In December, the project and the F/ACT Movement are stepping up their collaboration with the clothing exchange service Popswap - a mobile app that makes it both fun and easy to show off and exchange clothes with each other. eXpression Umeå has met the founder of the service, Lin Kowalska.
The F/ACT Movement project, which is part of eXpression Umeå's activities, is in full swing. The mission is to contribute in various ways to a more sustainable fashion industry, mainly by spreading inspiration and knowledge to consumers, via the project's participants, but also by supporting interesting products and services - hence the collaboration with Popswap.
As the cooperation with the company escalates, we had a chat with the founder, Lin Kowalska. She told us more about the app that will change the way we consume fashion without having to limit our fashion interests.
Lin, a little bit about Popswap, how does the app work?
- It works like a mix of Tinder and Instagram for your clothes, bags and shoes - and it's your clothes that are the currency. Users like clothes while being inspired by each other's wardrobes and photos. When two users like each other's clothes, their wardrobes match and the swap can happen instantly. Popswap is completely decentralised with no middlemen. We provide the platform and are a social network where people go to consume clothes.
How did you get the idea and what makes Popswap stand out?
- I've always changed clothes with friends, since I was little. I had the idea that I wanted to see my friends' and acquaintances' wardrobes digitally where we could offer different exchange suggestions and at the same time give each other tips and inspiration.
How has the feedback of the app been so far?
- It is clear that this type of solution has been missing. If we go down to the level of detail, we have received requests for filters, among other things. Something we responded to immediately.
Can you give any advice to those who want to become more sustainable in their fashion consumption?
- Start by uploading your entire wardrobe to Popswap to get an overview of what you actually own. After all, the most durable wardrobe is the one you use. You don't have to trade anything away or sell it just because it's in the app. Eventually, we'll launch a private wardrobe that only you can see.
What do you hope Popswap will achieve?
- My dream is that Popswap becomes a natural part of everyone's life, where our wardrobes are available digitally. Thanks to Popswap, you can achieve the sustainable wardrobe of your dreams, whether it's always having lots of clothes in your closet, switching to more colour or otherwise keeping it up to date - without guilting the environment or your wallet.
The collaboration with Popswap will now be intensified and all participants are encouraged to use the app and provide useful insights to the developers.
We want to contribute in different ways to a more sustainable fashion industry and one way is to work with companies that share our values and can help the project move forward. Our participants, who we call F/activists, use the app during the course of the project and have regular check-ins with Popswap where they share feedback and ideas that will hopefully improve the service. At this stage, it's a perfect time to step up the collaboration," says Anna Moström, Project Manager of F/ACT Movement.
