Why Your Wardrobe Needs a Fashion Re:Boot

What inspired you to start Fashion Re:boot?

“The idea was first conceived during a kids after school play date with friend and fellow school mum, Erica Davies, who was a former fashion editor, like I was.

We had both helped with similar, one off, pre-loved fashion events and together wanted to scale things up for Fashion Re:Boot, and turn it into a bit of party. We wanted to create a fancy car boot – without the cars – that would help clothes junkies like us shop more sustainably. The first one was held in our local town hall, in 2016, gathering together a mixture of stallholders, including influencers, stylists and boutique owners. There was  a bar, food,tunes, mini manicures and specially designed tote bags, which were sponsored by a local department store in Ipswich. We actually never anticipated it would take off the way it did. It just gathered its own momentum really quickly. There have been events in Cheltenham, Brighton, Nottingham, Tunbridge Wells and Somerset, as well as South East London and Spitalfields. Pre-pandemic, there were up to 30 Fashion Re:Boots happening a year.”

 

What can sellers and shoppers expect from the event?

“There are between 30 and 45 sellers at each event, mainly people clearing their closets of their best pieces, although you will find some professional sellers in there too, clearing their own wardrobes. While lots of the people who come to sell do often sell on Debop, Ebay or Vinted mainly its people like us, who have over-shopped and are too time-poor, to sell online.  People come to enjoy a market environment, and want to chat and actually feel and see and try on clothes.”

 

Why is Old Spitalfields Market a good place to host the East London sale?

“I remember coming down to Spitalfields when I was in university and would come to London for weekends. I’d walk up from Liverpool Street Station and be met with this mecca of clothes traders, small producers, local creatives and independent retailers. You’d always find something different and individual whether it was a big faux fur coat for 20£ or a vintage party dress, it was so colourful and cool. While nowadays the market doesn’t feel so gritty it still has the sense that you can find unexpected things, which is why Fashion Re:Boot fits so well in here.”

 

Tell us about your top three personal purchases made at past events…

“At the last event I bought a pair of brand-new New Balance trainers (20£), a Toast jumpsuit ( a tenner) and pair of silver Kurt Geiger loafers (brand new in the box) for £30.”

 

Are there any items you are hoping you might be able to find to buy at the event for your autumn and winter wardrobe?

“I’m like a magpie at these events – I am not tactical at all – I am just drawn to whatever attracts me at that time. At one event I bought five jackets and another I came home with a box full of shoes! I do try to plan a little bit what I am after and I think at the next one I’ll look for oversized tailoring, cosy good quality cashmere and some great party wear as well. I am starting a new job in November and will need a few great pieces for that too. It is going to be a brilliant event at Spitalfields. I really can’t wait for it!”

 

Fashion Re:boot takes place on Friday 18th October. You’ll find out more details and can book you spot to shop or sell here.