Even though this blog is all about fashion, I have to admit that I have another materialistic interest: books. I really enjoy reading a little while I am in public transport, while eating breakfast or while filling in those little bits of time in between classes. A book is then also something you will most likely always find in my bag. You might wonder, why I am promoting a not so environment-friendly product. No worries, And yes, I am well aware that (paper) books are also not the most environment-friendly, that is why I love going to the library. 

The concept of a library to me is great. I pay a little monthly fee - which is most likely less than I would have paid would I have bought all the books individually. Yet, I get access to a broader range of books than I could probably ever collect myself. I can stroll through the endless rows of books, and take any books with, without having any commitment - if after reading the first few chapters I dislike it, I can just bring it back without any (monetary) consequences. This allows me to pick up books I might have otherwise never picked up and explore genres I otherwise would have never explored. Amazing. 

Now, while I was thinking about this concept, I thought how useful it would be if there was a fashion library. Just exactly the same principle, but then for clothes and accessories. And guess what, I was not the first one who got this genius idea. Even better, the concept has already been executed in my own country; the Netherlands. Amsterdam houses one of the first fashion libraries in the world. 

Angela, Diana, Elisa and Suzanne, four entrepreneurial ladies with a passion for fashion and for sustainability created LENA the Fashion Library, a fashion library for women. Their motto? Fashion has to be fun, for everyone involved. In other words, nice clothes, without harming other humans and the environment. Being able to enjoy new clothes every month, but not having to take part in consumerism and own closets full of clothes. 

Members of LENA have access to a wide range of the most beautiful vintage pieces, pieces of rising designers, sustainable labels and also; clothes brought in by people like you and me. For a set monthly fee (starting from €19.95 per month) you can change your clothes whenever you want. The only fashion you will not be able to find is fast fashion, as LENA does not support the industry and because the quality is often low. What this infinite wardrobe might look like? The video below might give a little indication. 

Personally, I think this is a great concept, which should inspire the fashion industry to be more sustainable. The succes of the fashion library shows how consumers are ready for sustainable innovation in the fashion industry. However, the fashion industry might not be willing to change the consumer culture into a sharing culture. So far, I only found a similar initiative in Belgium; Les rebelles d'anvers - a fashion library located in Antwerp. Nevertheless, this concept should spread internationally. Hence, there is much work to do!  

If you are by any chance in the Netherlands on the 19th of November and if you are curious to know more about LENA the Fashion Library, then I would highly recommend to check out the Meta Fashion Summit. The Meta Fashion Summit is a full day seminar focussing on topics like sustainability, innovation and fashion. Suzanne Smulders, one of the co-founders of LENA the Fashion Library will also present. She will explain the concept of the clothing library and how she and the other co-founders solved the challenges they faced while introducing this innovative concept. 

Unfortunately, I will not be in the Netherlands to witness this great event. However, when I am back, visiting LENA the Fashion Library will be one of the first things on my to-do list.