Swishing is taking off; Fashion & health

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), Dec 4, 2008

Byline: By HILARIE STELFOX Feature Writer

TWIGGY has certainly started something with her clothes swap television series.

Swishing, as it's known, is catching on fast.

In the last month Huddersfield has seen two swishing events, one run to raise funds for charity, the other as the first in a commercial enterprise.

Forget Me Not Trust supporter Nikki Schofield (pictured) opened up her Outlane home to host a swishing event, which netted pounds 600 for the charity. Guests were asked to pay pounds 5 admission and bring along their nearly new clothes and accessories, which were then sold for pounds 10 an item.

They called their event a Swap Shop and included nibbles and a drink in the ticket price.

Katy Buckley, however, has decided to see if she can make a business from swishing and held her first Frock Swap at the Swan in Kirkburton.

Joining forces with two friends, she was inspired by various swishing websites. Swishers were asked to pay pounds 5 entry but could take home as many items as they liked once the event opened.

Katy says swishing has taken off in a really big way in London and is the economical and environmentally-friendly way to shop in a credit crunch.

The chances are that swishing is set to become a popular way to get a new outfit in the North too.