FOCUS ON: Libby and Vanessa from The Harmonic

We started planning The Harmonic in January 2021 – literally the day Libby landed in hotel quarantine in Sydney. Vanessa had been thinking about an idea centred around circular fashion for over a year, and after just one conversation it was decided – we would make this a reality together!

Our goal was to challenge consumers to think differently – not just about which brands they buy from, but also about pre-loved fashion. We wanted to be a catalyst for change and prove that there’s no shame in buying second-hand.

Our plan was to launch predominantly with ethical labels, and Australia and New Zealand in particular are leading the way on the global stage when it comes to sustainable fashion. We wanted trans-seasonal pieces that you can wear time and time again, and we needed to take a considered approach when curating the collection.

The garments are primarily sourced from influencers who want to see their beautiful pieces re-loved, women with vast wardrobes who would like to clear out anything they don’t wear anymore, and those who are trying to adopt a more circular wardrobe.

Right from the beginning we decided it was crucial to photograph each of our garments on real women, not lifeless on a hanger. We have met with so many beautiful ladies in Byron Bay and have shot with a Pilates instructor, an entrepreneur, an artist, a student, a past model and many other wonderful women.

We were lucky enough to shoot our launch campaign in the Byron Hinterland, with the talented Claudia Smith. It was amazing to see pre-loved garments from seasons past brought back to life and treated as new again.

Our platform and first drop was ready by October 2021, and we launched with over 200 pieces from labels including Maggie Marilyn, Matteau, Bassike, Artclub, KITX, St Agni, Lucy Folk and Nagnata.

Our dream is for The Harmonic to be the go-to platform for sustainable once-loved fashion, not just here in Australia, but across the world.

But for now, we’re just going to enjoy the ride!

We were both in Byron Bay together for six months while we worked on launching The Harmonic, which was a really special time as we’ve been living apart for so long.

Vanessa: The real challenge is juggling a new business with small children. I have a one-year-little old boy, Harry, and Libby has a 3-year-old and a one-year-old, Margot and Stella. It can definitely be hectic!

Libby: I recently moved to Sydney with my family, so Vanessa and I are now working remotely. We speak about 8-10 times a day and there are lots of Zoom meetings, but it’s so much easier when I get back up to Byron and we can work together.

Thankfully, there are now so many resources out there documenting the damage the fashion industry is doing to the world around us, as well as the human toll of poor working conditions created by fast fashion. Slowly but surely, it feels like we are heading in the right direction and beginning to work harmoniously with the natural environment, rather than against it.

We hope that it will become mainstream for brands to move towards more sustainable fabrics and manufacturing. And with that, gone will be the days of fast fashion.

Shopping for once-loved pieces will become the new norm, and consumers will think twice before purchasing a brand-new item and instead prioritising trans-seasonal, high-quality pieces from ethical brands with a commitment to sustainability.

Just one pre-loved purchase saves 1kg of waste, 3,040 litres of water and 22kg of CO2 (when compared to buying new).

We believe there is such a big gap in the market for pre-loved fashion presented in a beautifully curated way, and a shopping experience that doesn’t feel ‘second-hand’.

We take a very considered approach when sourcing our collections; choosing pieces that may have sold out, were cult favourites in seasons past or simply styles that stand the test of time.

All of our pieces have been treated with care and arrive beautifully packaged and presented. We believe that circular fashion should still feel special.