Talkin’ ’bout a revolution: Three Sixty Fashion Markets

Posted on 28 October, 2014

It’s a new era in fashion – there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels and up-and-coming designers all together.”
~ Alexander McQueen

Fashion has moved from consumption-driven purchases, where acid wash jeans, scrunchies and blossom hats were a must-have, must-wear item, to a more community driven movement where scouring markets, op shops and recycling pre-loved clothing is more than just acceptable; it’s a statement about who you are.

But if you’ve seen one market, you’ve seen them all right?

As an avid lover and frequenter of vintage, recycled and secondhand markets I’ve certainly been spoilt for choice with access to both Sydney and Melbourne markets having lived in the beloved cities, and so can attest that the nation’s capital is only just beginning to come make its own statement on the fashion and market scene.

So when I heard there’s to be a new market that will soon have its presence known here in Canberra, I squealed with delight (on the inside) and quickly pounced on my wardrobe to make room for soon to be preloved purchases. Hey, who doesn’t love a good bargain?

But with the establishment of any market, be it fashion, food or handmade goodies, comes a lot of organising and coordinating. I caught up with Mel O’Brien of Kingston Foreshore’s new resident, Three Sixty Fashion Market to find out how more about the market that is set to tune Canberra’s style dial.

Models Erina Fletcher & Mikayla Thomas: Erina wears vintage dress by Retro Vacation and Mikayla wears Pure Pod and millinery by Barbara Mickelson, hair and make up by Hair Flair in Dickson, photography by Raymond Mac Neill Photography.

Three Sixty Fashion Market is a collaborative affair. Who is behind it?

Mel O’Brien: Three Sixty Fashion Market is a collaboration run by a team of business people and friends who understand vintage clothes, designer bargains, markets, logistics, op shopping, running a stall and marketing an event. Three Sixty Fashion Market brings all the diversity of these things together.

We are a group of friends with a lot in common. I have a background in event management and am actually a history teacher and the face behind the brand LibrarianChic. Patrick is my partner, involved in the ACT government and a tradie (that’s a tradesman), so he is used to setting up market stalls for me and has a lot of experience in the logistics involved with running a market.

Rossanna has been running a vintage clothing stall Retro Vacation at Gorman House for eight years and its a popular spot for vintage hunters. Felipe runs a coffee stall at Gorman House every Saturday and makes a great cup of coffee. Together, they along with their families makeup the back end of the market but are reluctant to be in the limelight because the market is more about those who have their stalls and visitors to the markets rather than themselves.

Why Three Sixty Fashion Market? What inspired the four of you to create it?
Three Sixty Fashion Market aims to create a loop between selling and buying fashion. That is why our name suggests going full circle. We wanted to create a Canberra-based marketplace dedicated to recycling vintage, retro, handmade and preloved fashion as well as providing the opportunity for people to set up stall and recycle some of those items in their wardrobe that they no longer wear due to style change, sizing, wardrobe about to explode, etc. It’s fun but also reassuring to know where your clothes go to next and having interaction with that process. It makes people feel better about parting with that item of clothing they have held onto knowing they won’t ever wear it again but also needed a connection in the process of parting with it.

Millions of clothing end up in landfill each year and so our market is also backlash against the ‘fast’ fashion we see in shopping malls.  We were inspired to create a place to shop and sell and where ethical choices and ecological sustainability are just as important as value, style and fun!

What sets Three Sixty FM apart from the other fashion markets in Canberra?

Our market is committed to building a community focused on sustainable fashion. We enable people to tune their style dials. The market will be a fun and exciting experience with an emphasis on looking and feeling good. This is a dedicated fashion market for stylish and discerning shoppers who value ecological choice as much as a fashion caper. We are also accessible which is why our stalls are only $79 with public liability included. We want that mix of local designers, vintage sellers and people being able to recycle their preloved designer fashion.

Do you think Canberra is seeing a growth in the market scene?
It’s a small scene with big growth and an indication that we have a thriving small business. People are starting to invest not only into themselves for their own personal wealth but also in creating and supporting small businesses. There is a whole movement around ‘shop small’ that we want to embrace at Three Sixty FM. With all this in mind we don’t really want our market to be a “scene”.

