Mills & York, a Melbourne based peer-to-peer luxury fashion platform that allows users to rent, lend and re-sell fashion items has officially launched and will be supporting Second Hand September, a global initiative by Oxfam UK which focuses on reducing landfill and consuming less.
September has always been traditionally the biggest month in fashion, when bumper magazine issues are launched alongside Spring/Summer fashion collections. Rather than trend driven shopping, focussed on newness, Oxfam noticed an opportunity to give clothes a longer life span and highlight the joy of second-hand shopping, with the aim of also reducing waste and changing consumer habits.
For the month of September, founders of Mills & York, Annabel Lott and Sophie Gunnersen will encourage luxury-loving fashionistas to participate in Second Hand September by signing up and pledging only to shop second hand for 30 days, joining thousands of people across the globe.
Pending lockdown, Mills & York are hoping to share this message IRL by hosting a handbag, shoe, jewellery and accessory Pop Up and information day in Melbourne CBD, pencilled for the 3rd September.
Those interstate can dial in on Zoom for a free ‘Pre-loved Fashion Consult’ by one of the Founders. Annabel Lott said, “we are excited to make a mark in sustainable fashion in Australia and help shape attitudes towards dressing in the age of over-consumption and help to de-stigmatize the ‘ick’ factor of pre-loved fashion.”
“Our peer-to-peer offering allows members to rent, lend or buy from a person who could be literally living in your street.”
At Mills & York you’ll find a mix of high-end luxury brands to rent, lend or resell such as Saint Laurent, Hermes, and Gucci to more edgy brands such as Acne, Rotate Birger and Proenza Schouler, as well as a collection of sought-after vintage pieces.
Sophie Gunnersen said, “a vision of a future where preloved items are given a circular life is important to us. Extending the life of what exists, while reducing waste, as well as positively impacting shopping behaviour continues to be our main business driver and source of inspiration for Mills & York.”
Mills & York’s #SecondHandSeptember campaign kicks off on Thursday 2nd of September and 5 per cent of profits for the month will be donated to Oxfam Aus.
