Local Artist Builds Community Through Queer Clothing Swap in Pasadena

By AlexCordero

Julia Allegretti is an undergraduate studentat ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and hosted a queer clothing trade onMonday as a way to connect with the community by sharing journeys in a braveartistic form.

“When I came out as [transgender], I startedtransitioning my wardrobe to better express my gender identity. Building a newstyle from the ground up was expensive, and I was left with a full closet ofold clothes I didn’t know what to do with. I started trading them with myfriends, then wanted to try to bring it to a more community-oriented scale.”

Allegretti explained that the clothing tradeis part of a bigger exhibition titled “Euphoria.” The exhibit features a transgenderresource guide, mural and photo series.

Allegretti shared a quote from the artist: “‘Euphoria’ is a show that strengthens the queer, trans, and non-binary community of Los Angeles. By sharing intimate yet common experiences and desires, we strengthen our bonds and help struggling individuals feel less isolated, thus building social and personal connections. Providing community resources reinforces a larger collective network, alleviating roadblocks one may face when living as a trans person in Los Angeles County.”

Allegretti’s artistic presentation of the clothing swap also featured a mural, a wall full of local trans resources in the area and a photo series of Allegretti’s homage to feminist artist Ana Mendieta.

The photo series homage to Mendieta displayedAllegretti’s experience of applying a full-grown beard that was donated by aclose friend.

“I always wanted to grow and have my ownbeard,” Allegretti said. “I wanted to feel what it is like to have facial hair;thanks to a dear friend of mine I was able to do that and the experience wasincredible.”

Building a new wardrobe can be costly andsometimes people often end up with a lot of clothes they no longer feel itrepresents their gender. Allegretti discovered these types of challenges can beaddressed with trading clothes.

“Rebuilding my closet was really hard on mefinancially. I struggled to budget for all the basics, trying to account foreverything from boxers to jackets.

“Changing from women’s to men’s sizes wasconfusing for me. I spent a long time trying to decipher and translate sizingcharts I was unfamiliar with. Sometimes, I would feel uncomfortable shopping inthe men’s section because of stares or comments.”

Allegretti’s brings communities together bycreating a safe space to swap cloth with no judgment or boundaries and teachesothers how to do so.

“I am in the process of making a public guidefor hosting clothing trades. This free to use resource will includecustomizable promotion materials as well as instructions for organizing andhosting events. My hope is that by giving others the tools to host their ownclothing trades, we may give everyone a safe place to pursue a comfortablegender expression.”

Allegretti continued, “By doing a clothingswap and sharing part of my story I want people to know they’re not alone andby bringing us all together can make us stronger.”

Allegretti desires to create more safe spacesfor people to explore apparel that better represents their gender identity,implement the social aspect of it, save money and help the environment bytrading clothes in any community.

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