Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Celones Senturk and Christy Billings.
Ally and Christy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Ally Celones Senturk and Christy Billings of swap + sustain. We met in college and became friends almost immediately. We were both creative and had a huge spirit for adventure. We would bond over sharing our dreams, plans for the future, going on trips, eating and exploring different lifestyles. We didn’t have much money so we’d go thrift shopping or borrow clothes from each other before a big night out. One night we decided it would be really fun to get a group of girls together and host a clothing swap over some drinks. What started as a way to save money and meet new people, ended up becoming our passion project, swap + sustain. We found that we valued the sense of connection you get from sharing your wardrobe with other people and exchanging stories. We learned that clothes are very personal. There’s just something really special about seeing your favorite sweater growing up on your best friend. It’s like always having a part of them with you wherever you go.
As we learned more about the environment and the role that fast fashion plays in today’s society, the more we were driven to create something in response to this feeling of overwhelming helplessness. More and more we feel that consumerism preys on our deepest fears and anxieties. By bringing people together and building communities and connections around empathy, openness, and learning we are encouraging people to take care. Take care of yourself, others and ultimately the Earth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Our mindset going into this was, we’re successful if we can just do this thing that we’ve always talked about doing. It was difficult to create something based on an idea and not knowing how to do it or if people would like it. The biggest challenge was having to figure it out as we went along, but that’s also the fun part. Creative learning is a great feedback loop for getting an idea off the ground because there’s a consistent input of knowledge and excitement about this thing you are doing and simultaneously bringing to life.
Please tell us about your work.
Our mission is simple. We want to change the way that we consume. We believe that there are so many different ways to live a deep and fulfilled life, more than accumulating stuff and buying things. Our goal is to teach people that sustainability is a mindset and that it is accessible to everyone. We also know that change is hard and can be daunting, but it’s much easier when you have a network of support behind you.
We produce community building events that encourage attendees to think deeply about the ways they interact with the world and move through life. That everything affects everything else and that swapping even one thing could have a big downstream impact.
We are most known for hosting clothing swaps but are also exploring sustainability and authenticity through traveling, homemaking, and our relationships to others and nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: swapandsustain.com
- Email: swapandsustain@gmail.com
- Instagram: instsagram.com/swapandsustain
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swapandsustain
Image Credit:
Kimberly Kaminski
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