Do we really need that many clothes? This particular question opened the floor at the event “Slowing down fashion: conversations that change, stories that last” on 30 April. The event invited to look at fashion not as an area of ever-changing trends, but as a space for mindful choices.

The three-hour afternoon of discussions and creative experiences in “Opia Garden” space brought together city residents, sustainability activists and well-known faces. The event was moderated by Agnė Tarailaitė and welcomed by Anton Nikitin, Vilnius City Sustainability Department Head, who underlined the city’s commitment to promoting responsible consumption.

First discussion: where do old clothes go?

During the discussion “Where do old clothes go? Reality of textile recycling”, Viktorija Nausėdė, founder of Looptex circular fashion platform, Milda Paukštė, initiator of “Thank You” stops, Prof. Dr. Renata Maldutienė, Head of VAA Fashion Design Department, Vilma Balčiauskaitė, Head of Communications and Marketing at waste management and site maintenance company Ekonovus, explored where the clothes that are discarded in the textile container end up, why textile recycling is stagnating and what role of designers and businesses is in addressing these problems.

Participants spoke openly about systemic gaps, limited recycling options and need to change not only the infrastructure, but also consumption patterns.

Clothes remind of stories

The second part of the event made sustainability a personal and creative challenge. Looptex founder Viktorija Nausėdė, Trytoupcycle founder Povilas Jaudagis, designer Robertas Kalinkinas and stylist Greta Žvinklytė brought some clothes dear to them and told stories behind each of them.

Each story reminded us that clothes are not just material, but also memories, emotions, journeys and experiences. Stylist Greta Žvinklytė used these clothes and accessories to create new combinations – showing how old things can be reborn in a new context. Two members of the audience were invited to try on the new combinations and share their thoughts: could these garments become part of their everyday life? It was a lively reminder that fashion can be not only playful but also conscious and personal at the same time.

Why do we buy more than we need?

The third part of the event – the discussion on the fashion consumption psychology called for a deeper insight: why do people buy more than they really need?

The discussion was attended by designer Robertas Kalinkinas, Trytoupcycle founder Povilas Jaudagis, EU Climate Pact Ambassador Augustė Barbora Budrienė, “Fashion Portal” organiser and Looptex Innovation Project Manager Erikas Marcinkevičius.

Participants analysed emotional and social factors of overconsumption: from the influence of advertising to the desire to express oneself through external attributes. Business initiatives that offer alternatives – encouraging things to be repaired, exchanged, redesigned or otherwise extended their life cycle – were also discussed.

“To promote responsible consumption, Tingit platform organised a quiz where participants who answered correctly were given vouchers for repairing items. They were presented by the platform’s co-founder Robertas Kalinkinas.

The event “Slowing down fashion: conversations that change, stories that last” rounding off the Sustainability Month not only reminded people of the importance of sustainability in everyday life, but also called to explore ways of contributing to more conscious consumption and responsible fashion in the future.