Australian Fashion Week 2025 is turning heads and timelines with a catwalk comeback of pre-loved treasures, proving that (almost) everything old is new again. In a bold (and beautifully sustainable) move, designers are dipping into the archives and reworking fashion’s greatest hits, thanks to a glammed-up partnership between eBay Australia and Vogue Australia. Now in its fourth year as a proud sponsor, eBay is hitting the runway – and the eBay Pre-loved Lounge – with serious eco-style cred, bringing archival looks from iconic Australian designers like Aje, Carla Zampatti, Bianca Spender, Lee Mathews, Nagnata and Romance Was Born straight to the spotlight.
But, this is anything but not your grandma’s crusty closet. Styled by celebrity stylist and long-time pre-loved fashion advocate Jess Pecoraro, this is vintage with a vision. As Jess puts it, “We’re at a turning point in the fashion industry, so it’s incredible to see the trend of archival fashion take centre stage at Australian Fashion Week. As a stylist, I love working with pieces that have history and character, proving that great fashion is meant to be reimagined and repurposed. eBay has made it easy to buy and sell pre-loved, which empowers consumers to be more mindful of their wardrobe choices.”
It seems shoppers are catching on. According to eBay’s 2024 global Recommerce Report, Australians are fully embracing secondhand style, with 77% of customers saying buying pre-loved has become more common in recent years. Why the shift? For 62%, it’s a savvy money move. For 49%, it’s about tracking down those hard-to-find items you just can’t get new anymore (hello, sold-out cult classics!).
Globally, listings featuring the word “thrifted” saw sales soar by over 400% in March 2024 compared to the same time last year. Clearly, ‘once-loved’ is now ‘must-have.’
eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead, Anne-Marie Cheney, says it best: “The recommerce market is thriving. On eBay globally, listings featuring the word ‘thrifted’ in their descriptions saw sales soar by over 400% in March 2024 vs March 2023, with clothing ranking as the top pre-loved purchase for almost half of consumers.”
Australians are also showing their loyalty to local fashion legends. “Australians are proving their love for fashion, with Australian brands like Aje, Country Road, and Zimmermann searched for every 20 seconds on eBay. At eBay Australia, we’ve long championed the power of pre-loved items, making it easier than ever for Aussies to buy and sell unique, storied pieces that deserve a second life,” Anne-Marie adds.
But, it’s not just mass appeal. Luxury is in on it too. A John Galliano for Christian Dior leather shearling coat recently sold for just under $12,750, marking the most expensive Galliano item ever sold on eBay Australia. Whitney Houston’s 1991 beaded Bob Mackie evening gown, worn to the Billboard Awards, also made headlines when it sold for just over $8,050—the most expensive Bob Mackie item ever sold on the platform.
And, then there are the cult collaborations: Gucci x The North Face monogram puffer jacket ($9,000 AUD), Dior x Air Jordan 1 Retro High sneakers (over $12,800 AUD), and the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama watch case trunk (over $18,500 AUD) all broke records as the most expensive pieces ever sold from their brands on eBay Australia. If that’s not fashion history in your cart, we don’t know what is.
Designer brands from Down Under are particularly in demand. Aje, Oroton, Scanlan Theodore and Zimmermann top the list of most searched Australian luxury pre-loved fashion brands. And when it comes to women’s dresses, the names Aussies are typing into the search bar include Aje, Alemais, Gorman, Scanlan Theodore, and Zimmermann.
Co-Founder and CEO of Aje, Adrian Norris, is all for the archive spotlight. “Aje is excited to be featured in eBay’s Pre-Loved Runway Show at Australian Fashion Week to showcase the versatility of timeless pieces. The rise of archival fashion on the catwalk is a powerful reminder of the importance of longevity, authenticity, and conscious consumption in today’s industry. Platforms like eBay are key to driving circularity in fashion, empowering shoppers to curate wardrobes that are sustainably stylish.”
If you’re in Sydney this week, don’t miss the eBay Pre-loved Lounge – an interactive space designed to showcase the potential of archival fashion and the future of Australian fashion, open from May 13–16, where you can browse rare finds from Australian designers and international icons, and connect with like-minded lovers of storied style. Not in town? Not a Problem. eBay is celebrating the movement with a limited-time 15% discount on pre-loved fashion for online shoppers (T&Cs apply).
Because what’s better than fashion with a past? Fashion with a future.
To shop the brands you love and learn more about the eBay Pre-loved Lounge visit: https://www.ebay.com.au/d/fashion