From Brisbane Warehouse Sales to 500+ Fashion Markets: The Story of Her Wardrobe Markets
Did you know our story began long before Her Wardrobe Markets launched in 2015?
In fact, you have to go all the way back to 2003. Yes, Y2K!
Long before secondhand fashion became mainstream and long before "circular fashion" was part of everyday conversation, we were producing some of Brisbane's biggest fashion warehouse sales for iconic Australian labels including Sass & Bide and Herringbone.
Those events were held at Brisbane City Hall, with queues stretching around King George Square back when the famous fountain was still there. If you were there, there's a good chance you remember the excitement of discovering incredible Australian fashion at warehouse prices. The events were truly something special! One Teaspoon, Kirrilly Johnston, Lisa Ho, were some of our absolute fave labels.
It's funny to think that some of the Y2K pieces people treasure at our markets today may have first passed through those very sales more than twenty years ago.
Fashion really does come full circle.
How Her Wardrobe Markets Began
As Australia's retail landscape evolved, so did we.
Fast fashion became increasingly dominant, many much-loved Australian fashion brands disappeared, and quality clothing became more disposable than ever before.
Rather than continue down the traditional retail path, we chose a different direction.
In 2015, Her Wardrobe Markets was born with one simple vision:
To transform the way we buy and sell fashion, support a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry, and create additional income opportunities for women.
We believed beautiful clothing deserved more than one life, and that every wardrobe held untapped value.
More Than 500 Markets Later
What started as one fashion market has grown into one of Australia's longest-running secondhand fashion market communities.
Since 2015 we've proudly hosted:
- More than 500 fashion markets
- Tens of thousands of sellers
- Hundreds of thousands of shoppers
- Countless friendships and community connections
- An immeasurable number of garments given a second life instead of ending up in landfill
Today, Her Wardrobe Markets continues to bring together fashion lovers across Brisbane and the Gold Coast who share a passion for style, sustainability and supporting local communities.
Fashion Is About More Than Clothes (But it's also about the clothes)
Every market tells hundreds of stories.
We see mums turning wardrobes into extra income. Friends laughing and catching up over coffee and browsing the racks. Partners carrying shopping bags while patiently waiting. It's actually so nice to see!
First-time sellers discovering confidence after a successful market is heartwarming to see.
Shoppers finding just so many perfect things - the smiles never get old! We cannot get enough of listening to what you found, tell us more!
People expressing their individuality through fashion instead of following fast fashion trends is a sight to behold, come and have a look!
Fashion is what Her Wardrobe Markets is about.
If we weren't so deeply in love with fashion, we might have done something else by now.
A Business Built on Longevity
Like any business that's been operating for more than two decades, we've experienced incredible highs and some difficult chapters too.
Running events for hundreds of thousands of people means we won't always get everything right.
When we don't, we genuinely want to know.
Honest feedback has helped shape Her Wardrobe Markets. We listen, we learn, and we always do our best to treat our community fairly and respectfully.
Every market we see something very positive. People smiling. Wardrobes transformed into income and sustainable shopping becoming a ritual rather than a trend.
Most importantly, we see people choosing to support one another. It's so wholesome.
We are so proud of the Her Wardrobe Markets community we've been privileged to support. You're a very cool bunch!
The Next Chapter
We're incredibly excited about what's ahead.
As we continue expanding across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we're welcoming new communities through markets at Newstead, Red Hill, Tugun and Indooroopilly, with even more locations on the horizon.
We're also launching His Wardrobe, introducing dedicated men's fashion sections at selected Brisbane markets after years of requests from our community.
Our vision is the same.
We want to transform the way people buy and sell fashion while creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels they belong.
Thank You
To every venue partner, volunteer, supporter and every one of our 38,000+ Facebook followers—8,000 instagram fans,
Thank you for supporting local women. And embracing circular fashion. Thank you for believing in what we're building.
Most of all, thank you for thrifting with us. Here's to the next 500 markets.
Join Us at an Upcoming Market
If you're ready to refresh your wardrobe, discover incredible secondhand fashion or turn your wardrobe into extra cash, we'd love to welcome you. Book in a stall now.
NEWSTEAD // Brisbane
Sunday 19 July / 12 - 4pm / $3 Entry
RACK MARKET at Stratton Bar & Kitchen our Newstead favourite with rack and table included.
New cult following incoming. Book in.
TUGUN // Gold Coast
Saturday 25 July / 12 - 4pm / $3 Entry
Gold Coast FASHION MARKET has been a local favourite for over a decade. Fab crowds, great vibes and vast array of fashion from local fashion-lovers. Find us at Tugun Village Community Centre. Book in.
RED HILL // Brisbane
Sunday 2 August / 8am - 12pm / Free Entry
A beautiful Sunday morning THRIFT MARKET at Red Hill Bowls, Sports & Community Club. We are so grateful for our warm welcome to the neighbourhood, thank you! Book in.
INDOOROOPILLY // Brisbane
Saturday 8 August / 9am - 1pm / Free Entry
Brisbane's new Saturday thrift ritual. Rack, rummage, craft de-stash, decor, art, coffee and more! Great people selling great things at Witton Barracks at the Indro train station. Book in. .