Mend in Public Day Aims To Revive Campus Fashion
Loose button on your favorite shirt? Torn hem on a skirt you love? Worn-out elbows or knees in jeans and sweaters?
Not a problem for the volunteers of Hartwick’s inaugural Mend in Public Day on Friday, April 25.
Inspired by Fashion Revolution, the event aims to assist and teach students, faculty and staff basic mending skills to extend the wear life of their clothing. Founded in 2013, Fashion Revolution seeks to educate people about the plight of many “fast fashion” garment workers and end what they call “throwaway culture” when it comes to clothing. The organization also strives to bring awareness to “resist the cycle of excess through repair and reuse.”
“Mend in Public Day is a great example of how we as a community can practice sustainability,” said Samantha Lara, associate director of the Belonging Center. “We would love to see students, staff and faculty bring out some of their textiles that need some small repairs and give them a second chance at use.”
According to Earth.org, The average US consumer throws away 81.5 lbs of clothes every year, making for an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste in landfills.
The event, which is a collaboration between the Belonging Center, Campus Vibrancy and the Office of Civic Engagement, is set for noon – 1 p.m. on Friday, April 25, in Stack Lounge. Mending materials will be provided and volunteers will be on hand to help make repairs.
