Sascha Varnier

Repurposed Elegance

My design, ‘Repurposed Elegance’, is a second-hand clothing store located on Nuffield Street in Newmarket. This project aims to design a niche alternative store to oppose fast fashion within the community. The concept behind this space is about giving clothing and materials a second chance, showing that beauty and value don’t have to come from something new. I wanted this design to challenge the fast fashion mindset, the idea that something loses its worth simply because it’s been used. Every material in the store, from the copper scrolls on the windows, the distressed wallpaper to the patchwork fabric drapes inside, tells a story of transformation. They remind us that age, wear, and imperfection aren’t flaws, but rather marks of life and character. The combination of warm tones, vintage textures, and fabric details creates a sense of comfort and familiarity, aligning with the store’s sustainable and community-focused purpose. By reusing, repurposing, and celebrating imperfection, this space challenges the throwaway culture of fast fashion and offers an alternative that feels personal and authentic. Through the vintage design elements and repurposed fabrics, it encourages people to think differently about what “new” really means.