First campus thrift store by students for students

Students thrifting at a previous campus closet event. Source: Yedda Nagamatsu '22

Marist College’s first student run thrift store is hosting a shopping event on Oct. 7 from 2-6pm in the dining hall tent behind Champagnat Hall.

Campus Closet was founded last year by Claudia Neddermann ‘21 as a capping project, an end of the year project that is a culmination of everything learned during the duration spent at Marist. Although these projects usually fade away after they’re complete, Neddermann wanted to pass it down and continue the legacy and impact. She partnered with the Ethical Fashion Initiative (E.F.I.) and had the club take on Campus Closet after her graduation.

“[The founder] wanted to implement Depop and Poshmark into the campus life, and so, they made it as students would also get some money back,” said Yedda Nagamatsu ‘22, President of E.F.I.

Students who sell their clothes receive a 40% commission and 20% of profits go towards a local or global charity that changes each semester. This semester it will go towards “Bottomless Closet”, an organization that seeks to empower women in New York City entering the workforce and help them achieve success.

“We’re just trying to decrease the carbon footprints in the world,” said Nagamatsu. This club stands for sustainability and addressing the environmental impacts the fashion industry has, making it a perfect fit.

Not only does Campus Closet seek to reduce the impact on climate change and fast fashion, but it also fosters a sense of community.

During the pandemic, when this project found its bones, students felt isolated from the Marist community, unable to get involved. Campus Closet allowed students to become active participants in the community in a safe way. Now, E.F.I. hopes to carry out their mission and continue to engage students with community while developing a sense of eco-consciousness.

“The people from the general members of the E.F.I. club help with the Marist Campus Closet so it’s super involved with the underclassmen,” said Nagamatsu. She wants to keep Campus Closet alive after her graduation this spring. Nagamatsu plans to teach the underclassmen everything they need to know to ensure that they can seamlessly inherit Campus Closet once she leaves.

Follow them on Instagram @maristcampuscloset for more updates.

Campus Closet logo. Source: Yedda Nagamatsu '22