Populace Threads is a sustainable-fashion trading platform focussed on building a giant online wardrobe enabled by technology, that will create economic value, disrupt current supply chains and drive social change.
It’s an incredible online sharing marketplace that is available for anyone to join at no cost - like a ‘giant, online wardrobe that everyone can use’. With just a few clicks you’re a member of this community and once you’re in you can upload the clothes, shoes or accessories you no longer need. And for every item you share on the platform, you can take another item out – all for no charge.
It’s not renting, or consignment, or buying – it’s more like sharing or swapping in a safe, convenient online platform, and best of all, there is no cost to be a member or to secure the items you want. You simply need to arrange your own postage or swap location.
Through Populace Threads, I am focussed on two specific outcomes; extending the life of fashion items so that we can reduce waste; and, providing equitable access to quality clothing for all people, regardless of their income bracket.
“I LOVE THE IDEA THAT THROUGH POPULACE THREADS WE CAN IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE METRICS THROUGH REDUCING WASTE, AND ALSO ON SOCIAL EQUITY METRICS BY PROVIDING A CHANNEL FOR QUALITY CLOTHING FOR ALL, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EARN. OUR MANTRA IS THAT ‘FASHION SHOULDN’T COST THE EARTH’.
The statistics that inspired me to invest time and money into building Populace Threads are all too real. The average Australian woman purchases approximately 27kgs of clothing each year and wears an item only 7 times before getting rid of it, contributing to the approximately 9.5 billion kgs of textiles that end up in landfills each year; 108 million non-renewable resources are used each year to produce clothing – for instance, a single cotton t-shirt takes 2700 litres of water to produce; and the average person only wears 33% of what’s in their wardrobe. So instead of further contributing to what is already a global problem, why not share the other 67% instead of throwing it away?
I am passionate about making a difference to people and the planet by changing the consumer view of clothing and fashion.” But “sustainability and circular fashion is a complex, multi-layered war fought on many fronts. Individuals, organisations and governments must all take action (big and small) to create change. With Populace Threads, our small yet significant part of this whole is to provide a platform that makes it easy for people to recycle, reuse and share fashion.
So next time you’re in the market for a wardrobe refresh, hit the link for Populace Threads and be part of a community that is going to slow down fast fashion. The more active members there are, the more we can contribute to sustainability and equitable access outcomes.
Images: Unsplash: Elice Moore / Arun Sharma / Zeny Rosalina