Katie Piper, Munroe Bergdorf & Jameela Jamil: Vinted joins forces with Oxfam for its second ever star-studded LFW show

As you can probably guess, my relationship with second-hand fashion started long before Vinted was a “thing.” 

My very first journalism job (as Social Media Editor at the Evening Standard’s now defunct ES Magazine) was spent under the tenure of then Fashion Director-at-Large Bay Garnett – the legendary stylist who single-handedly put thrifting on the fashion map. 

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Bay’s ethos was always clear: pre-loved clothing isn’t just about saving money, it’s about rewriting fashion’s future. Fast forward to September 2025 and I find myself sitting front row at London Fashion Week, watching Bay’s vision come alive once again – this time in collaboration with Oxfam and Vinted for their ‘Style for Change’ runway show.

Vinted isn’t just riding the resale wave – it’s full throttle. In the UK, its growth has been explosive: from about 1 million UK users in 2020 to over 2.5 million by 2023. The wider platform now counts more than 100 million registered users globally, with roughly 18 million of those based in the UK.

The platform’s financials reflect that growth: in 2024 its revenue surged by 36%, profits more than quadrupled, and its valuation reached about €5 billion. Meanwhile UK shoppers are returning again and again – Vinted boasts over 50% repeat-sale rates among its UK cohort. It’s not just a marketplace, it’s a movement – especially for millennials looking to buy smart, shop sustainably, and stay stylish.

The show marked the official kick-off of London Fashion Week on 18 September. Hosted at Ambika P3, a brutalist art gallery that perfectly suited the theme, the event was part of Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign – an initiative encouraging people to shop pre-loved instead of new for the month. Only this wasn’t a polite nudge towards sustainability. This was a spectacle. A glamorous, celebrity-filled reminder that second-hand is not just the future of fashion – it’s the now.

The line-up was nothing short of dazzling. Musician Sam Ryder, presenter and activist Katie Piper, Paralympian Kadeena Cox, and model-activist Munroe Bergdorf all walked the runway in looks entirely styled from second-hand pieces. Actor Eunice Olumide, model Brett Staniland, and even iconic costume designer Sandy Powell CBE also joined, proving the guest list was as eclectic as the looks. Jameela Jamil – face of this year’s Second Hand September – wasn’t just in the audience; she also committed to selling pieces from her own wardrobe on Vinted to support Oxfam.

Every outfit that appeared on the catwalk is available on Oxfam’s dedicated wardrobe on Vinted from 22 September – meaning attendees didn’t just leave with photos on their iPhones, they can actually shop the runway.

“I just love the change in attitude that we’ve seen to second-hand. It’s not something that people hide anymore,” Vinted’s VP of Corporate Affairs Jessie de la Merced told the audience before the show started, “I just love it when someone asks ‘Where did you get that?’ and the response is, ‘Oh, it’s Vinted.’ It shows that there’s been a huge shift in the way people view second-hand. It can be high quality, it can be stylish, and you can be proud to wear it.”

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That’s the beauty of Vinted’s platform – its technology is giving thrifting the sleek UX it needed. As Munroe Bergdorf told The Modems backstage, “Accessory shopping on Vinted is my favourite because it can completely change what you’ve already got. You find so many rare gems on there that aren’t necessarily what you would see if you walked into a charity shop. I get quite overwhelmed in charity shops, but Vinted feels cleaner. I can search for what I want and find it a lot easier.”

This fusion of accessibility and aesthetics is what makes Vinted such a powerhouse. Yes, charity shops are noble and nostalgic, but for many digital natives, the experience needs to feel as seamless as Zara.com. Vinted isn’t yet replacing the charity shop – but it’s certainly scaling it for the 21st century.

The clothes themselves were a love letter to fashion history. Styled by Garnett, the runway moved through decades: Zoot Suits, Teddy Girls, Punk, Flower Power, and statement tees all made an appearance. It felt like watching a TikTok “history of fashion” reel, only with real-life celebrities strutting in pieces you could actually buy.

As Garnett herself summed up in an official statement, “Second-hand fashion isn’t just a trend, it’s a movement reshaping the industry for good. This show proves that choosing pre-loved isn’t just the future, it’s the now – and it’s making a real difference.”

This wasn’t just a show for show’s sake. The stats behind it are sobering. Oxfam revealed that most items of clothing in the UK are worn for less than five days, spending 1,500 days – or over 99 per cent of their lifetime – just sitting in a wardrobe. By 2050, the global garment industry is on track to produce 138 billion unworn clothes each year – that’s almost four outfits per person on the planet.

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Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, didn’t mince words in her statement to the press about the show: “Our Plan for Change is focused on ending our throwaway culture and ensuring that the 700,000 tonnes of clothes we throw away each year are worn more. United action by the Government, businesses and the public is the only way to stop fashion costing the earth. I welcome this partnership between Vinted and Oxfam.”

“At Oxfam we believe that what we wear has power. It says something about what we stand for and the world we want to live in,” said Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, “All the looks from the show will be sold on Oxfam’s Vinted wardrobe, helping to raise vital funds to help tackle poverty and inequality around the world.”

Celebrity Moments 

Sam Ryder brought his signature energy, saying: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of Oxfam’s Style for Change fashion show! Choosing sustainable fashion and buying second-hand is a great way to help protect our planet and encourage everyone to give it a go.”

Meanwhile, Paralympian Kadeena Cox admitted nerves before her LFW debut: “Put me on a race track and I’m fine, but put me on a runway at London Fashion Week and my nerves really kicked in. Thankfully I loved the second-hand outfit that had been chosen for me and as soon as I heard the music, my nerves went. Wearing pre-loved pieces feels good because it’s a simple way to make a positive statement.”

And of course, Munroe Bergdorf reminded us why her voice matters in this space: “Fashion is an incredible form of self-expression, but it also comes with a responsibility – to our planet and to each other. Choosing second-hand is a powerful way to challenge fast fashion culture.”

A Call To Action

By the time the final model walked, it was clear this was more than just another LFW spectacle. It was a cultural reset. A glamorous reminder that the future of fashion is not about seasonality, it’s about sustainability – and that apps like Vinted are making that future not only possible, but desirable.

Because yes, it’s fabulous to see Jameela Jamil auctioning off her wardrobe, but it’s even more powerful when we realise that our everyday shopping habits matter just as much. As Fallon reminded the audience: “By buying, wearing and donating second-hand you’re reducing the demand for fast fashion and the damage to our planet. Plus, by shopping with Oxfam, you’re also helping to raise vital funds to tackle poverty and inequality around the world.”

The show closed with a simple message that resonated beyond the runway: dress for the world you want. Whether that means reimagining your wardrobe with one statement thrifted piece or shopping an entire look second-hand, the power lies with us. And thanks to Vinted’s interface, that power has never been more accessible.

To browse and shop the Style for Change collection, visit Oxfam’s Vinted Wardrobe.