South Surrey salon creates stylish way to give back for Earth Month
Published 2:00 pm Sunday, May 3, 2026
A South Surrey based salon is proving that giving your closet a refresh can also help protect the planet.
JP Mode Salon hosted its first-ever fashion swap on April 19 in honour of Earth Month, raising funds for ocean restoration while giving the community access to more affordable clothing.
This fashion swap event idea began with owner and stylish Diana Kilthau who shared that it all came from conversations taking place directly in her salon chair.
“I was looking for something that I could do for Earth Month and through these conversations I went, ‘why don’t we do a fashion swap within our own community,” she tells Peace Arch News.
Kilthau, who has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and is also a Davines education, said many clients and staff had been opening up about the rising costs of living and other expenses.
“People were saying how expensive life is right now and they need new clothes and everything is just so expensive,” she said.
Kilthau mentioned that many individuals are in the midst of spring cleaning which made the idea of a community-driven clothing swap a natural fit.
The event united people to bring in gently used clothing, which was then sold at accessible prices, with all proceeds going towards Seatrees, an organization focused on restoring ocean ecosystems through initiatives like coral reef planting and kelp forest regeneration.
“For me, the ocean holds a near and dear little place to my heart,” Kilthau explained. “We live by the ocean and my family and I go sailing every summer. The ocean’s health and well-being is important to me.”
Seatrees operates different restoration projects around the world, including along the California coast and in Hawaii, where restoration efforts are ongoing following the Maui wildfires.
“I’ve been to Mexico and gone snorkeling and you can see that the coral reef is dying and getting bleached out,” she said. “The fact they’re trying to make a difference and do something — it’s pretty cool.”
Despite a slight scheduling conflict with a few major events – including the opening of the White Rock Farmers Market and the Vancouver Sun Run – Kilthau said turnout was very strong for a first-time event.
Early estimates suggest the fundraiser has already brought in around $1,500, with donations continuing as unsold items from the event remain available for purchase inside the salon.
“We gave the community an opportunity to get some beautiful clothes at a really great price and give back to a charity,” Kilthau said.
She also shared that any items that are not sold will be donated to the Peace Arch Hospice Society, extending the event’s impact even further within the local community.
“I think it’s important to take care of the people in our community and the planet within our community,” Kilthau added. “Essentially, we need to take care of our backyard, because the ocean is part of that and a huge part of the ecosystem.”
Kiltau notes that this year’s event was just the beginning, with plans already in motion to bring the fashion swap back next April for Earth Month.