Slow is the go for Queenstown Lakes fashion shows

Forget brand-new designer clothes during March as the district celebrates all things second-hand for Slow Fashion Month.

This year, Queenstown and Wānaka are both calling secondhand superstars to, quite literally, model conscious consumer behaviour.

Fashion shows are set to be held in both locations, organised by Sustainable Queenstown and Wānaka Wastebusters, and supported by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. 

In Queenstown, in what will be a first-time event, organisers are looking for locals who've embraced pre-loved, treasured hand-me-downs, or upcycled clothing and are willing to step in the spotlight and display their planet-loving wardrobe.

Sustainable champions rock their secondhand style in a fashion show in Wānaka in 2023.

It's an open invite to walk the runway and tell the audience how they assembled their look, and their journey to slow fashion. 

A panel of judges, featuring Kath Buttar (QLDC), Nina Chen (TIKKI Studio) and Annabel Emery (Anecdote Studio), will choose the winners based on style and sustainability, with a selection of prizes on offer from local sustainable businesses like Walk in Wardrobe, TIKKI studio and Stitch n Time. 

The event will be held at the Salvation Army Community Centre in Frankton on Saturday, March 23, from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.

Those not keen to strut their stuff but willing to turn up in op-shop couture will receive a raffle entry for every secondhand piece of clothing they wear to the event. 

There's also an after-hours op shop pop-up market, with items from Salvation Army's Family Store, Coco's Cabins, and the Strange Goods Market available for browsing.

Meanwhile over in Wānaka, a similar event is celebrating its second year promoting a sustainable runway at the Lake Wanaka Centre from 6pm on Thursday, March 21. 

Sustainable Queenstown is also sharing a few more opportunities for the community to learn about sustainable clothing choices; promoting choosing well, wearing for longer, mending and repairing.

• TIKKI studio’s ‘Visible Mend’ workshop on Sunday, March 17, with guest facilitator Nat Perks, is focused on learning how to breathe new life into ripped jeans by using embroidery to patch them up
• Sustainable Queenstown’s Green Drinks ‘Gear and Beer’ on Thursday, March 21, will feature a gear swap hosted at Patagonia Clothing and Equipment, where attendees can swap their old outdoor gear for something new to them
• Another TIKKI studio event, Sip ‘n’ Sew at Gantley’s Pub on Thursday, March 21, is focused on learning how to perform simple mends and alterations 

Tickets to Queenstown's event are available on Humanitix and from Sustainable Queenstown's Facebook Page. $15 adults, Free for under 18s.

Tickets to Wānaka's event are also available on Humantix.

Main image: Models in secondhand clothing strut their stuff at 2023's fashion show in Wānaka.