Update: This additional swishing option is truly growing in popularity and a great outlet for those who love fashion!

As we have learned, women love buying fashion items, they also like hoarding them for those special occasions and end up never wearing them!

In addition they have value to you and you may feel uncomfortable to take them to a charity shop or to a normal swish yet, would like to be able to let somebody else enjoy them while you choose something of equal quality that you will wear.

Well, Val & Claire are happy to say that  they have found a way to offer a swish for women with such items by organising a Designer Swish within existing swishes in our 2011 calender. Some of the rules have been adjusted and will be added to this page, so keep revisiting.

Questions you may have;

What brands should I expect to see & bring to the Designer Swish?

This was and is the longest subject for us to discuss as you can appreciate fashion brands are across the spectrum and we each have our own idea for what we classify as a designer brand.

Bear in mind that we live in Norwich and don’t have immediate access to Chanel, Chloe or Dolce & Gabbana however, if we are fashion savvy we may have had the fortune of such purchases while shopping somewhere else in the country. We would suggest that you give us a call to discuss the items you would like to bring along.

We envisage brands such as Monsoon Occasionwear, Hobbs, LK Bennett, French Connection, Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Coast, Karen Millen to name a few but, there will be brands both familiar & new to us and you at the event.

Vintage is a new arena to us and is very much a unique open category – a treasure trove!

All items must be non-casual. They must be tailored, chic, timeless, special occasionwear pieces. We will accept smart casual items but, no hooded tops, t-shirts or scarves.

How much does it cost to attend the Designer/Vintage Swish?

£8.50. It will include entrance to both the regular & the designer/vintage swish (the opportunity to swap items of designer value, style and quality). In addition there will be 200 bonus points.

Is there a minimum/maximum number of items that I need to bring?

Minimum of 2, maximum of 10. Even those who have points remaining on their style card need to bring items as the event is limited to 35 women, we need to offer choice in the selection process. The items must be either unworn or well cared for. Items will be turned away if they do not meet the criteria. We encourage you to get in touch with us prior to the event to let us know what you intend to bring, sizes, description of item and maybe a picture.

Since day one we have requested items at all our swishes to be in good condition and freshly laundered. At a designer swish we and you should expect items to be in immaculate condition either never worn, worn once or well cared for. Vintage items still need to be in very well cared for condition.

If I don’t see anything I like what happens to my points?

All swishes held by The Style Revolution allow you to roll your points over to spend at any one of our events.

How do you grade the items?

Items will be graded and given a point value based on the item rather than brand or the usual wearability scoring.  You will then receive a style card (we have just received posh ones from the printers) stating your points which you can spend in the swish. As with all our events we rollover any leftover points to future events, at entry you sign your items over to The Style Revolution.

50 points: Small Bags

100 points: Tops, Skirts, Trousers

200 points: Jackets, Coats, Shoes, Medium-Large Bags & Dresses

300 points: Complete suits (these will be displayed as one outfit)

If I have points already in place, do I need to bring items?

Normally at our swishes we would say no. At the Designer/Vintage Swish we require you to bring at least two items along as the events are limited to 35 women and we would like to ensure variety and choice to select from.

When do I drop off my items?

Preferably from midday onwards if you have more than 10 items, otherwise between 6.00pm-7.45pm.

Items not accepted in the Designer/Vintage Swish?

Accessories such as scarves, belts or jewellery. (With Vintage we shall be more flexible). No casual items will be accepted such as T-shirts, Jumpers, Jeans etc,. Just to elaborate further we will not be accepting items from shops such as; Next, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Warehouse, Wallis, Oasis, Miss Selfridge, Primarche (formerly known as Primark), Supermarket brands, Gap, Zara, Mango, H&M, River Island etc, etc, etc,.