Yves Saint Laurent once said: “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” And that’s just one of the mantra’s that will spring to mind when you enter Hunter Gatherer, Pakington Street’s best-kept secret.
Tucked away in Geelong’s centre of cosmopolitan lifestyle and multiculturalism (and one of the most iconic second-hand vintage shopping hubs along the Bellarine), this volunteer-run recycled vintage and contemporary fashion store has made finding that perfect vintage gem simple since opening in April last year.
Run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence – a community organisation that works across Australia to prevent and alleviate poverty – Hunter Gatherer has been an icon in the second-hand fashion scene for more then a decade now, with three locations across Fitzroy, Melbourne’s Royal Arcade and Pakington Street Geelong West, paying homage to popular culture past and present.
Surprisingly spacious, in-store you’ll find a carefully curated collection of all things interesting, from traditional vintage items to retro inspired pieces and contemporary on-trend men’s and women’s fashion and accessories.
“The range of recycled fashion at Hunter Gatherer is handpicked specifically for the store, offering a very different variety of brands all chosen through a vintage, retro and on-trend lens – which is a really different proposition to traditional op shops,” says Carys Whitfield, Area Manager, from the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Essentially, this means that while the Hunter Gatherer team are quite specific in what they stock (thanks to the generous donations every week), they offer an eclectic, well-priced range that will have you looking great at the fraction of the price your outfit would cost new – especially with medium to high end fashion brands and vintage pieces from the likes of Moschino to Karl Lagerfeld, vintage Adidas and Stella McCartney.
And while reviving the retro styles of eras past never gets old and straying away from the mass-produced items in clothing chains is always a plus, shopping at a boutique-like Hunter Gatherer also helps the environment by reusing pre-loved fashion and contributing to great causes that assist the community.
“Sustainability, ethical retailing and community is really at the heart of what we do as a social enterprise of The Brotherhood of St Laurence and all of our profits are funnelled back into the organisation to help fund a range of life-changing community programs.
“Our volunteers and community are at the heart of our daily business. We don’t purchase stock, everything is donated, which means we’re helping to extend the life of goods, and challenge the single-use-mindset toward a more sustainable future.
“At The Brotherhood of St Laurence, we are really working for an Australia free of poverty, helping to build better lives across the community.”
It’s no secret that vintage clothing is, quite literally, nothing new. Fashion royalty continually prove it’s a cool way to go, and it’s one of the best ways to find an outfit you can bet nobody else will own, with the non-Prada price tags.
“The clothing and accessories you’ll find at Hunter Gatherer are great quality, and continue to stand the test of time. Some of the most thrilling vintage finds and iconic labels are the pieces that have cycled back into current fashion trends. Recycled fashion is more than simply buying second hand, it’s the thrill of finding something that can be altered or adjusted to perfection. It’s bringing vintage and retro back to life, enjoying a sense of nostalgia, and shopping sustainably by giving pre-loved clothing another lease on life!”
We recommend dedicating an hour or so to search every rail and crevice in the store – it’s home to hidden gems galore.
Hunter Gatherer is located in the Pakington Arcade at Shop 2/129 Pakington Street, Geelong West, and is open from 9.30am-5.00pm Monday to Saturday.
Check out their Insta @huntergatherer_geelong
