Hanks High School launches student-run clothing swap boutique

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Hanks High School students now have a place to exchange gently used clothing, build fashion-related skills and access outfits that can help them feel confident.

The school’s Fashion Design program partnered with The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso to launch the Forever Swap Boutique, a student-focused secondhand clothing resource on campus.

The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso provided fixtures and support to help create the boutique, where students can donate gently used clothing and select other items in return.

Organizers said the goal is to help ensure students have access to clothing they need while offering an affordable option for families.

The boutique will also serve as a hands-on learning space for Hanks High School fashion design students. Students will help collect, wash, hang, organize, and merchandise clothing, as well as assist with managing the retail-style operation.

Hanks’ Special Education department is also taking part in the initiative, providing students opportunities to practice life and job skills such as organization, responsibility, customer service and merchandising.

This was a partnership that made perfect sense for us,” Carlos Rodriguez, general manager of The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso, said in a statement. “Giving back to the community is incredibly important to us, and when we saw an opportunity to combine our connection to fashion with something that could directly benefit students, we wanted to be part of it.

The effort also promotes sustainable shopping by giving wearable clothes a second life instead of allowing them to sit unused in closets.

The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso said it is exploring a monthly incentive that could select a participating Hanks student to receive a $25 gift card for the shopping center, allowing students an occasional opportunity to purchase a new clothing item.

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