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Raid My Wardrobe

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About

I am Rachel Prest, mother of two, eco fashionista and founder of Raid My Wardrobe.

2010 began as a way for me to refresh, recycle and reinvent my own life – to pursue my interests and balance my wardrobe, my home life and a do something I was passionate about.

I became a fan of recycling second-hand clothing during my less affluent times as a student. After finishing my degree and teaching for years – yes I started out as a primary school teacher and then moved into management of a children’s charity before becoming a mother and founding Raid My Wardrobe.

People are really surprised when they realise that I don’t have a background in fashion.  I have a passion and interest in all things sustainable and natural. I’m a greenie at heart and am passionate about all things green- eco fashion, eco styling, clean food, natural health and I love inspiring others in many ways.

Once I became a mum, my priorities about family and work life balanced changed. I needed to simplify things more. I looked in my wardrobe at my ‘work’ clothes, ‘going out’ clothes, clothes that didn’t really fit me quite right any more and I toyed with the idea of selling on eBay or other markets, but thought it would take too much time and effort for little return.

I thought “Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could just have one big hall set up, where people could sell their items and others could come to shop”.

With encouragement and support from my then husband and friends, I transformed this idea into a simple and rewarding reality. The inaugural event held in May 2010 attracted over 1000 people and so Raid My Wardrobe born.

The name and branding is all my own design, I even feature in the logo, with help from my photographer friend Ric Woods who insisted I come up with a logo that was small enough to look good on anything from a bumper sticker to a billboard.

“I wanted something that reflected the events professionalism, but also personal enough to make you stop and think, Hey, I could be a part of that!”

Raid My Wardrobe has grown to become more than a women’s preloved fashion event. It’s an institution that celebrates women of all shapes, sizes, styles and tastes. It is a melting pot of gorgeous fashion inspiration from upcycling, eco-styling, sustainable slow fashion, eco-chic, refashioning, preloved on-trend, vintage and retro.

“It is great to see so many women who wouldn’t normally shop at op shops embrace the Raid My Wardrobe concept, many women are becoming more and more environmentally conscious and socially aware of the impact of fast fashion and the fashion industry.” Buying second-hand is trendily eco-friendly too; it stops perfectly wearable clothes from wasting away as landfill.

Raid My Wardrobe is your place to refresh, recycle and reinvent your wardrobe.

  • Weekly eco-styling fashion inspiration via our newsletter, blog and social media
  • Signature Preloved Fashion Events
  • Op Shop Tours
  • Eco-Chic Fashion Events

“The idea of giving new life to preloved clothes and also passing on pieces of my own to new homes holds a very real appeal to me and I want to educate and inspire everyone to do the same.”

AS SEEN IN

Over the years we have featured in many media publications – TV, radio, newspaper, magazine, blogs most notably Channel 9 Mornings, That’s Life, mX newspaper, Newcastle Herald, ABC radio, NBN News.

To view a current, full list of online and offline publications, we’ve been featured in, click here.

 

GIVING BACK

I love to give back to the community in ways that benefit humanity, community and the environment.

Over the years we have supported Vinnies, Lifeline, Samaritans, Wesley Mission, Salvos and Red Cross with hundreds of kilos of clothing donations. Each year we conduct a Bra Drive for Uplift Project. Our sustainable eco-chic fashion event supports Fashion Revolution and we partner with The Got Your Back Sista charity each year to support women escaping domestic violence. We also have made a monthly pledge to support sustainable blog Eco Warrior Princess.

For a full current list with description and images of the numerous organisations we have supported over the years click here.

TO STAY CONNECTED!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for free eco styling tips and event date announcements straight to your inbox.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

I love to read mail and hear how I have inspired you, send me an email at info@raidmywardrobe.com.au

 

MEDIA & PRESS and COLLABORATION ENQUIRIES

I am available for interviews and speaking engagements and I’d love to hear from you!

Contact me directly at info@raidmywardrobe.com.au or via the contact page.

Signature Event

Upcoming Events

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Details Of Our Next Events

Newcastle Raid My Wardrobe, Postponed to 2022
9am VIP Entry 10am – 1pm General Entry
Club Charlestown
March 2022 TBA

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It was our birthday yesterday! 12!!! Founded in 2 It was our birthday yesterday!  12!!! Founded in 2010 we have been around for a long time and will continue to bring our events and slow fashion styling to you. Winter - time to bring our the boots and fluffy warm clothes 😊
HAPPY 2022! Wishing you all a new year full of e HAPPY 2022! 

Wishing you all a new year full of everything you're wishing for and more. May your 2022 be bright, may you move through any challenges with ease and grace and may you be open to all the opportunities, fun and adventures that come your way. We look forward to you being a part of the Raid My Wardrobe community this year. 

