What: Global Fashion Exchange to host a swapping exchange at Walker Hotel in TriBeCa

Why is it important: the event encourages swapping as a sustainable consumption behavior by incorporating new tech and a trendy venue

Global Fashion Exchange (GFX) is partnering with Walker Hotel in its newly opened TriBeCa location for its “SwapAteria” experience running April 22 to 30.

The experience is open to guests as well as the public to encourage swapping as a sustainable consumption behavior, a practice that is typically declassed to informal methods.

In each room known as a “swap closet,” there will be curated vintage collections and second-hand items from brands such as Gypsy Sport, Maison Murasaki, The Canvas, Now for Tomorrow, Carmen Gama, and Carolina Bedoya: Make Aneew, among others. But just because items have already had a first or even second life, does not mean that the value of the goods will be at risk. Many retailers know the value of the products they possess and hope to get their money’s worth in the exchange.

The activation is powered by a real-time tracking system called the SwapChain, a blockchain-enabled data source in collaboration between tech platform Lablaco and GFX that shows the history of each garment featured in the closets. SwapChain has allowed swapping to become more concrete and opened it up to be the potential next step after retail.

First “Swappable Department Store” coming to New York City