If you have a bunch of clothes you no longer wear and you want them to be someone else’s treasure, this clothing swap store in Cainta, Rizal is the perfect place to bring them in!
Founded by Bianca Gregorio of Re-Clothing, Moda Laya is the first swap store in the Philippines that aims to make sustainable shopping easy, accessible, and affordable for everyone. The shop has over 195 pieces of clothing for you to swap with and the set changes regularly so you’ll always have new items to choose from. Feel free to come back anytime to swap your clothes! You can get their monthly unliswap regular pass for only P350. If you’re a student, you can get it for only P250.
About Moda Laya
Moda Laya by the Re Center was established through the #DestinationZero grant provided by the British Council in support of making sustainability mainstream and accessible in the Philippines. All clothing pieces are made out of eco-friendly deadstock fabric and the collective effort of Bianca’s team. Plus, they work with garment communities and stay-at-home moms in Cainta, Rizal to produce these unique and upcycled items.
At Moda Laya, rather than disposing of your unwanted clothes for good, you can swap them for other amazing pieces at the store and take part in circular fashion. Don’t worry, there’s always something for everyone no matter your shape, size, gender, or style. They even have an alteration and DIY area where you can have your clothes altered by their in-house seamstress, Ate Rebecca.
The best part is they have an in-house cafe where you can enjoy great local coffee while waiting for your clothes. Here, they also feature artworks that are up for purchase and a section where you can write a letter to your future self.
Aside from being a one-stop shop for sustainable clothing, Moda Laya’s quaint store is also open for workshops, bazaars, swap parties, or intimate events.
Swapping 101
Keep in mind that this shop is not merely a place for you to discard your unwanted or damaged clothes. Since they will be owned by someone else, the items need to be clean and in good condition.If you like, you can also attach a little note on your clothes about a special memory you associate with them. This way, the clothes will be more unique and special for the next owner.
The Importance of Sustainable Fashion
With the amount of clothing that we discard every year due to fast fashion, it’s no wonder that the fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to climate change.
According to a 2017 survey by YouGov, 29% of Filipinos have thrown away an item of clothing after wearing it just once. The world’s population consumes around 62 million tonnes of clothes every year but only 20% is being reused or recycled. Imagine how much waste is being accumulated from all our discarded clothing.
Apart from that, fashion brands are also resorting to using cheap raw materials to produce affordable clothing at a quick rate. Most of them use synthetic textiles which are extremely harmful to the environment. According to a Greenpeace study, polyester—which is present in 60% of clothing—emits nearly three times more carbon dioxide in its life cycle compared to cotton.
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| Graphic from The Perils of Fast Fashion, GMA News |
As shown in the fashion documentary The True Cost, fast fashion also results in unethical labor practices and poor working conditions. Most of the time, workers are exposed to harmful substances while working in places with poor ventilation. This health risk has led to the death of many garment employees, especially those from third-world countries. All this just to mass produce pieces of clothing that will only be worn once or twice by consumers.
The damaging impact of fast fashion on workers and the environment is not to be overlooked. As individuals, we can minimize its harmful effects by switching to sustainable and eco-friendly options. Instead of immediately buying new clothes to replace your old ones, try mending or upcycling them first. Avoid buying new clothing unless you have a real need for it.
Alternatively, you can take part in circular fashion by buying secondhand items or swapping clothes at Moda Laya, Basically Borrowed, and other sustainable clothing stores in the country. Remember: New is not always better. Preloved clothes are actually just as good or even better than brand new ones.
