Pre-loved designer fashion steps onto the runway at SA Fashion Week

Pre-loved designer fashion is no longer just a savvy shopping secret. It has made its way onto South African runways.

At two recent fashion events, local designers styled their new collections with second-hand luxury shoes, handbags and sunglasses.

The message: fashion’s next statement piece may already be in someone’s wardrobe.

At South African Fashion Week in Johannesburg on 23 October, designer Craig Jacobs styled his The New Earth collection for his label Fundudzi with 12 pairs of pre-owned designer shoes.

Fittingly, the week’s theme was “Wear what’s in your wardrobe”.

The shoes included Jimmy Choo stilettos, Tod’s sandals and Louis Vuitton loafers.

A collection built on second chances

Inspired by Southern Africa’s geological landscapes, Jacobs’ collection reworked surplus and discarded garments.

The pre-owned shoes, supplied by local luxury reseller Luxity, were used as they were, without alteration.

“The New Earth is all about transformation and rethinking the value of things we have come to regard as disposable,” Jacobs said.

He added that the pre-owned pieces helped reinforce the collection’s message about circular fashion, which keeps clothes and accessories in use for longer.

Pre-owned luxury on Cape Town’s runway

The trend also reached Cape Town.

At Fame Week Africa’s African Fashion Forum on 28 October, pre-owned luxury handbags and sunglasses featured in the runway show Tastes + Threads.

The show brought together local labels Urban Zulu, House of Xandria and Thethana/Emotives.

Each paired their collections with second-hand designer accessories, from a Balenciaga bag to Bottega Veneta sunglasses.

Why pre-loved designer fashion matters

The trend reflects a global shift towards archive and vintage fashion, with older designer pieces increasingly appearing on red carpets and runways.

It also speaks to fashion’s environmental cost.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the equivalent of a rubbish truckload of clothing is burnt or sent to landfill every second.

Buying second-hand can also make designer brands more affordable.

Luxity says 57.7% of purchases on its platform are below R10 000.

How to shop for pre-owned luxury safely

You don’t need a designer budget to join the trend.

Charity shops, vintage stores, consignment boutiques and online marketplaces all sell second-hand fashion.

But if you’re buying designer items, be careful, because counterfeits are common. Before you buy:

• Ask how the item was authenticated, and buy from sellers who check items before selling them
• Request detailed photos, including labels, serial numbers and any wear
• Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true, especially on social media
• Pay through a secure method that offers buyer protection, rather than an EFT to a stranger

Start with something versatile, such as a bag or pair of shoes you’ll actually wear often.