How Queenstown Is Rethinking Fashion
It’s easy to forget how quickly clothing has become disposable.
What used to be bought, worn, repaired and passed on is now often replaced without a second thought… and that shift is exactly what ReFashion Queenstown is hoping to challenge.
Returning to Queenstown for its third year, this time at the Memorial Hall on Saturday 28 March, the community-led event brings together local designers, stylists, makers and resale organisations for an evening centred around slow fashion… a concept that’s gaining traction as people begin to rethink how they engage with clothing.
Rather than focusing on trends, slow fashion encourages a different mindset. It asks questions like: Was this made ethically? Can I wear it longer? Could it be repaired, reused, or passed on?
At ReFashion, those ideas take shape on the runway.
This year’s show will feature a mix of designers working across natural fibres, upcycling, vintage restoration and clothing repair, each offering their own interpretation of what more considered fashion can look like. Some pieces are created entirely from repurposed materials, while others focus on extending the life of garments that might otherwise have been discarded.
“There’s no single way to approach slow fashion, and that’s what makes it interesting,” says event coordinator Laura Palmieri. “For some people it’s about repairing what they already own, for others it’s buying second-hand, or supporting local designers. It all contributes to the same bigger picture.”
Beyond the runway, the event also includes an op-shop night market, where community organisations and vintage sellers will offer a curated selection of pre-loved clothing. For many, it’s a chance to see what’s available locally… and perhaps rethink where they shop. There’s also a raffle with a simple twist — every second-hand item worn to the event becomes a ticket. It’s a small incentive, but one that reflects the wider message behind the evening.
The event is delivered by Sustainable Queenstown’s Resourceful Communities programme, with all proceeds going back into local sustainability initiatives. Like many community events, it relies heavily on volunteers and local support to bring it together.
While the environmental impact of fast fashion sits in the background, ReFashion doesn’t position itself as a lecture. Instead, it leans into creativity, community, and the idea that change can start with small, everyday decisions.
“We’re not expecting everyone to walk away and completely change how they shop,” says Palmieri. “But if people leave thinking a little differently about the clothes they already have, that’s a great place to start.”
ReFashion Queenstown runs from 6pm to 9:30pm, with the runway show beginning at 7:15pm.
Tickets are $20, and guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite second-hand pieces… which might just earn them a spot in the raffle.
