CLOSETtoCLOSET, a platform for exchanging used clothing
This time, we are talking about "used clothing."
Using used clothing is a circular economy choice.
It is a form of what is known as reuse.
Used clothing passes through multiple people, with a single item at its core.
To pass through multiple people, a medium or platform is required.
That is a place like a used clothing shop that collects and sells items.
This structure of moving back and forth between "people" and "used clothing shops" is a circular structure. Since money is exchanged just by selling without having to return clothes to a fiber state and manufacturing them again, it does not use underground resources at all, and no work is required in the manufacturing process (which also prevents CO2 emissions), so it is very advantageous both economically and environmentally.
The value brought by clothes, the value brought by used clothing
As for the value brought by clothes, the functional value is first to "protect against the cold" or "protect against ultraviolet rays," and furthermore, there is the function of covering one's naked state.
And apart from that, it brings the value of being able to express oneself through "fashion."
So, what is the value brought by used clothing?
The functional value that clothes have does not change. Whether new or used, the functional value provided is the same.
What changes is the value of being able to express oneself through "fashion." Furthermore, I think the essential value provided is increasing the options for self-expression.
In the past, what so-called fast fashion did was to put products on the market as quickly as possible at the lowest possible cost in order to increase the options for self-expression through fashion with new items. If you try to increase the options for self-expression under the premise of new items, that is the only way. Therefore, it leads to mass production and mass disposal.
So, what happens with used clothing? With used clothing, all the clothes created in the past become current options. There are clothes born a few months ago, and clothes born 10 years ago. Since it is not an option that captures only this moment like new items, but an option spanning over 10 years, the options for self-expression are incomparable.
Furthermore, due to "aging," even the exact same product becomes different depending on whether it was born a year ago or two years ago, and how each was used. In this way, even for the same product, the options expand on an individual basis.
Thinking about it this way, you can see the greatness of used clothing.
The service called CLOSETtoCLOSET
There is a service called CLOSETtoCLOSET, abbreviated as Kurokuro.
Its feature is a service where you can exchange 3 pieces of clothing you brought with 3 pieces of clothing placed at Kurokuro just by paying 3,000 yen as a usage fee.
The service site is here.
And here is an interview article with Sayuri Miwa, the creator of Kurokuro.
By the way, CLOSETtoCLOSET is commonly known as "Kurokuro."
A platform for connecting used clothing
CLOSETtoCLOSET is not just a used clothing store; it is a platform that connects people with clothes.
It does not follow the model of a typical second-hand shop where the store assesses the value of items, buys them, and resells them to people who perceive that value.
CLOSETtoCLOSET provides a space and a system for receiving clothes that are no longer needed and passing them on to the next person.
A store without price tags
People who come to CLOSETtoCLOSET can bring in three items of clothing they no longer need and take home three items they want.
You only pay a 3,000 yen participation fee to do this, so you never have to pay any more money. Therefore, the clothes lined up at CLOSETtoCLOSET have no price tags.
A price tag represents a transaction that occurs once there is an agreement on a value determined by someone else.
On the other hand, because there are no price tags at CLOSETtoCLOSET, the person taking the clothes home is the one who determines their value.
I believe this experience is the greatest strength and the best part of CLOSETtoCLOSET.
A new sensation where the decision to acquire something is not based on price
When we acquire something at a store, our final decision is basically determined by the price (Note: excluding cases where someone else buys it for you or if you are extremely wealthy).
No matter how much you like a piece of clothing, you ultimately look at the price and decide whether to acquire it based on whether it is a reasonable price and whether you can afford it.
CLOSETtoCLOSET is a place where that final decision is not based on price.
The criteria for judgment are whether you want it, whether you like it, and whether it resonates with your heart.
In other words, you can acquire items based on your own honest criteria of value.
What you can do because there are no price tags
One interesting thing you can do because there are no price tags is to challenge yourself to try new styles of clothing.
For example, suppose a piece of clothing you would normally never wear is lined up at CLOSETtoCLOSET. If this were a used item with a price tag, I don't think you would buy it (unless it was extremely cheap).
But without a price tag, you can make it a reality to 'try it on and see how it feels!'.
This is possible because the final decision is not based on price.
If you try something out and it doesn't quite work for you, you can just bring it back to Clo-Clo... that's the kind of vibe it has.
The absence of price tags means you can enjoy yourself freely without worrying about money.
Conclusion
This Clo-Clo event is a very unique model for a circular economy, so it's not something that can be applied everywhere, but in the sense of 'engaging with items based on your own values,' I think it is a very important service for the circular economy.
For items to circulate, you need to properly engage with them.
I always think that the Clo-Clo service is what allows you to experience that way of engaging with items.
If you are interested, please go and visit at least once.
CLOSETtoCLOSET