To say Sunday’s Fall Clothing Swap, sponsored by CO-OPhx, was a big success would be an understatement. Jennifer and I have been so impressed with the way the Swap team has worked so hard since the first swap a mere three seasons ago to put on an event that combines community, conscientious consumerism and clothing. But the team is really hitting their stride, as evidenced with the turnout on Sunday. Through their vision and ambition, Kelsey, Karla and the team have transformed an event that started in Kelsey’s backyard to a true community event combining the creative talents of several local food truck vendors, small business owners and entrepreneurs.

More than 250 swappers shared their wares at Frances on the warm October day. Several collaborators offered DIY tables for added entertainment, including t-shirt making with Carbon Magazine and necklace and hard scarf designing with Hearts.com. The ladies at Hearts. com, an environmentally friendly clothing label were excited to talk about their new site, which is launching this week. Violet from Revera was also on hand with her heavenly smelling all-natural aromatherapy and bath salts. We were on hand to provide style advice to the swappers, which was a lot of fun.

Kelsey reported that 1600 pounds of items were donated and that $250 was raised for the Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. Fresh Start will also receive all unswapped items.

Although I didn’t pick up any new items at the swap, I was very excited to learn that one of my favorite former students Kendra Worsnup, a fashion blogger for the Downtown Devil’s A Tailored Place, picked up two of my donated items. I’m happy they have a new life on such a fashionable young woman! She will wear them well. She also wrote a great recap of the event.

We were once again proud to be part of this event, and really amazed to see how much its grown in less than a year. It’s a testament not only to the team’s hard work, but also to the growing sense of community spirit that is taking over Phoenix. We are optimistic that this local pride will only continue to flourish.

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The second stop on our busy weekend tour was at Sunday’s Summer Clothing Swap Co-OPhx. We were so honored to once again be a part of this innovative event — the idea of recycling beloved items by sharing them with others in the community ties in so well with Style Tutor’s mission of helping people maximize their style in an affordable way. And by all accounts, the Swap was a great success! Goodie bags featured a mobile download from the lovely ladies at Carbon Magazine and discounts to local vendors (and more treats from Smeeks!), and Phoenix New Times Big Brain Award winner Ashley Eaton was there with vintage selections from her very cool mobile Merry May Shoppe. The 60-some Swappers picked up a lot of great stuff, and we had a lot of fun taking pictures in the huge frame.

We continue to be impressed with the Co-OPhx crew. They are passionate about fostering community in Phoenix and they throw all their adorable youthful energy into their work. We look forward to continuing our partnership at events to come. And if you missed this Swap, start tucking items away to swap at the next one sometime in the fall.

While putting our chic geek skills to the test at WordCamp Phx last weekend, Jennifer and I had the good fortune of meeting fellow Phoenician Kelsey Wong, who was finalizing the details for her first Clothing Swap Co-OPhx. She explained to us the simple but pretty brilliant concept: each swapper brings a bag of swag (clothing, shoes, accessories) to share and leaves with a bag of entirely new (to them) swag. Anything not swapped would be donated to a local charity.

Kelsey’s hope was that the event would celebrate the power of personal style and give swappers the opportunity to revitalize their wardrobes with items once loved by others.  And unlike at a secondhand or resale store, the Clothing Swap Co-OPhx would connect shoppers to fellow fashion-lovers, local artists and creative types showcasing their wares. As the event grows, she said, she envisions an event that celebrates the thriving creative community that truly does exist in Phoenix.

Jennifer and I were excited to attend the first Swap, in our first issue official public outing as Style Tutors. Kelsey hosted the event at her home, an adorable place in central Phoenix, along with her roommate Jake and friend Sydney. A cheery band of volunteers and a small but enthusiastic crowd of swappers got the afternoon started with a champagne toast, and then it was time to shop! Carbon Magazine, a local independent fashion magazine, sponsored the event and gave away some cool metallic hair cuffs to attendees. Local photographers and jewelry makers Jordan Degnan and Kristalyn Digioia took photos of the event. Jake’s artwork was displayed around the house — I look forward to working with him to add some color to my empty walls; he had some really great stuff.

Admiring a colorful painting by Jake Michael.

Admittedly, Jennifer and I were at least 10 years older than the rest of the crowd, but we both still walked away with a couple of adorable swapped items. I am especially over the moon about a fun navy giraffe-print skirt I picked up. I can’t wait to wear it with a striped top for a little pattern mixing. And we definitely enjoyed fielding some Style Tutor questions and helping steer some swappers in the direction of a few must-have items. Most importantly, we donated our services to one lucky swapper who will be receiving a free closet restyling. We’ll be spending time with the winner in her closet, as we identify the marquee pieces of her wardrobe and reorganize the space to make the most of the items already in there. Of course we’ll be posting the outcome of the closet visit soon.

Love this JC Penney boys plaid shirt to wear under this striped sweater.

I was impressed with the event. It was inspiring to meet a group of creative young Phoenicians with varied talents, from artists to journalists to photographers to jewelry makers to shoppers, all coming together to help support an effort to make their city feel a little more like other urban metropolises. Kelsey is a delightfully passionate and intelligent young woman who believes in her idea; I think as the word gets out,  future Clothing Swap Co-OPhx events will be packed with people. I know I’m looking forward to going back to score some more swapped goodies.