Accessory swap makes fashion affordable

The bags and scarves are as beautiful now as they were three years ago when you shoved them in the back of the closet to make room for newer items. Now, Keren Charles of Alpharetta is asking you to bring the accessories — bracelets, necklaces, purses, belts and all of the other extras — to an accessory swap.

“We want you to bring things you’d be proud to give to your best friend,” Charles said. “Not your old, leftover rags.”

The AccessorySwap is a bi-monthly spin-off of the more robust FashionSwaps. Hosted Thursday, June 3, at the J.Mont Makeup and Skin Care Studio, AccessorySwap is an easy, entertaining — and free — way to enhance outfits.

Here’s how it works: Each attendee is asked to bring a minimum of three gently used, fashionable items. Once every one is in place, each person gets a chance to go to the accessory setup to pick out a select number of items of their choosing. The process continues until every item has been claimed. There is no fee. Additionally, each customer will get makeup and styling tips.

“I learned from my mom, a single mother, that you don’t need a lot of money to look good,” said Charles, a personal stylist when not working her daytime profession as a training and development specialist. “For my clients, I can work with any budget.”

While the AccessorySwaps are more regular, for 18 months Charles also has hosted seasonal FashionSwaps for which there is a $10 fee. Vendors and retailers have products available for purchase. Additionally, there is a large selection of mall and name-brand items that are exchanged.

Customers are given a number upon arrival to determine the order in which they’ll approach the tables and racks to select clothing. The fashion events typically attract 25-to-35-year-old professional women, Charles said. There is an hour of networking and socializing followed by the non-traditional shopping format.

What: AccessorySwap

When: Thursday, June 3, 7 p.m.

Where: J. Mont Makeup and Skin Care Studio, 5180 Roswell Rd., South Building, Suite 04, Atlanta

Web site: www.fashiontoenvy.com

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