The purchase and sale of clothing second hand It is no longer an action limited to the online environment, but is increasingly possible through multiple channels. And it is that the reused, or “pre-loved” fashionis inhabiting spaces usually occupied by traditional fashion, such as physical stores, catwalks or premises in duty free areas; and thus reaching more and more users with an alternative consumption model.

Second-hand luxury in airports and cruises

Proof of this is the movement of the German retail and distribution firm Gebr. Heinemann, who recently opened a second-hand fashion store in the Copenhagen airport. In this way, it has expanded the scope of its “Pre-Loved Luxury” concept with a 20 square meter store where travelers will find an exclusive selection of certified second-hand items from collections of luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Hermès or Chanel.

The company points out that second-hand products represent around 5% of total sales in the Fashion, Accessories, Watches and Jewelry (FAWJ) sector and turnover is expected to reach $350 billion in 2028. Among the Reasons for the interest in reused products include attention to sustainable consumption, increasing price sensitivity and the desire for greater individuality.

“Due to their high quality, luxury products are characterized by a long life cycle and are therefore particularly interesting for the second-hand market.”; commented Jan Richter, Purchasing Director at FAWJ in Gebr. Heinemann, in a statement. “While our goal as a retailer is of course to generate sales, we also consider it our responsibility to act sustainably.”.

The new store in Copenhagen, whose performance will be tested for a year, is Gebr’s first second-hand store. Heinemann at an airport. However, the company has already introduced the concept on board several cruises, such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

eBay Secondhand Fashion Week

While it is true that second-hand fashion has already paraded on the catwalks, these have been specific initiatives. eBay wanted to go one step further and has launched the Secondhand Fashion Week in New York and London, in collaboration, respectively, with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the British Fashion Council.

Thus, it has organized parades, called “Endless Runway”, that have preceded the official programs of the Fashion Weeks of both cities. In them he has presented second-hand items from designers such as Khaite, Off-White, Christopher Kane and Simone Rocha. The products have also been immediately available to consumers in the United States and the United Kingdom through eBay Live, the company’s live shopping experience.

“eBay has been a driving force in promoting more sustainable fashion“Kirsty Keoghan, General Director of Fashion at eBay, said in a statement. “With the launch of Pre-Loved Fashion Week, we’re taking to fashion’s biggest stage and proving that authentic designer fashion doesn’t have to be out of reach.“.
From eBay they claim to be the first brand to be presented at London Fashion Week with an offer made up entirely of items used in the main program.

The second hand of Oxfam and Vinted at London Fashion Week

On the other hand, Oxfam It was also present at London Fashion Week. He did it hand in hand with the platform Vinted and as part of its Second Hand September campaign, initially launched in 2019 with the intention of promoting more sustainable consumption that helps reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the planet.

Thus, it has inaugurated the fashion event with the “Style for Change” parade, in which it has been possible to see looks composed entirely of second-hand items created by the stylist Bay Garnett, and that have been worn by a handful of popular faces of the British market, such as the actor Robert Sheehan, the singer Frankie Bridge or the model Eunice Olumide . The garments could be purchased at Vinted through the Oxfam online store.

As Oxfam has pointed out, the objective of the association and the initiative has been make second-hand fashion mainstream and demonstrate that with used items people can also express their personal style and contribute to a greater cause. “Our fashion show will be the ultimate showcase for sustainable fashion, which we hope will inspire people to discover the joys of second-hand clothing“; said Kehinde Brown, Strategic Communications Lead at Oxfam, in a statement.