South Surrey salon creates stylish way to give back for Earth Month<\/p>\n
Published 2:00 pm Sunday, May 3, 2026<\/p>\n
A South Surrey based salon is proving that giving your closet a refresh can also help protect the planet.<\/p>\n
JP Mode Salon<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI was looking for something that I could do for Earth Month and through these conversations I went, \u2018why don\u2019t we do a fashion swap within our own community,\u201d she tells Peace Arch News.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople were saying how expensive life is right now and they need new clothes and everything is just so expensive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The event united people to bring in gently used clothing, which was then sold at accessible prices, with all proceeds going towards Seatrees<\/a>, an organization focused on restoring ocean ecosystems through initiatives like coral reef planting and kelp forest regeneration.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, the ocean holds a near and dear little place to my heart,\u201d Kilthau explained. \u201cWe live by the ocean and my family and I go sailing every summer. The ocean\u2019s health and well-being is important to me.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been to Mexico and gone snorkeling and you can see that the coral reef is dying and getting bleached out,\u201d she said. \u201cThe fact they\u2019re trying to make a difference and do something \u2014 it\u2019s pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a slight scheduling conflict with a few major events \u2013 including the opening of the White Rock Farmers Market<\/a> and the Vancouver Sun Run \u2013 Kilthau said turnout was very strong for a first-time event.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe gave the community an opportunity to get some beautiful clothes at a really great price and give back to a charity,\u201d Kilthau said.<\/p>\n