Inside Groningen’s “Unsustainable” Sustainable Fashion Event

Kleer'n Zooi XXL, a large-scale fashion event organized by Groener Groningen, is happening right now in the heart of Groningen. The grand finale has been announced for October 5 and will take place in the Forum and the Martini Church, offering various goods and activities. For three weeks now, various fashion-related events have been happening throughout the city to make sustainability more accessible and enjoyable for people. 

Groener Groningen is an organization that offers practical and fun ways to achieve sustainability without actively using the green label that might seem pushing to some people. “If you look on our website, you'll see we don't use green, except in our name, but no colors,” says Ferrick van Dongen, the head of the foundation. “We try to stay away from that word, sustainable, as much as possible.”

We believe people can make choices that fit better with today's society — different choices, not necessarily better ones

Why Kleer'n Zooi XXL Matters

Fashion contributes 10% of the world's carbon emissions and 20% of wastewater produced annually, making it one of the most polluting businesses in the world. Particularly fast fashion plays a significant role, producing an estimated 92 million tons of textile waste annually, as statistics from Uniform Market show. Kleer'n Zooi XXL and other events encourage people to reconsider their shopping habits and prioritize quality over quantity to offset these trends.

Kleer'n Zooi XXL brings together local designers, supporters of sustainability, and members of the public to discuss the concept of "fair fashion", which stands for clothing that is produced under sustainable conditions. In addition to having the chance to purchase, return, and exchange clothing, the grand finale on October 5 will include workshops and fashion shows to encourage more thoughtful wardrobe selections. “We believe people can make choices that fit better with today's society — different choices, not necessarily better ones," van Dongen says. In 2023, over 2,100 people attended the event and Groener Groningen hopes to increase the numbers this year. 

Working Together with the Community 

One of the organization's partners during these three weeks is Cindy’s Give-Away Shop (Cindy’s Weggeefwinkel Oosterparkwijk) located just outside the city center of Groningen. This store works without the checkout system - people can give away things they no longer need and people in need can take the items.

The concept works well because the store is located in an area where both wealthy and needy people live and visitors are no strangers to Cindy Siegers and her co-workers.

The Glass Room spoke to Lub Snijder, who helped to open the store. “You'll be amazed at how different groups – givers and receivers – blend together in such a warm, informal way,” Snijder says. “It's not just about the items; it's about the connections we build.” This sense of community empowerment is an essential value of Kleer'n Zooi XXL’s broader objectives.