21 Items of Clothing on Hangars

Number of votes

9,034 (8,255 paper / 779 online)

1. The project in a nutshell

Build a clothing rack in a public space where people can drop off or pick up warm clothing during the winter.

2. The Project’s Objective

Promoting solidarity with people in precarious situations.

3. The Project in Detail

The winter season is a time of significant concern for people in precarious situations. To help this population, the project proposes a participatory clothing drive allowing people in need to access clothing donated free of charge by the residents of Lausanne. The idea is inspired by existing initiatives in various countries, such as Iran, India, and Sweden, with the slogan “Take a coat if you’re cold; leave a coat if you no longer need it.” Closer to home and more recently, solidarity initiatives have highlighted the precarious living conditions faced by people in the Lausanne area during the winter. The participatory clothing rack aims to shed light on this social issue; furthermore, the project provides a concrete act of mutual aid in a location accessible to everyone at all times. To bring this mutual aid initiative to life, the clothing rack—a minimalist structure made of recycled steel—is installed in a covered, high-traffic area (underpasses, walkways, metro stations, etc.). The modular structure can be easily integrated into different neighborhoods throughout the city. The project is therefore itinerant, moving from one location to another, from one winter to the next. It requires only shelter and a little space.

4. The amount requested to carry out the project

5,500 CHF

• Communication costs: 500 CHF

• Construction of the closet by a specialist artist: 5,000 CHF