Internet provides new opportunities for fashion students and enthusiasts

By CAITLIN KEENAN.

The Internet is providing the vintage and recycled fashion scene a new outlet for young designers and retailers, alongside traditional markets.

Icon of the Adelaide vintage scene and owner operator of Nadia’s House of Serendipity, Nadia Couzner said she thought online vintage worked well alongside physical stores.

“I think there’s a place for this sort of market online,” Nadia said.

“But I do think there’s nothing like toughing a piece of fabric and you can’t do that online.”

She said that’s where smaller local stores were important in the market.

“I think Adelaide just had so much, back when I started every charity shop just had so much vintage and retro,” Nadia said.

She said she thought the Internet could be a great opportunity for people to start out today.

Design student Natasha, photo courtesy of Natasha Kendal Evele

University of South Australia design student Natasha Kendal Evele said she had got experience she needed to start a boutique website from running a physical stall at the Wright Street Hotel Market.

“I have always seen potential in ‘old clothes’ and love to rescue them from second hand shops, re-vamp them, and give them new life” Natasha said.

“This inspired me to start getting my ideas, found clothes and own designs out there.”

Natasha said she had a huge amount of support from friends and family in putting her stall together.

“It’s so nice having people wanting to help me succeed in something I care so much about,” she said.

Natasha is currently running her website in conjunction with her market stall.

Someone who might enjoy Natasha’s website is vintage lover and online shopper Laura Jane Irvine.

Laura said while she loves going to op shops and markets, she mainly buys her clothes online.

“There is just a bigger range online,” Laura said.

“I like true vintage from the 50′s and you just can’t find that here in Adelaide.”

Vintage clothing store owner Nadia said people and stores now sold higher value pieces online, or to shops in larger capital cities because they would find a larger market.

“A lot of the really good gems that you find in smaller capital cities and towns disappear because of the Internet,” Nadia said.