The Future in Fashion Association (“FFA”) is an organization at UVA that unites students with a penchant for all things related to fashion. Whether individuals are interested in a career in the fashion industry or seeking an outlet to express themselves, FFA provides a welcoming space for members to explore these passions. The club hosts a combination of social, educational, and promotional events, making learning about fashion accessible and fun for its members and creating an environment of creativity and inclusivity.
A notable highlight of FFA is its commitment to bringing in insight from the industry itself, hosting speakers from well-known brands to share their expertise. Previous speakers that have come to Grounds on behalf of FFA have included the CEOs of Kate Spade Alton Lane. For those looking to pursue a fashion career, there have been various events regarding job opportunities that help with fine-tuning resumes and finding internships. The club also hosts plenty of social events, including wine nights, where members can showcase each of their personal styles in a relaxed atmosphere. FFA has also organized mixers with other organizations, allowing networking opportunities to meet others with similar interests and hobbies.
In addition to its career-oriented and social events, FFA also gives back to the Charlottesville community by means of clothing drives and its biannual pop-up thrift store on the Lawn. Open to the entire UVA community, every student is invited to fill out a form to donate old pieces of clothing. Once the items are approved for sale, the clothes are then sold in the thrift store for other students to purchase, promoting sustainability on Grounds. Nearly 92 million tons of textile waste is produced every year—a staggering statistic that demonstrates the need for action to reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfills. Through this project, FFA encourages students to declutter their wardrobes by creating this alternative to simply discarding clothes and contributing to the growing waste.
This fall, FFA hosted its thrift shop on November 8th. Announcements were sent out on both Instagram and by email several weeks prior, asking students and members to begin looking for items to sell. The thrift shop’s accommodating time range provided convenience for students to fit a visit into their Friday schedule. There was upbeat music playing, contributing to the overall excited and lively atmosphere. Several racks were set up and organized by clothing category: sweaters and tops on one side, shorts and pants in the middle, and dresses on the other. To make the pop-up even more engaging, there was a table set up that was selling customizable charm jewelry; students could take a break from shopping by picking from a fun selection of charms to decorate a bracelet or necklace, which gave them the chance to take back a personalized piece in addition to the clothes.
The way that shopping worked at the thrift store was simple and straightforward. Upon entering, students could leisurely browse through the racks and pick out the items that caught their eye. By checking the tag, shoppers could find the seller’s Venmo. Then, at the front, all they needed to do was show proof of payment, and the item was theirs to keep. There were popular brands such as Princess Polly, Levi’s, and Free People, attracting eager shoppers with the affordable prices. The process was easy-to-follow, and many students including myself happily walked out with a new addition or two to their closet.
The pop-up thrift store not only presented an affordable and accessible shopping experience but also aided in sustainability efforts, as any contribution helps to combat the growing issue of textile waste. Any of the pieces leftover by the store’s end were donated to local charities, ensuring that even the unsold items went to new homes. By contributing to the Charlottesville community and supporting the reuse of gently-loved clothing, FFA merges environmentally-friendly practices with the excitement of shopping.
Ffa -UVA fashion colab?