• It can take more than 2,700 litres of water to produces a cotton t-shirt and approximately 7,000 litres to produces a pair of jeans.

• In 2014, the worldwide consumption of textiles reached approximately 73 MILLION tonnes, and is expected to grow nearly 4% a year through to 2025 but a mere 20% of these textiles a recycled each year.

• For approximately every tonne of discarded textiles (materials), around 20 tonnes of C02 enters the atmosphere.

Eileen Fisher has said that the fashion industry is one of the world’s largest polluters, second only to oil, and it is not difficult, looking at the facts above, to believe this.

In the last two decades, the way we shop has changed. As a result of what is termed ‘fast fashion, prices have dropped dramatically, and clothes are seen as disposable, worn once, maybe twice, and never seen again. Around the world, waste, in the form of textiles, is rapidly increasing. If we don’t change the way we shop, soon, the facts above will only look much worse, as will global warming.  

Some people have tried to adopt a minimalist approach or the #30wears campaign that asks us to only buy things we will wear at least 30 times, but for those who cringe at the thought of repeating outfits, this can be extremely difficult, maybe for the shopaholics out there, a nightmare.

What if I told you, you could have your cake and eat it too? This is where Nu comes in. It offers the same continually changing wardrobe that ‘Fast-fashion’ does, but without the environmental impacts; an easy way to be part of the change we need to see in the world.

Nu is pioneering an online platform which enables TCD to share and swap clothes with friends and other TCD students. In the future, this will be expanded so that everyone, everywhere can use it. This means you no longer need to buy clothes in order to update your wardrobe and so, help save, not only the environment but a pretty penny too.  How many times have you seen somebody wearing a fabulous outfit and wished you could have it too? Maybe only for a day, or a night? Now you can!  All you have to do is sign up to Nu and let us connect you with students around you. To contribute and help grow the wardrobe simply upload your outfit and tag items by size and style.

As a community, we will extend the lifecycle of clothes, even beyond the #30wears recommended, and significantly reduce waste, AND look fabulous while doing it. All you need to do is look at our wardrobe for to see the truth to my statement:

This fabulous beaded fringe dress is cool and classy, and it’s surprisingly comfortable (I’ve worn it). It’s perfect for a Prohibition-themed event (Rum runner's- Hint, hint!)

The black plunge neck jumpsuit is F A B U L O U S. Flattering, classy and best of all, your legs are warm all night, particularly suitable for Trinity Ball.

Model: Hazal Aysen Altın, Photo credit: Stephen McPadden

The Grey Net skirt styled with a dainty crop top is somewhat alt and yet, elegant. Dress it up with a pair of heels, or down, with Chelsea boots.

This sparkly dress, uploaded by a student (woop, people are sharing) is again, perfect for a Prohibition themed event or a night out. You’ll dazzle everyone.

Another lovely dress uploaded by a student, this Lipsy dress is gorgeous and elegant. With lovely lace detail and a flattering shape, this would look gorgeous with a pair of dainty heels.