Pleasurably pre-loved.

In my last blog post, I explored the notion of eco-fashion and highlighted the importance of a 'green' fashion industry within a world dominated by cheap, imported and environmentally unfriendly fashion. For those of you thinking, 'I want to buy eco-fashion but cannot always afford to', there is another way to tick that 'conscious consumer' box. 

Vintage fashion - it's been the rage for as long as I can remember because, let's face it, it never goes out of style.  In contrast to the cheap, mass-produced clothing of today, vintage clothing is usually better quality, as the production techniques and fabric were made to last. Buying pre-loved fashion is also special because it is effectively a form of recycling. Buying vintage and second-hand designer clothing helps to keep garments from ending up in landfill. 

Material Pleasures, a local Canberra business established by Rebekah Griffiths in 1987, prides itself on this very idea. Rebekah's business is arguably the biggest and longest standing second-hand and vintage retailer in Canberra. I had the pleasure of having lunch with Rebekah recently and hearing about her story. She first started selling at markets when she was 17 years old. Until this very day, she clearly remembers her takings from her first market gig - $68.00. This drove her to continue collecting, selling, setting goals and growing her business. Rebeakah has since travelled the world collecting unique fashion pieces and has become a renowned name within Canberra's fashion community.

I have been buying clothing from Material Pleasures since I earned my first paycheck - first at their market stalls and now at their showroom in Fyshwick (often on my lunchbreak). One of the things that really strikes me about Material Pleasures is their commitment to customer service. I don't think I have ever walked into their store without being greeted with a smile, offered to take a load of clothing off my hands and into a change room, and just generally made to feel welcome. I have also been privy to the action that goes on behind the scenes in the Material Pleasures' workroom. This room is often alive with dedicated staff ironing, repairing, sorting and cataloguing the piles of clothing that come in each week (but that doesn't stick around for long). It is so refreshing to see a group of staff so passionate about recylcing fashion and so willing to share this passion with their customers. 

You will find Material Pleasures at Hustle&Scout on 21 September with select pieces from their new Spring Collection. Material Pleasures are always taking on hew stock, so if you have some good quality threads that you would like to see go to a good home (and not to landfill), pop into their showroom!

http://www.materialpleasures.com.au/