A local thrifting market in Nelson Mandela Bay dubbed “from London to Lorraine preloved market” is proving that thrifting is way more than a passing trend.
Georgina Hounsfield has combined her love of food and fashion with her concern for the environment to create a market that has the metro buzzing.
With cupboards full of clothes she collected while working abroad as a private chef, Hounsfield wanted to make sure her collection went to good homes and did not end up getting thrown away.
She realized that others might have the same issue – cupboards full of good quality clothes they no longer had use of – and started the market at the Port Elizabeth riding club at the beginning of the year.
“Many people have clothes they no longer wear, this is a way to pay it forward while making some extra money,” said Hounsfield, the owner of Oh So Georgie food services.
Hounsfield is no novice when it comes to the fashion industry having worked in retail in Cape Town before venturing into food.
While working in Europe she found herself drawn to the fashion of the cities she lived in and ended up with quite a collection.
“At the end of my travels, I realized I had way more clothes than I knew what to do with. When I was in New Zealand I was introduced to a thriving thrifting scene,” she said, this is something she is now implementing here.
“It was a huge leap of faith but I am very pleased with how the city has reacted to it,” she said.
Hounsfield invites those with preloved items to join in. She has strict criteria for preloved items making sure that the clothes are well cared for, not stained and not torn.
Vendors range from thrift store owners to private sellers with an option to rent a rail on the day which is worked out on a commission basis.
The event is not only limited to clothes with Oh So Georgie supplying delicious food and other vendors on site for other fashion items such as belts, shoes and bags.
To take part in the event contact hello@ohsogeorgie.co.za
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