Thank you for continuing to support us and hang in there 🙏 the past two years. 

We don't know what 2022 holds but will keep you all in the loop. There is one thing for sure I'm so hanging to get some 'new'  loved clothes in my wardrobe that's for sure. 

Hang in there we'll be raiding wardrobes sometime soon. 

Rachel
2021 EVENT UPDATE - Thank you for your patience an 2021 EVENT UPDATE - Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time as we negated lockdown for the past few months and all the challenges (and opportunities) it has brought.

It's not easy being a small business owner at the moment during these difficult economic times especially in the events/entertainment industry where we have barely got off the ground in like 18 months. And then to try and get our head around the ever constant changes with regulations, rules, restrictions :/ 

Which brings me to our next event scheduled for October 24. With the current vibe of great uncertainty coming up in the months ahead as business begins to re-open and being so close to Christmas, I've made the difficult decision to move all Raid My Wardrobe events to 2022.

Raid My Wardrobe has always been an inclusive event and as such we wish to host an event at a time that is inclusive of everyone attending and participating without discrimination or segregation. 

All October 24 Stallholders please see separate email with regards to your refunds. 

Thank you to each and everyone one of you for your continued support, patience and understanding.

Until next year, take care of yourself and your loved ones, check in with each other and get out and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and salt water. 

Much love to you all 

Rachel x
NEW DATE & NEW VENUE SOON TO BE ANNOUCED! Thank yo NEW DATE & NEW VENUE SOON TO BE ANNOUCED! Thank you to everyone for your patience as we have navigated Covid, restrictions  on large in person events and now our venue of 10 years no longer able to accommodate us. It has been a very trying 14 months and locating another suitable and affordable venue has been extremely challenging. We believe that we are very close to securing a new venue for Raid My Wardrobe and just have to confirm a few more things. Rest assured we are coming back in some capacity one way or another and you our beautiful community will be the first to know. To get the announcement of new date and stallholder bookings straight to your inbox make sure that you are subscribed to www.raidmywardrobe.com.au/subscribe 
I look forward to seeing you all again soon and raiding your wardrobes cause my wardrobe is so in need of some beautiful new clothes. 
Much love 
Rachel Prest xo
Refashion tip #101When there's a heatwave and you' Refashion tip #101When there's a heatwave and you're off to a party and you want to wear a light comfortable loose fitting top that you don't own....you create one out of one of your scarves. 
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#raidmywardrobe #ecochic #ecofriendly #ecofashionista  #ecostyle #ecofashion #recycled #recycledfashion #preloved #prelovedfashion #secondhand #sustainable #sustainablefashion  #sustainablestyle #consciousfashion #ethicalfashion #30wears #thrifting #thrifty #opshop #opshopping #upcycled #reuse #newcastleNSW #vintage #vintagefashion #wardrobemakeover #wardrobedeclutter #recycledfashionmarketnewcastle
WHY I HAVE BEEN SO QUIET LATELY... I wanted to jum WHY I HAVE BEEN SO QUIET LATELY...
I wanted to jump in and check in with you! Firstly, apologies for not being in touch for a while. I've been very quiet lately for a number of reasons -  all of them good :) 
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I'm a very sensitive and reflective person and these past few months with all that has been unfolding in the world have been particular interesting for me and all of us really. 
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While Raid My Wardrobe has been on pause due to circumstances out of our control :( ......other doors magically opened up for me. It started slowly at first a few hours here and there, a contract to help set-up a new business, some on-going support and now after 2 months I'm totally in it - Business Manager of an brick and mortar and online indoor plant store - @lovemyplants101 with my partner. 
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If you'd told me back in February that I'd be working in the indoor plant industry I would have laughed in your face and said, 'You must have me mistaken with another'. Now as I communicate this with you I pinch myself at how truly amazing and exciting things have been for me over the past few months. 
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So, I've been quiet for good reason.....I've been sooo busy!! To go from idea to fully fledged operating shop in the space of about 4 weeks has been one exciting ride. To use all my 10 years experience from creating and operating Raid My Wardrobe in helping another with their vision and dream has been inspiring and completely fulfilling for me. I love trouble shooting and problem solving, learning new things, stretching my brain, being challenged and finding more efficient ways to do things. I also love being of service to people and surrounded by nature. Pronouncing the plant botanical names though I'm still nailing that one ;)
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Some of you I have already run into and you have recognised me in your part of the woods - East Maitland. And I have a special offer for you when you scroll down, as I'd love you to come in and say 'hi' and add some cleansing, greenery to your home.
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You might be asking - What does this mean for Raid My Wardrobe?? Continued in the comments.
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