 I believe that you can never have too many markets in one town—variety is key. Do you agree?

Yes, it’s a win-win situation for everyone. Being next door to the thriving Old Bus Depot markets is perfect for us. We hope to inject more energy into it and generate a follow-on effect for all business in the area. Our market strives to have a mix of fashion sellers, however we need our market to also be true to its brand. We don’t want people selling anything but fashion at our market. The variety will be in the fashion available on the day. You can have markets that diversify too much, but we will be strictly fashion as we do not want to confuse our shoppers with entertainment or distract them with food.

It’s refreshing to see a couple of guys also involved with the creating of a market, do you think men look for a vintage/hipster/recycled bargain just as much as women do?

Totally. Three Sixty Fashion Market will have men’s vintage as well as featuring handmade fashion label Edswood. The market will always be dominated by women’s fashion and that is simply because men’s fashion only really changes every 10 years, however we do want men to be fashionably engaged as much as women at our market.

There was a time when people looked down on buying secondhand or vintage, why do you think there has been a shift in perspective?

Because there is a difference between being stingy and being thrifty. We are moving from consumption-driven to community-driven. We say don’t be a fashion soldier and find that unique style by coming to our market or applying to sell.

Models Erina Fletcher & Mikayla Thomas: Erina wears vintage dress by Retro Vacation and Mikayla wears Pure Pod and millinery by Barbara Mickelson, hair and make up by Hair Flair in Dickson, photography by Raymond Mac Neill Photography.

What can fashionistas and thrifters expect on the day?

To let loose in a world of fashion with pieces from all corners and the most amazing stylish, designer and unusual fashion. We have approx 30 fashion-focused stalls on the day with a balanced mix of preloved designer wear for all ages, vintage and retro dealers, local designers who have showcased at FashFest, milliners, flower crowns, handmade bow ties & cufflinks, accessories both designer and handmade and jewellery. There will be a market barista and a lounge for those needing to take five and contemplate their purchases. We are also excited to have Big Ink magazine setting up stall on the day to promote their local fashion-focused magazine.

What is the best bargain you’ve picked up from a market, local or interstate?
Rozelle markets (inner Sydney) has fascinating retro fashion. On our way out the door I picked up this amazing side table for only $20.

That is a bit of a steal. How often do you plan to hold Three Sixty FM?

The first market will take place on Sunday 23 November. But in 2015, our market will be held once a month on Sunday as Canberra’s newest dedicated Fashion Market and will be held in the The Fitters Workshop which is located in the former industrial/engineering services area of Kingston between Wentworth Avenue and Lake Burley Griffin. The Workshop dates back to 1916 and is a large concrete building with a gabled tiled roof, and has an impressive space within it.

Our 2015 dates are:

• 15 February
• 15 March
• 26 April
• 24 May
• 21 June
• 19 July
• 30 August
• 27 September
• 25 October
• 22 November

How can people apply to be a stallholder and is there a strict criteria?

Our application to be a stall holder can be found online.  The goods for sale must be strictly good quality –basically garments and accessories you would wear yourself but no longer do, due to sizing etc. They don’t have to be strictly designer, just stuff that is made well (not discount department store fashion) and in good condition.

We do not accept applications from stores selling new stock, seconds or items they can’t clear. We also do not accept applications from sellers who have a shop front. It does not fit in with our market ethos. The items sold at Three Sixty Fashion Market must be secondhand vintage, retro or preloved designer. New with tags is okay for a few items as long as the majority of your stock is not like this. It also has to be fashionable so we really do not want people selling things like tracksuit pants.

So Canberra, if you love style and sustainability, save the date and stay tuned to 360FM.

The essentials

What: Three Sixty Fashion Markets

When: 10am to 3pm, Sunday 23 November 2014

Where: The Fitters Workshop, Kingston (between Wentworth Avenue and Lake Burley Griffin)

How much: Entry is free or $79 to be a stallholder

Web: www.threesixtyfm.com