#SECONDHANDSEPTEMBER INTERVIEW - NIKI BEZZANT
What started your passion for shopping secondhand?
I come from a long line of avid op shoppers. It's a point of pride in my family to show off something great you got for next to nothing at an op shop.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
I guess it's just that: you never know what treasure you're going to unearth.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I'm always on the lookout for true vintage - 70s or earlier. (I am not on board with stuff from the 90s being called vintage). I also love to scour the homewares - Crown Lynn and Poole are favourites, along with bone-handled cutlery.
What's your best ever secondhand score?
A Christian Dior El-Jay 60s coat on TradeMe for $27. It's now part of the New Zealand Fashion Museum collection.
I come from a long line of avid op shoppers. It's a point of pride in my family to show off something great you got for next to nothing at an op shop.
What do you love about heading off on a treasure hunting mission?
I guess it's just that: you never know what treasure you're going to unearth.
What are some of your favourite pieces that you love discovering when secondhand shopping?
I'm always on the lookout for true vintage - 70s or earlier. (I am not on board with stuff from the 90s being called vintage). I also love to scour the homewares - Crown Lynn and Poole are favourites, along with bone-handled cutlery.
What's your best ever secondhand score?
A Christian Dior El-Jay 60s coat on TradeMe for $27. It's now part of the New Zealand Fashion Museum collection.
What are your top three tips for shopping secondhand?
1. Ignore sizes on labels - sizes in the past were way different from today. Know your measurements and shop to that.
2. Always check the sewing patterns and fabric
3. Be prepared to rummage with no expectations.
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
There was a beautiful salmon pink 60s gown and cape in a secondhand shop in Rotorua several years ago. I should have bought it, and now the shop and gown are gone forever.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
There's hardly any really good vintage any more. There's a lot of stuff that was cheap and poor-quality to start with (fast fashion has a lot to answer for). These days I prefer to shop in quality second hand stores where things are curated. Also: the sewing pattern supply seems to be dwindling! This is very sad.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
There's an enclave of op shops at Wairau Park on the Auckland's North Shore that's always worth a trawl. Handy to the Korean grocery, too.
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
They're unique. They're sustainable. Buying them means giving a new life to a garment that's already lived, and wearing them means you never have to look like everybody else.
1. Ignore sizes on labels - sizes in the past were way different from today. Know your measurements and shop to that.
2. Always check the sewing patterns and fabric
3. Be prepared to rummage with no expectations.
What's the one item that got away? The one you missed out on that's haunted you ever since!
There was a beautiful salmon pink 60s gown and cape in a secondhand shop in Rotorua several years ago. I should have bought it, and now the shop and gown are gone forever.
What changes have you seen in stores and stock over your time as a secondhand shopper and what kind of secondhand store would you love to see in the future?
There's hardly any really good vintage any more. There's a lot of stuff that was cheap and poor-quality to start with (fast fashion has a lot to answer for). These days I prefer to shop in quality second hand stores where things are curated. Also: the sewing pattern supply seems to be dwindling! This is very sad.
Would you be willing to share some of your favourite secondhand spots?
There's an enclave of op shops at Wairau Park on the Auckland's North Shore that's always worth a trawl. Handy to the Korean grocery, too.
What appeals to you about secondhand rather than new goods?
They're unique. They're sustainable. Buying them means giving a new life to a garment that's already lived, and wearing them means you never have to look like everybody else.
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Overconsumption and mass production of new goods is a huge global issue, resulting in overflowing landfills, environmental degradation and modern slavery. Shopping secondhand is welcome alternative to this 'buy brand new then throwaway' culture, what are your thoughts on this issue?
100% agree. I sew, as well, so I can't go into a fast fashion store and look at the clothes without the knowledge of how much work goes into making a garment, and that if it's being sold for $29, someone, somewhere along the line is paying a price.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
As per the above - why would you want to look like everyone else?
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
Buying secondhand is not an excuse to shop indiscriminately. Be as discerning in a second hand shop as you would be in a regular one; only buy things you truly love.
100% agree. I sew, as well, so I can't go into a fast fashion store and look at the clothes without the knowledge of how much work goes into making a garment, and that if it's being sold for $29, someone, somewhere along the line is paying a price.
Unfortunately prices of new goods are now so low, they're often cheaper that secondhand. Why is it better for people invest in vintage/secondhand rather than buying new?
As per the above - why would you want to look like everyone else?
Any other wisdom or words of advice that you'd like to share with people during #secondhandseptember
Buying secondhand is not an excuse to shop indiscriminately. Be as discerning in a second hand shop as you would be in a regular one; only buy things you truly love.
Niki Bezzant is an award-winning writer, journalist & speaker and is an ambassador for Garden to Table. She enjoys sewing and vintage and sustainable fashion, and is a supporter and occasional volunteer for the New Zealand Fashion Museum.
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
Keen to find your own vintage treasure? CLICK HERE to order a pre-sale copy of Collector's Anonymous, your handy glovebox sized guide that lists over 1500 antique, secondhand and charity stores around Aotearoa!
