Last Saturday, a charity party took place took place to celebrate three years of clothing auctions in Beijing. I have spoken about clothing auctions before and this movement has taken over the female international community in Beijing. If you have not attended a clothes auction yet you are missing out.
Around 50 women came together in Hotel EAST in Lido to raise money for the Starfish Project, a nonprofit organization that helps women in need. Clothes auctions have been sponsored by Cheers for a whole year and this party was no exemption, Hotel EAST gracefully sponsored us with a perfect venue in the bar private area. We had two amazing photographers, Lalita Khametova and Yiman Lau, who captured the many moments of laughter. We raised over RMB 6,000 during the auction.
Slow and Ethical Fashion
Reusing and repurposing clothing is best for Earth. We try to empty our closets of things we don’t need and find new homes for them instead of buying new. Every piece matters and manufacturing clothing is bad for Mother Nature. So we should do our bit by reusing and re-loving.
Charity
The host of clothes auctions usually picks a charity and we donate all the proceeds to this cause. This part for me is important as I am yet in a position to give my actual money to charity. However, buying myself a new wardrobe and donating my clothes is something I can do. Although this seems little, all the auctions in Beijing have added up to a total over RMB 70,000 over three years.
Community
Being an expat is hard, but clothes auctions bring women together. I have met many unlikely friends at auctions and have laughed so much. Sharing a night together while shopping and having wine and nibbles is the grandest way to make new girlfriends. In over three years, more than 300 women have been connected in Beijing by various clothes auctions.
Photos: Lalita Khametova and Yiman Lau
