For Better or Purse

How does updating your wardrobe, eating yummy cupcakes and supporting a fabulous charity sound? If so, read on for our interview with Carla Clark the brains behind For Better or Purse, a charity and cupcake friendly swap event located in Melbourne

Tell us a bit about how For Better or Purse came about?

For Better Or Purse is a monthly event designed to help you make new friends, get some new clothes and contribute to making this world a better place. Inspired by the idea that swap meets can be more than junk and sneakers, Carla Clark decided to start a swap meet for fashionistas in Melbourne. Buying new clothes all the time is costly and bad for our environment, so why not facilitate swapping between strangers? Already a practice between best friends and sisters, all we needed was a little encouragement. Like marriage vows, the idea for this event is to come away with something you like better or to fatten the purse of our charity, the International Women’s Development Agency.

Can you tell us a bit about how the night runs?

For Better Or Purse runs every second month at All Of The Above in Fitzroy. There is a 5 step process, see below.

Step By Step

Step 1 - Check in your clothes and accessories you no longer wear (maximum of 8 pieces) at the check in desk from 7.00pm.

Step 2 – You will receive tokens for each item you check in based on our categories

Shoes and Accessories are awarded one point only.
Vintage clothing is awarded tokens on a case by case basis.

Step 3 -Enjoy complimentary champagne and cupcakes while catching up with friends, and making new friends!

Step 4 – The swapping will commence at approximately 7.30pm. Browse through the racks and find new items that you love!

Step 5 – Once you have selected your items, please proceed to the check out and using your tokens, purchase your new items.

How big will the swap event be?

We aim to have about 30/40 boys and girls at the event.

What has been your best swap-find?

Red vintage jacket with ruffles, very 80′s but super cool with tight tight jeans

Can you tell us a bit about The International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)

For Better Or Purse donates 50% of the funds raised to The International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA). IWDA is an Australian non-profit organisation that supports positive change for women and their communities. Our practical and rights-based projects directly address poverty and inequality in developing countries.

IWDA focuses primarily on Asia and the Pacific, and on five key areas of well-being:

• Economic empowerment
• Freedom from violence and conflict
• Participation in decision-making
• Sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Environmental sustainability

Projects supported by IWDA are devised and managed by women who live and work in the communities themselves, helping ensure ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

When women benefit, the whole community benefits.

Contact IWDA today: 1300 661 812
PO BOX 64 Flinders Lane Vic 8009
Visit the IWDA Website
ABN 19 242 959

IWDA is the only Australian non-profit organisation that focuses solely on promoting positive change for women and their communities in Asia and the Pacific. We fund community women’s projects that are designed and implemented by women who live and work in the local community, ensuring maximum relevance and sustainable outcomes. This model of development – working with women – has been well established as the most effective way to ensure change for current and future generations. As our mantra states, when women benefit, the whole community benefits.

Upcoming For Better or Purse Events

• June 19th 2008
• August 21st 2008
• October 16th 2008
• December 18th 2008

To register for an upcoming event just head to For Better Or Purse . Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 on the door (payable by Paypal).