QueerSwap is an LGBTQ+ clothing swap that enables everyone in the queer community to find clothing that fits and expresses their individuality and affirm their identity in a more sustainable way, without breaking the bank. This holiday season, we are bringing you an extra-special QueerSwap with a local, sustainable queer holiday mini-market, and a variety of upcycled crafting/gift workshops. Hackney Bridge also has an incredible food hall with a bunch of amazing options to choose from - we recommend using this space to grab a bite, a bevvie, and socialise.
Interested in volunteering? Our sign-up sheet is here!
❄️❄️❄️ WHAT TO BRING (RECENTLY UPDATED!) ❄️❄️❄️
We will not accept any items that are dirty, stained, torn (with the exception of “distressed” items), missing buttons, have broken zips, etc. We also will not accept underwear(pants), socks, tights/hosiery, or earrings/piercings unless new in packaging. We do not accept children's items. Shoes and coats must be in great condition or better, and clean!
We do allow hats, scarves, belts, bracelets, necklaces, binders, corsets, bodysuits, and and bags.
If you have more than 10 items you may bring the excess as a donation. You will still be capped at 10 swapping tickets in order to help ensure everyone can find items.
There will be a few bathroom stalls available to change in but these will be in high demand. We will have mirrors! If you want to try things on without a changing room, make sure you're wearing something snug/tight so you can step in/slide it on.
❄️❄️❄️ HOW THE SWAP WORKS ❄️❄️❄️
Swap participants are welcome to bring up to 10 items of gently-used clothing and exchange them for new-to-you items that suit their current style. When you arrive you will exchange your swappable items for tokens. You can then browse items brought by others, and “check out” at the end by “cashing in” your tokens for those items.
1 item = 1 token to exchange 🔄
Once the items are traded for tokens they go straight onto the floor, so make sure you are 100% sure before you pass them over.
Then you can look at all the items brought by other people, take a break to check out the market or grab a bite, do another lap to see if anything else you like has been added, and “check-out” with your chosen items whenever you are finished. We encourage people to arrive earlier so they can get the most out of the event and see more items that come into the swap before they are snagged by someone else.
❄️❄️❄️ THE MINI-MARKET ❄️❄️❄️
This year we are hosting a small mini-market with local queer business owners and artists who create sustainably made goods. This is an excellent opportunity to grab a holiday gift, or to invest in an item for yourself. We will be announcing a list of vendors once they are confirmed.
❄️❄️❄️ ACCESSSIBILITY ❄️❄️❄️
Hackney Bridge is a step-free venue with accessible toilets. There is a large door into the event space that does not have a push-to-open button. If you're looking for parking, there is on-the-street parking available on Wallis Street on the other side of the river, and a lift that will take you up to the bridge to cross over to Hackney Bridge.