Global Fashion Exchange · Circular fashion as public action
We turn circular fashion into public action.
Global Fashion Exchange partners with cities, brands, schools and institutions to create clothing swaps, cultural events and education programs that bring a more circular fashion system into everyday life.
The premise
The most sustainable garment is the one already in circulation.
People change behaviour by taking part, not by being instructed. A swap in a public square turns a private wardrobe decision into a shared civic moment — and gives a city, a brand or a school a visible way to act on circularity.
Founded in 2011, we have taken that format from a single room to high streets, museums, campuses, fashion weeks and city programmes.
GFX clothing swap · V&A, London · 1 July 2018 · Photo: Bronac McNeill.
How it works
How a swap comes together.
Open a step to see what it involves.
We design the format around your space, your audience and the outcome you need to be able to show.
A swap can be a one-day public activation, a recurring market, a museum programme or a school workshop. We start from the space, the footfall and the story you need to be able to tell, then build the format around it.
Inside the exchange
Look at what a swap feels like.
Browse the photos, or open any image full screen.
Three ways to work with us.
Every program is tailored with local partners. Start where you are.
The swap map
A global footprint, city by city.
49 cities across 28 countries. The map includes swaps, cultural activations and programs that combine them. Choose a filter or city to explore.
Open the full map
Selected work
Public activations with a paper trail.
Documented impact, not aspiration.
Figures as reported by GFX. Method, date ranges and source notes are set out on the Impact page.
1,000,000+ pounds
of clothing recirculated
GFX reporting; figure also cited in 2018 programme coverage for the V&A swap.
1 billion+ impressions
of media reach and coverage
GFX reporting.
26 cities
with a documented GFX or partner activation in this archive.
Counted from the published projects listed on Our Work. GFX has produced work in more cities than are documented here.
In partners' words
“The Nicollet xChange has been a resounding success. It brings people together in a fun and engaging way, while promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. This aligns perfectly with our mission of creating a clean, green, safe and vibrant downtown, and it is a great gathering space over the lunch hour on Tuesdays downtown.”
Next
What could a GFX activation do for your city?
Tell us where you are and what you need to be able to show. We'll come back with a format, a partner map and a realistic timeline.