Every now and then, we're asked: "Why is there a $3 entry fee?"
Here's our answer.
Her Wardrobe Markets is proudly an independent Australian woman-owned small business.
Our story actually began long before Her Wardrobe Markets.
Back in 2003, we were producing warehouse sales for some of Australia's most iconic fashion brands, including Sass & Bide and Herringbone. We hosted sales at Brisbane City Hall, with queues stretching around the block, back when King George Square still had its fountain. It was an exciting time in Brisbane fashion, and we were proud to help connect women with incredible Australian designers.
The Y2K vintage you're searching for today, some of those pieces may have originally passed through our very first warehouse sales.
It’s incredible to witness the cyclical and circular nature of fashion, coming back around decades later with a whole new story to tell.
That is one of the biggest driving forces behind why we do what we do.
Fashion doesn’t have to be disposable.
As the retail landscape changed and international fast fashion became increasingly dominant, many well-known Australian fashion brands faced significant challenges. We watched the industry evolve, and with it, our purpose evolved too.
Rather than continuing down the traditional retail path, we made a conscious decision to pivot entirely towards sustainable fashion. In 2015, Her Wardrobe Markets was born with a simple mission: to transform the way we buy and sell fashion by making second-hand shopping something to celebrate, while creating new income opportunities for women and extending the life of quality clothing.
Since launching Her Wardrobe Markets in 2015, we've hosted more than 500 markets, welcomed tens of thousands of shoppers and created opportunities for thousands of women to earn extra income by giving their wardrobes a second life.
We do not charge an entry fee at all of our events. We charge an entry fee to the events that require it to make that location financially viable form a business perspective. That $3 entry fee makes hosting a market in that location possible for us.
It could contribute to any one of our expenses, including: venue hire, public liability insurance, marketing, ticketing systems, website costs, hosting, equipment, signage, storage, administration and all of the behind-the-scenes planning and footwork that happens long before the doors open at each market.
When you walk into one of our markets, you're experiencing and event that takes weeks and weeks of planning.
Like any business that has been operating for over a decade, we've experienced incredible highs and some very challenging moments. When you've served tens of thousands of people, it's inevitable that not every experience will be perfect.
If we've ever let you down, we apologise and we genuinely want to know.
Our preference is always to resolve concerns directly, respectfully and fairly. If you believe you're owed a refund or have an unresolved issue with us, please contact our team. We will do our absolute best to help.
We've learned that running a visible fashion market business also means attracting criticism on social media, sometimes it's constructive, but most of the time, it really is not.
We welcome honest feedback because it helps us improve.
We don't let anonymous social media negativity distract us from the literal thousands and thousands and thousands of positive interactions we have with our community in real life every year.
Rather than spending our energy arguing online, we've invest it where it matters most: creating more markets, supporting more sellers and expanding into new communities across Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
That's how we've responded to every challenge since launching. We show up, listen, improve and continuing to build.
Rack by rack. Our decades of longevity speaks for itself.
More than 500 markets later, we're still here because of the people who choose to spend their weekends with us, recommend us to a friend, book a stall and come thrift with us.
To every seller, shopper, venue partner and supporter who has been part of this thriftting journey, thank you.
We'll continue doing what we've always set out to do: creating welcoming spaces, supporting women, strengthening local communities and proving that fashion can have a second life.
Can't wait to see you at the next market.
Come See What Your $3 Supports.
If you’ve never experienced a Her Wardrobe Markets event before, we’d love to welcome you.
Come thrift with us and discover your next favourite piece!
Your $3 entry helps us continue creating spaces where local sellers can share their style, earn extra income and connect with thousands of like-minded shoppers.
Next markets:
👗 Rack Market Newstead
📍 Stratton Bar & Kitchen, Newstead
📅 Sunday 19 July
⏰ 8am–12pm
🎟️ $3 entry
Click here to book a rack or table and sell your wardrobe.
🌊 Her Wardrobe Markets Tugun
📍 Tugun
📅 Saturday 25 July
⏰ 12pm–4pm
🎟️ $3 entry
Click here to book a stall and sell your wardrobe.
Bring your friends, bring your curiosity and come thrift with us.
Thank you for supporting circular fashion, local sellers and the incredible community that has grown around Her Wardrobe Markets.
See you at the racks. xo
