An Australian op shop has started a new celebrity trend no one saw coming at this year’s Australian Fashion Week.
The prestigious event allows brands and designers to showcase their upcoming new collections – but one well-known brand, Vinnies, has used it as an opportunity to educate Australians on a growing issue.
Data shows the average Aussie purchases 27kg of new clothing and textiles every year, and discards 23kg into landfill, according to a government-backed report from The Australian Fashion Council.
This contributes to the 6000kg of clothing and textile waste being discarded every 10 minutes into landfill, putting Australia as the second largest consumer of textiles per person in the world, outside of the US.
It’s these alarming figures that inspired Vinnies to partner with celebrity stylist Paul Versace to create a series of preloved outfits no one would ever know weren’t high fashion.
“In today’s climate, showcasing op-shop finds is more important than ever,” he told news.com.au.
“It’s not just about reducing waste and combating the environmental impact of fast fashion, but also about celebrating the incredible pieces you can discover in these stores.”
Before Australian Fashion Week kicked off, Mr Versace – who is best known as “styledbybloom” online – trawled multiple Vinnies stores looking for pieces his celebrity clients would love.
Model Tegan Martin attended the “spectacular” Acler show in a thrifted jacket, which was worn as a dress, that Mr Versace had sourced at Vinnies.
The former Miss Universe Australia left followers in shock after revealing the outfit was second hand, with commenters declaring they had “no idea”. Some added it had inspired them to go op-shopping.
Real Housewives of Sydney star, Sally Obermeder, also got on board with the Vinnies initiative, wearing a black leather longline blazer, which Mr Versace had bought for $80 from the op shop.
The TV star, who also runs the popular wellness brand SWIISH with her sister, paired it with thigh-high boots and a sleek ponytail hairdo.
“Cannot believe you got that at Vinnies,” one wrote on her Instagram.
“Stop it, there’s no way you got that at an op shop,” someone else mused.
As others simply praised the “hot” ensemble, labelling it “fire” and “unreal”.
Melbourne model Stacey Fleming also opted for an op shop outfit, wearing an oversized camouflage coat, which Mr Versace also bought for $80.
“There are some great op shop buys out there, and I hope these photos show you don’t have to buy new for every occasion,” he shared.
“I recommend focusing on timeless pieces that can seamlessly fit into your wardrobe. Always check for quality fabrics and good construction, as these are signs of durability.
“And don’t be afraid to get creative with alterations and styling to make each piece reflect your personal style.”
Shani Grimmond, who has 1.3 million followers on Instagram, caused jaws to drop with her thrifted outfit.
Mr Versace dressed the popular influencer in a longline blazer, which she went braless in, giving the social media star a sexy finish.
The stylist, who recently launched his own collection with Bianca & Bridgett, also called on influencers and celebrities who have attended this year’s event to donate anything they won’t wear again.
“Don’t forget to drop off your preloved treasures post Fashion Week so that other fashion lovers can re-use your looks,” he concluded.
Vinnies said it was proud to be “leading the charge towards a Circular Economy”, a term which describes extending the life of products through reuse, by diverting items from landfill.
“With op-shopping you get the thrill of finding a unique item and our Vinnies Shops offer a treasure trove of all kinds,” Vinnies NSW director of retail and logistics Virginia Boyd said. “We wanted to showcase how you can give a piece of clothing a second life by shopping for sustainable looks and creating a unique style while raising vital funds for those in need.”