
Sue Thomas, Lecturer in Fashion, School of Architecture and Design, RMIT

DATE     Thursday 29 July
TIME      6.30 - 830pm
VENUE    Bay 20, CarriageWorks
TICKETS Free! Just turn up!

FRIDAY | WALK

Walk and Talk: Designer Showcase

Young, motivated Australian designers have been hand-picked from across the country to showcase the steps they have taken to produce fairer and more sustainable garments. Pieces will be modelled with an emphasis on the beauty of ethically designed fashion, and the innovation behind their making. More Info

DATE      Friday 30 July
TIME      Choose from 2 sessions: 6.30 – 8pm or 8.30 – 10pm
VENUE    Bay 20, CarriageWorks
TICKETS RSVP essential*

SATURDAY | SWAP

Rethreads: free mass clothing exchange

Rethreads is for the style & sustainability savvy. Here, clothing is your currency - bring up to 20 of your best cast-offs, and exchange them for new pieces to reinvigorate your wardrobe. There is no entry fee, so anyone can participate! There are guidelines for what you should and really shouldn’t bring, so make sure you check the website for info prior to rocking up. More Info

Workshops and Interactive Spaces

While at Rethreads, you’ll have the opportunity to meet representatives from Oxfam Australia’s labour rights unit and other organisations fighting for fair fashion. There’ll also be hands-on sewing workshops including Rethreads Re-fashioned, a workshop run by The Social Studio where you can re-vamp your old clothes or a piece from the swap.

DATE     Saturday 31 July
TIME      12 - 6pm
VENUE    Foyer, CarriageWorks
TICKETS Free! Just turn up!

CAN’T MAKE IT TO OUR GIANT SWAP? HOLD YOUR OWN.

Get some friends or your community group together and start a swapping culture in your neighbourhood today.
Download Oxfam Australia's Swap Kit here

ETHICS ON TOAST | Presented by 3things

Take a seat in the CarriageWorks’ foyer at breakfast time to hear three ethical fashion connoisseurs talk about their three burning issues within the fashion industry. Presented by Oxfam’s 3things project, this is a session set to awaken sleepy brains and ignite conversation around some of the more controversial and intriguing facets of the fashion industry. More Info

Credible Accreditation

Accreditation logos like Fairtrade and Australian Made exist to help us make ethical purchases, but what do they all mean? Does it give products the big tick, or is it just the beginning? We also dish out tips on where and how you can find ethical fashion.

Speakers Include:
Emer Diviney, National Coordinator, Ethical Clothing Australia
Jen Djula, Founder and Director of Blue Caravan

We’re Walking in Their Shoes

Consider the life of an Indonesian textiles worker and join the dots between the conditions they work in and the shoes on your feet. A philosophical, big picture talk by a provocative and passionate speaker.

Speakers Include:
Sue Thomas, Lecturer in Fashion, School of Architecture and Design, RMIT

The Social Studio

The Social Studio generates education and employment pathways for the young refugee community in Melbourne. Meet one of their designers as they share their individual journey and share what they’ve learnt about fashion, textiles and ethical business.

Speakers Include:
Grace McQuilten, Founder and Director of The Social Studio

DATE       Saturday 31 July
TIME        8.30 – 10.45am
VENUE     Foyer, CarriageWorks
TICKETS  Free! Just turn up!

SUPER SEMINAR

Oxfam Australia has been engaging with corporations including Nike for the rights of workers in the fashion industry for more than 15 years. Hear from Oxfam staff about the progress that has been made and the work that remains to be done to ensure that workers producing the clothes we love have their rights respected. More Info

With Daisy Gardener, Oxfam Australia’s Labour Rights Advocacy Coordinator.

DATE       Saturday 31 July
TIME        7 – 8.30pm
VENUE     Bay 17, CarriageWorks
TICKETS  Free! Just turn up!

*To reserve a place in one of these free seminars, please email exchangeforchange@oxfam.org.au with the full names of all attendees, which session you would like to attend, and your contact phone number. Confirmation of your place/s will be emailed.