eBay debuts first pre-loved fashion runaway at LFW and NYFW
Online marketplace eBay hosted its 'Pre-Loved Fashion Week' in London recently in collaboration with the British Fashion Council (BFC), spotlighting the marketplace's vast and diverse fashion treasure trove.
The partnership with BFC also comes in tandem with its tie-up with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to host live, shoppable runway shows in London and New York prior to the major Fashion Week events in both cities.
Called "The Endless Runway" this runway was more than just a show; it's a statement on elevating circular fashion and linking thrifting with high-end luxury in a way the fashion world can't ignore.
Curated by eBay’s pre-loved style director Amy Bannerman and co-hosted by the stunning model and presenter Leomie Anderson, The Endless Runway featured past collections and archival gems from fashion royalty like Christopher Kane and Molly Goddard, Off-White, Simone Rocha and Khaite.
“eBay is the first brand to show up at fashion week with an entirely pre-owned offering on the main schedule, which feels like the perfect way to mark 40 years of London Fashion Week,” Anderson shared.
“Being able to shop pre-loved and vintage items on eBay has been crucial to developing my style over the years.”
Prior to this, eBay brought the same energy to New York Fashion Week (NYFW), debuting The Endless Runway on Sept 6.
Hosted by fashion writer Liana Satenstein, the runway featured iconic pre-owned designer pieces from brands like Toteme, Brandon Maxwell, Off-White, and Ralph Lauren.
Council of Fashion Designers America (CFD) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steven Kolb said: “eBay Pre-Loved Fashion Week connects the past, present, and future - delivering a powerful reminder that the future of fashion is circular.”
The NYFW Endless Runway also marked another milestone, being the first-ever pre-loved runway for the event, with fashion creative Wisdom Kaye curating the looks.
“Working with eBay to bring The Endless Runway to life has been so creatively rewarding,” Kaye said in a media report.
"Choosing pre-loved gives me limitless possibilities—plus, it’s the most sustainable way to own designer items you love but think are unattainable."
The timing couldn’t be better. In 2023, nearly $50 billion of secondhand luxury goods were snapped up globally, driven largely by Gen Z buyers.
The appetite for pre-owned items is skyrocketing, with circular fashion initiatives gaining momentum in response to this shift.
An Instagram post by @environment, a UK-based organization advocating for sustainability, highlighted the benefits of buying secondhand, noting how it reduces the demand for new products and lowers the environmental impact of manufacturing.
It’s no surprise, then, that pre-loved and refurbished items now make up about 40 per cent of eBay’s total merchandise volume. And with over 1,000 searches for "vintage" per minute globally on eBay in June alone, the platform is more relevant than ever.
Kirsty Keoghan, eBay’s global fashion general manager, is proud of the company’s role in promoting sustainable fashion: “With Pre-Loved Fashion Week, we’re stepping onto fashion’s main stage and proving that genuine designer fashion can be accessible."
