Category Archives: EDMONTON

Press Release:

Edmontonians who are looking for a guilt-free, cost effective, environmentally friendly way to revive their wardrobes need look no further. The Over the Top Fashion Swap runs Saturday, May 29 from 10am to 8pm at the Winspear Centre (4 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton). This one-of-a-kind event includes a clothing swap, a marketplace featuring local artisans, and access to spa services from a wide range of  health and wellness professionals.

This ultra-fabulous event appeals to people looking to spring-clean and de-clutter their closets while exchanging unneeded items for ones that they will actually wear — all without breaking the bank. It’s a fun way to spend a Saturday with family and friends. “Not just for women, there’s something for everyone at the Over the Top Fashion Swap,” say the event organizers Ally Ng and Cory Payne.

“Bring those items that just don’t quite work in your wardrobe anymore. Imagine that you’re giving them to a friend who you know will love them,” explains Payne. Attendees can swap six to 12 of their best, pre-loved women’s, men’s, kids’, and maternity garments and accessories. Says Ng. “We’ll have fashion assessors on staff who will discretely evaluate the quality and uniqueness of your items. You’ll get gold, silver, or bronze tokens to exchange for ‘new’ items in our two swaps from 12 to 3pm and 5 to 8pm.”

Explains Ng, “Edmonton is really fashion savvy. We have a lot of people in the city who want to transcend beyond basic mall-shopping to find that one-of-a-kind treasure that makes them fashionable and unique.”

The swap is only part of the fun. “We’re transforming all three levels of the Winspear, hence the ‘over the top’ moniker,” says Payne. “Swapping, shopping and going to the spa are all part of the experience,” adds Ng.  The Swap & Shop MarketplaceSwap Preview Fashion Show, professional glamour shots, and workshops for Tai-chi, Qi-Gong, wellness tips and more. features more than 70 of Edmonton’s creative designers and crafters, including handmade and fair trade items. Attendees can also indulge in one of many spa treatments, including makeovers, beauty treatments, massage, and other health and wellness offerings. There will even be a spontaneous

Payne concludes, “The event is about bringing the community together while combining many fun and exciting elements of fashion, clothing, creativity and well being. We want people to leave the event feeling better than when they came in, all while going easy on their pocketbook and the planet.”

Organizers have also arranged a charitable component to the event and are hoping to appeal to peoples’ philanthropic spirit. “Although we can accept only six to 12 items from each attendee, any clothes that don’t make it into the swap will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Bissell Centre. Since you’ll already be cleaning out your closets, why not bring some extra clothes with you to donate to the cause,” urges Ng. “Our goal is to collect 10,000 pounds of clothes which equates to about 100 bags of clothes for each charity. We think this is a wonderful way to support our community.”

Tickets for the Over the Top Fashion Swap are still available. All-access passes are $18 in advance or $20 at the door and include a complimentary spa service, hair and makeup touch ups, and access to the fashion swap, marketplace, and spa. For those who want to attend the event without partaking in the swap can purchase $5 tickets at the door for access to the marketplace and spa.

“Swappers” are being offered a $2 incentive to bring their clothing for early drop-off on Friday, May 28 between 3 and 9pm to the side entrance of the Winspear Centre. Clothing will also be accepted for swapping until 5pm on the day of the event. For more information, to purchase tickets (online or at participating retailers), and for a detailed list of “swappable” items, visit www.overthetopswap.com or call 780.913.2101.