By Kelly Kayne
Local Westsider and sustainability teacher Dianne McDonald is on a mission to change the way we shop for clothes. Opening her West Footscray store in July 2022, Gathering Threads promotes circular fashion by providing a space for people to buy and sell quality, preloved clothing.
Growing up in country Victoria, Dianne’s love of op shopping began with her family outings.
“This is where I developed a love for looking and sorting through old toys, books and clothing. Then as a teenager in the late nineties, I was into vintage grunge and op shops were the perfect place to buy old granny jumpers, lace tops and nighties or vintage cord pants”.
Australia is the second highest consumer of textiles per person in the world, resulting in 23 kilograms of clothing, per person, going to landfills each year. Dianne’s idea was to provide a space where people can hire a clothes wrack and sell their used, quality items whilst keeping one hundred per cent of the profits.
“Sellers can rent the space for one week or for 4 weeks and can restock items as they sell. Some of our sellers have made over six hundred dollars in one week alone”.
The space is an old converted house in Barkly Village and has a lovely warm feeling with beautiful garments, jewellery, hats, bags and shoes adorning the walls and nooks. As a seller, you can drop off your clothes in a safe, secure place without setting up a stall. As a buyer, you can try on the clothes, removing the frustration of ill fitting items or sketchy quality like the Facebook marketplace.
“I’ve lived in this community for fifteen years, we pride ourselves in creating a place where locals can come and feel at home, have a chat, share fashion tips and leave with an extra spring in their step”.
Gathering Threads is smack bang in the middle of Barkley Village. You can book a rack online, check out what’s just come in on Instagram and drop in Wednesday to Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. (Late-night shopping on Thursdays until 8pm)
Website
www.gatheringthreads.com.au
Instagram
@gathering_threads
