Fashionistas flock to market for taste of all things vintage, preloved
On Saturday, Dunedin treasure hunters swarmed to the Maori Hill Community Centre in Highgate to search through the racks for second-hand, or unique and handmade clothing and goods.
When the doors opened at 11am, there was already a sizable queue.
At the market was Venus Vintage Treasure's stallholder Abby Fleur, who said her stall was comprised of pieces she had thrifted and found, clothing picked at estate sales and also "really quality old school woollens".
Some of the clothing came from her own wardrobe; other clothes she had spotted while hunting for a bargain and never had the chance to make use of.
Others were damaged pieces she fixed up to breathe new life into.
"The secret trick is actually to spray cheap vodka on the clothes and it transforms the must molecules — they just evaporate off.
"It's totally magic ... it can go from smelling like literal hell, then be restored to its former glory," she said.
She did not expect to sell everything. A lot of the clothing was unique and needed the right owner to fall in love with it.
But Ms Fleur was happy to keep hold of the pieces until that time came.
She said she did not have a lot of money to put into the operation she was running, and it was more of a "scrounging operation" at times.
But giving new life to a garment, then seeing a person fall in love with it, made it all worthwhile.
Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market organiser Joanna Livingston said there were 11 different sellers who all had their own "vibes and passion".
"We all love doing this because we're really into the sustainability side of it, as well as the uniqueness of the fashion," she said.
One of her favourite parts of the day was seeing all the unique outfits the treasure hunters were wearing.
"People walk in and they're often wearing such cool clothes. You're like, 'oh, look at her outfit, look at his outfit'."
The clothing markets are usually held about four to five times a year between February and November, Ms Livingston said.
"The people that are here, the sellers, are just very passionate about what they do. It's not a money-making venture. It is a true passion for the clothing, which is really gorgeous."
The Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market's next event would be on August 9 and 10 with a pop-up shop at the Dunedin Community Gallery.
laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
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Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Fashionistas flock to market
Rest the perfect vintage outfit is one part passion and one part cheap vodka, a preloved clothing vendor says. On Saturday, Dunedin treasure hunters swarmed to the Maori Hill Community Centre in Highgate to search through the racks for second-hand, or unique and handmade clothing and goods. When the doors opened at 11am, there was already a sizable queue. At the market was Venus Vintage Treasure's stallholder Abby Fleur, who said her stall was comprised of pieces she had thrifted and found, clothing picked at estate sales and also "really quality old school woollens". Some of the clothing came from her own wardrobe; other clothes she had spotted while hunting for a bargain and never had the chance to make use of. Others were damaged pieces she fixed up to breathe new life into. "The secret trick is actually to spray cheap vodka on the clothes and it transforms the must molecules — they just evaporate off. "It's totally magic ... it can go from smelling like literal hell, then be restored to its former glory," she said. She did not expect to sell everything. A lot of the clothing was unique and needed the right owner to fall in love with it. But Ms Fleur was happy to keep hold of the pieces until that time came. She said she did not have a lot of money to put into the operation she was running, and it was more of a "scrounging operation" at times. But giving new life to a garment, then seeing a person fall in love with it, made it all worthwhile. Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market organiser Joanna Livingston said there were 11 different sellers who all had their own "vibes and passion". "We all love doing this because we're really into the sustainability side of it, as well as the uniqueness of the fashion," she said. One of her favourite parts of the day was seeing all the unique outfits the treasure hunters were wearing. "People walk in and they're often wearing such cool clothes. You're like, 'oh, look at her outfit, look at his outfit'." The clothing markets are usually held about four to five times a year between February and November, Ms Livingston said. "The people that are here, the sellers, are just very passionate about what they do. It's not a money-making venture. It is a true passion for the clothing, which is really gorgeous." The Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market's next event would be on August 9 and 10 with a pop-up shop at the Dunedin Community Gallery.
Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Fashionistas flock to market for taste of all things vintage, preloved
Rest the perfect vintage outfit is one part passion and one part cheap vodka, a preloved clothing vendor says. On Saturday, Dunedin treasure hunters swarmed to the Maori Hill Community Centre in Highgate to search through the racks for second-hand, or unique and handmade clothing and goods. When the doors opened at 11am, there was already a sizable queue. At the market was Venus Vintage Treasure's stallholder Abby Fleur, who said her stall was comprised of pieces she had thrifted and found, clothing picked at estate sales and also "really quality old school woollens". Some of the clothing came from her own wardrobe; other clothes she had spotted while hunting for a bargain and never had the chance to make use of. Others were damaged pieces she fixed up to breathe new life into. "The secret trick is actually to spray cheap vodka on the clothes and it transforms the must molecules — they just evaporate off. "It's totally magic ... it can go from smelling like literal hell, then be restored to its former glory," she said. She did not expect to sell everything. A lot of the clothing was unique and needed the right owner to fall in love with it. But Ms Fleur was happy to keep hold of the pieces until that time came. She said she did not have a lot of money to put into the operation she was running, and it was more of a "scrounging operation" at times. But giving new life to a garment, then seeing a person fall in love with it, made it all worthwhile. Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market organiser Joanna Livingston said there were 11 different sellers who all had their own "vibes and passion". "We all love doing this because we're really into the sustainability side of it, as well as the uniqueness of the fashion," she said. One of her favourite parts of the day was seeing all the unique outfits the treasure hunters were wearing. "People walk in and they're often wearing such cool clothes. You're like, 'oh, look at her outfit, look at his outfit'." The clothing markets are usually held about four to five times a year between February and November, Ms Livingston said. "The people that are here, the sellers, are just very passionate about what they do. It's not a money-making venture. It is a true passion for the clothing, which is really gorgeous." The Be-loved Vintage and Pre-loved Clothing Market's next event would be on August 9 and 10 with a pop-up shop at the Dunedin Community Gallery.
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Event celebrates Dalai Lama's 90th
Tibetan monks Lobsang Dhoyoe (left) and Lobsang Gyatso create a sand mandala celebrating a compassionate life. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSON A global peace icon has been honoured during five days of events. The Dhargyey Buddhist Centre recently marked the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama with a range of displays and activities at the Dunedin Community Gallery. Committee member Brent Caldwell said it was all about celebrating the life and works of His Holiness. A circle of four video displays presented information on the Dalai Lama's four principal commitments — human values, religious harmony, Tibetan culture and the revival of ancient Indian wisdom. A space for meditation and quiet reflection was created in one corner, including an altar displaying the Buddhist offering of seven water bowls — for drinking, washing, flowers, incense, light, perfume and food. A "kindness tree" invited visitors to record an act of goodwill or a birthday message on a card shaped like a bodhi (sacred fig tree) leaf and hang it on the branches. The space showcased Tibetan cultural artefacts and costumes as well as information about the Buddhist centre. One screen featured information on the Portobello Stupa, while another outlined ongoing fundraising efforts to repair the basement of the centre's Royal Tce home, which suffers from water seepage and soil contamination. Talks covered subjects such as human values and religious harmony. Throughout the five-day celebration, Tibetan monks Lobsang Dhoyoe and Lobsang Gyatso worked on creating an intricate multi-coloured sand mandala, ceremonially sweeping it away yesterday after completion. The Dalai Lama's worldwide advocacy for peace was recognised with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
