by Faye Delanty of Fashion Hound
Could our words be a weapon of mass reconstruction!?
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me!’ Or can they? Our thoughts absolutely have the ability to become things, so imagine what the words we speak have the power to do.
Transform or tarnish!?
When we think of the word donation from an op shop perspective…what does it conjure up? And what about when we add the word bin to it?
Do these words paint the positive picture we want to portray, or do they convey a more pessimistic outlook with perhaps a sense of pity for the receiver, rather than the dignity they deserve?
Does the current connotation around these words – charity bin – also make it easier for people to feel OK about dumping?
As if the most disadvantaged in our society don’t deserve quality? We all know what kind of stuff can be dumped in the form of a donation!
I wonder what would happen if we changed the word from donation to gift and encouraged people to look the recipient in the eye when they bestowed it? Or at least imagine it as a gift.
Delivering their goods by hand to staff in store or meeting the many people those donations has the potential to heal.
Now that’s a real gift.
Now I’m not a gambling gal but I could pretty much bet my thrifted Manolo Blahniks that it would be a very different story if we changed the language, to change the behaviour. Reverse psychology or shop-ology if you will.
Giving the gift of thrift from a space of kindness and thought, as if for a friend would generate a much more meaningful exchange. Education and encouragement for donors is key too, raising awareness and the vibration around what they deem acceptable to donate to a charity. ‘Does your donation count or cost’ is a powerful coin of phrase to consider. Connecting with community, supporting the mission of a worthy cause, creating new possibilities for the ones society forgot. When all done with love, can propel the collective forward enormously.
An ‘upcycled’ store; one of Faye’s ‘Street Boutique’ collaboration with Salvos Stores, they now have 16 across Australia!
When I started my eco styling journey over 6 years ago with the Salvos we had a little dream that has now become a big deal, it’s a testament to the positive power of the share economy. This was our first street boutique in Darlinghurst, Sydney. I wanted to show people just how chic second hand and indeed the right kind of thoughtful donations can become. Small stores within our stores, a sustainable, stylish offering that empowers local community and diverts textile waste from landfill.
Fast forward to 2018 and we now have 16 Salvos street boutiques across our NSW, QLD and ACT Stores plus one in WA. They not only support the mission of the Salvation Army they also help to shift perceptions of second hand clothing. I believe we should change the donation language and see the process more like giving a gift, one that you would gladly present to a friend… because my friends… this is what it can look like. No marks, stains or moth ball smells here just style that heals…
Spring is a great time to clear out your closet responsibly and share the (pre)love PLUS National Op Shop Week kicks off Sept 30-Oct 6 – So get amongst it and give the gift of thrift – Faye @fayedelanty
So perhaps we should gather up our ‘sticks and stones’ and use them to reconstruct a new donation style!? Donations as real gifts.
Winston Churchill knew where it was at when he stated. ‘We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.’
Words by Faye Delanty of www.fashionhound.tv, republished with author’s permission. Original post here.
Faye Delanty of Fashion Hound
Faye Delanty is a Salvos Store Ambassador who through eco-styling and media conversations is changing the way people view thrift-shopping.
Blogging and influencing at Fashionhound.tv, Faye uses her skills to reinvent donated clothing into stylish looks for anything from a personal occasion to a television appearance, and shows how easy it can be to reproduce celebrity looks with op-shopped pieces from outlets such as Salvos Stores.
With a background in environmental kids TV, she says she marries her two loves – story telling and planet saving style.
Her motto is “Style to Save the Planet” and she’s helping convince us all that Second hand never has to mean second best.
Thank you for sharing your vision for the future of ‘thrift’ becoming a ‘gift’! We love your way with words and beautiful re-loved styling – Sophie, Ethical Fashion Review™
Welcome to the Ethical Fashion community!
To submit an article and share your vision for a sustainable and ethical fashion future, Contact Us.
