This year, Australian Fashion Week is shaping up to be an archival trend revival as designers bring pre-loved gems from eBay Australia to the catwalk for a fresh take on vintage style.
In celebration of its fourth consecutive year as a sponsor, eBay Australia is partnering with Vogue Australia to showcase archival looks from iconic designers that embody craftsmanship, quality, and storytelling from some of Australia’s leading designers, including Aje, Bianca Spender, Lee Mathews, Nagnata and Romance Was Born. Styled by celebrity stylist and pre-loved fashion advocate Jess Pecoraro, the show aims to inspire Australians and industry thought leaders alike to shop pre-loved and adopt more sustainable style habits.
The archival trend is taking centre stage both globally and locally among fashion-lovers right now. Interest is thriving, with collectors eager to invest in celebrated pieces—evidenced by the sale of a John Galliano for Christian Dior leather shearling coat for just under $12,750, the most expensive Galliano item ever sold on eBay Australia.1
According to eBay’s 2024 global Recommerce Report, Australians are embracing pre-loved fashion as a stylish and responsible choice.2 The report revealed that 77% of eBay customers say buying pre-loved has become more common in recent years, with 62% doing so to save money and 49% driven by the desire to find items no longer available new.3
eBay Australia’s Fashion Lead, Anne-Marie Cheney, said: “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.4 Clothing remains the top pre-loved purchase for almost half of consumers worldwide, suggesting a growing appetite for sustainable style.5
“Australians are proving their love for fashion, with Australian brands like Aje, Country Road, and Zimmermann searched for every 20 seconds on eBay.6 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.”
Alongside the growing demand for vintage luxury, Australian designer fashion is also booming, with eBay Australia users consistently searching for homegrown labels—Aje, Oroton, Scanlan Theodore, and Zimmermann are the top five most searched Australian luxury pre-loved fashion brands on the platform.7 The demand for Australian designers also extends to women’s dresses, with Aje, Alemais, Gorman, Scanlan Theodore, and Zimmermann topping the list of the top five most searched-for brands on eBay Australia.8
Co-Founder and CEO of Aje, Adrian Norris, said: “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.”
Celebrity influence is further fuelling interest in one-of-a-kind fashion, with standout archival pieces gaining serious traction. Whitney Houston’s 1991 beaded Bob Mackie evening gown, which she wore to the Billboard Awards, recently sold for just over $8,050, making it the most expensive Bob Mackie item ever sold on eBay Australia.9
Celebrity stylist and pre-loved fashion enthusiast, Jess Pecoraro, said: “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.”
Exclusive brand collaborations are also gaining momentum, with fashion lovers eager for limited-release, collectable items. This growing demand has led to record-breaking sales on eBay Australia, including the 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)—each the most expensive item ever sold on the platform for its respective brand.10
As part of eBay Australia’s partnership with Australian Fashion Week, from 13 - 16 May, Australians will have the chance to visit the eBay Pre-loved Lounge, an interactive space designed to showcase Australian designer archival pre-loved fashion, international luxury special pieces, and foster connections within the community.
Australian shoppers on the platform will have the opportunity to join the pre-loved fashion movement through a limited-time 15 per cent discount offer for supercharged savings on their unique finds (T&Cs apply).
To shop the brands you love on eBay and learn more, please visit: https://www.ebay.com.au/d/fashion
For further information, please contact:
Emily Fookes, Pulse
PH: 0438 854 883 I E: emily.fookes@ogilvy.com.au
Isabelle Tawfik, Pulse
PH: 0447 144 490 I E: isabelle.tawfik@ogilvy.com
About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2024, eBay enabled $75 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
About the Australian Fashion Council:
The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation. Find out more here: https://ausfashioncouncil.com/.
1 eBay Australia data 2024 - Date range: 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2024.
2 eBay 2024 Recommerce Report, accessible here: https://www.ebayinc.com/recommerce-report/
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 eBay Australia data 2024 - Date range: 1 January 2023 - 31 December 2024.
7 Ibid.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid.
