Oxfam x Vinted Style for Change Fashion Show

The day kicks off early. Some of my colleagues were at the venue before 6am! Luckily, I avoided that fate. But, whilst I snooze, the team are busy prepping the space: building the runway, setting up lights, posters, and video displays. Backstage, it’s a whirlwind of activity: the mountains of pre-loved fashion are unpacked and put on rails, dressing rooms are built, and hair and makeup glam stations are set up.

Stylist Bay Garnett curates each look weeks in advance, sourcing iconic pieces from Oxfam shops and warehouses up and down the country. This year’s theme? A journey through fashion history, from vintage M&S to high-end Vivienne Westwood and Christian Dior. The fittings take place in the week before the show. Bay carefully selects items to fit each of the walkers, including models and activists Katie Piper and Munroe Bergdorf, and singer Sam Ryder.

Models arrive for glam and styling. Hair and makeup artists donate their time, and Oxfam staff help with quick changes backstage. The dress rehearsal is a magical moment. This is where the stylist, models, Oxfam and Vinted staff get a first glimpse of months of work coming together.

Guests arrive. The dress code is second hand fashion, and seeing everyone dressed up to the nines is like a catwalk show in itself! One of my favourite memories from this year was seeing Jameela Jamil, the face of Oxfam's Second Hand September, sitting front row – the glamour was off the scale! 

The lights go down, the music starts, and the show begins. You can hear a ripple of excitement pass through the crowd. From the media pit, I got the perfect view of each look and it’s pure magic. One of my highlights? Seeing Sabrina Grant opening the show in a cape hand-stitched with the words “what you wear has power” – a truly iconic fashion moment.

It was also incredible to see designs from Oxfam’s Textile Upcycle Lab come to life on the runway. This project saw nine BA fashion design students from Leeds Beckett University learn to upcycle unwearable clothing into new and exciting pieces. From Chynae Brown’s re-worked Real Madrid shirt to Joyce Kotei’s flamenco-inspired trousers worn by Katie Piper, and Adelaide’s standout athleisure looks – each piece proved that sustainable fashion is an incredible source of creativity and self-expression.

I catch up with Kellyann, manager at the Bethnal Green Oxfam shop, re-living it all. Kellyann is a bona fide style icon, and her excitement made every bit of effort worth it.

After a long day, we’re on the train back to Oxford, still buzzing from the show! Social media is lighting up with posts from attendees sharing their incredible experiences. It’s amazing to see so many of the attendees and models posting about their incredible experiences. There’s nothing better than seeing second hand fashion steal the show!

As part of Second Hand September, find items selected from Oxfam by Bay Garnett, stylist behind this year's Oxfam x Vinted Style for Change Fashion Show. Shop Bay Garnett's fashion edit.