That’s Not My Age
the grown-up guide to great style — edited by Alyson Walsh
Style for Change: second-hand clothes and models of all ages on the Oxfam catwalk
September 16th 2024 — by Alyson Walsh
Deborah Meaden walks in the Oxfam/ Vinted Style for Change catwalk show. ©Chris Yates/ Oxfam
It is halfway through the month and I haven’t even mentioned Second-Hand September. How very remiss… But, good news from London Fashion Week where the Oxfam Style for Change catwalk show really did highlight a shift in attitudes. In collaboration with Vinted, Oxfam put on a fabulous event, with the help of super-talented stylist, editor and serial thrifter, Bay Garnett. And, a star-studded selection of environmentally-conscious catwalk models.
Katharine Hamnett walks in the Oxfam/ Vinted Style for Change catwalk show. ©Chris Yates/ Oxfam
After the show, Dragon’s Den judge, entrepreneur and self-proclaimed ‘planet hugger’ Deborah Meaden, 65, said, ‘Sometimes you just have to do stuff that is way out of your lane and certainly way out of your comfort zone… Famous faces strutted the Oxfam catwalk in second-hand clothes, I didn’t strut so much as teeter (!) but it was all in a good cause. We know that the fashion industry is having a huge impact on our planet, which is exactly why we need to be talking about sustainable clothes. Having a fashion show like this proves that second-hand clothing is not only stylish and great value-for-money, but it helps the planet – we definitely proved the power of pre-loved clothing tonight.’
Penelope Tree walking at Oxfam’s Style for Change fashion show in partnership with Vinted. London Fashion Week.
The prevalence on the catwalk of models of all ages and abilities is another welcome change. Katharine Hamnett has long been a champion of slow fashion and, as always, the 77-year-old designer wore her heart on her slogan T-shirt. One of the 1960’s most famous faces, model Penelope Tree (74) made a special appearance, along with friend of That’s Not My Age, Mouchette Bell (68); broadcaster and disability advocate Claire Sisk (44) who gradually lost her sight after a stroke in 2009 (more on Claire HERE) and TV and radio presenter Angellica Bell (48).
Angellica Bell walks in the Oxfam/ Vinted Style for Change catwalk show. ©Chris Yates/ Oxfam
Broadcaster and disability advocate Claire Sisk walks in the Oxfam/ Vinted Style for Change catwalk show. ©Chris Yates/ Oxfam
Oxfam launched the Second-Hand September campaign in 2019, to encourage consumers to change to pre-loved style and strive for a more sustainable fashion industry. As Marianne Gybels, Vinted’s Senior Director of Sustainability said, ‘ This show did a fantastic job of highlighting the creativity, beauty and potential of second-hand fashion.’
On the 40th anniversary of London Fashion Week, circular style is making great strides. The latest research from Oxfam reveals that ‘two thirds of people – 65 per cent – in the UK own second-hand clothing, while one in 10 say the majority of the clothes they buy in the next 12 months will be second-hand.’
What a joy to see women of all ages wearing vintage.
Loose Women’s Frankie Bridge walks in the Oxfam/ Vinted Style for Change catwalk show. ©Chris Yates/ Oxfam
The show called for people to ‘Dress for the world they want, for everyone, everywhere.’
Every outfit from the catwalk show is available to buy from Oxfam’s online shop in partnership with Vinted, HERE. All the money raised from the sale of the clothes will support Oxfam’s work tackling poverty and inequality around the world. And there is more information on Second-Hand September HERE.
