With the environmental toll of the apparel industry becoming an increasing concern as a key contributor to the rise in global warming, the hottest trend in fashion is not skirt length or the color of the season. It’s sustainability and resale, with vintage, consignment and online services like The Real Real and Poshmark booming.
In Darien, the DCA Thrift Shop on the Post Road has been in on that trend for over 90 years and has become a local hub for in-the-know fashionistas to scoop up premium and contemporary designer goods at thrift shop prices.
To focus on the need for more eco-friendly shopping, the Darien Community Association will present a Sustainable Fashion Show on Wednesday, September 14 (new date) featuring designer fashions that sell at its DCA Thrift Shop. The show will feature local models showcasing outfits styled with items from premium designers including Gucci, Celine, Jil Sander, Valentino and Prada as well as many contemporary labels like Rag & Bone, Mother and Helmut Lang. All clothing, shoes, bags and accessories from the runway, as well as additional goods for women, men and children, will be available for sale in a shopping event following the show.
Tickets for the event, which will be held at the Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road in Darien, are $25 and can be purchased via the DCA’s website at dariendca.org.
The evening begins with a wine reception at 7:00pm with the show kicking off at approximately 7:30pm and shopping to follow. All ticket buyers will be entered in a door prize to win a Jimmy Choo handbag. A separate raffle featuring other designer bags will also be part of the event. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at the DCA Thrift Shop, 966 Boston Post Road, Darien, starting on August 30 as well as at the show. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20.
“The fashion show provides a great opportunity for us to showcase the high quality clothing and accessories that we sell at the shop. With resale becoming increasingly popular, the time was right for us to put the spotlight on the Thrift Shop as a great place to go to find sustainable fashion,” said Deb Danile, Thrift Shop Manager.
The DCA has been enriching the Darien community for 99 years with thought-provoking programs, lectures and classes, philanthropy including scholarships for Darien High School graduates, our volunteer-staffed DCA Thrift Shop on the Post Road, and by providing a beautiful setting for private parties and special events.
The DCA Thrift Shop was founded in 1931 to supply clothing and food to families in need, and offer employment for women during the Depression. Workers washed and mended donated clothing and repaired household articles, which were then sold at very low prices. Today’s Thrift Shop is run by volunteers, proud to continue the tradition of helping the community. They have expanded the merchandise to include jewelry, books, home furnishings, accessories, and more. Over 1,000 customers make purchases at the shop each month. All profits support the mission of the DCA, including scholarships for Darien High School graduates.