Q&A with Leeyong, 2025 Vintage Clothing Sale Ambassador

Q: What sparked your love for vintage fashion, and how did you first get started collecting pieces?

A: I remember reading Dolly magazine when I was a teenager and obsessively reading the styling credits; seeing op shop and vintage pieces mentioned in some of the fashion stories made me realise that wearing second-hand clothing was cool! Apart from starting to visit op shops, there used to be a stall at the Dandenong Market with a huge trestle table covered in second-hand clothes and I started rummaging through them whenever I went to the market with my dad, finding things for as little as $1. Back then, I wasn’t looking for vintage as such, just things that I thought were cool and that I could alter to suit me. I bought two second-hand cardigans from the market and added fake fur to the collar and cuffs of one and nipped in the waist of the other (both were staples of my uni wardrobe), so that was probably where things started for me.  

Then when I lived in Tokyo, I went to flea markets all the time and stocked up on countless vintage kimono, accessories and fashion for tiny prices. Looking for vintage fashion is such a fun pastime wherever you are in the world! I enjoy thinking about the stories and craftsmanship in vintage garments and learning about vintage labels, fabric and so on when I stumble on an unfamiliar brand. 

Q: Why is sustainability a large factor in your passion for vintage fashion?

A: It’s hard to give a short answer to this as it’s multi-faceted. So many garments end up being disposed of these days, whether in landfill or shipped off overseas to sell in huge second-hand markets (apparently up to 15 million pieces of used clothing were arriving each week at the Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana, before a massive fire tore through it at the start of January this year).  

The fast fashion cycle is to blame: companies pump out so many cheap clothes, consumers demand insanely low prices and as a result there is less respect for quality fabrics and construction. I’m not saying that every piece of vintage clothing is well made, but many vintage items are a much better quality than what is around now because until relatively recently (around the 1990s?) clothing was made to last rather than be worn once and thrown out. I prefer shopping and wearing second-hand clothing most of the time because it’s making use of an existing resource, but also vintage items are often a lot more interesting and cheaper than comparable contemporary designs.  

Q: Can you share how you upcycle old items into new pieces?

A: It depends on the item. Sometimes it’s a matter of adding material to a shirt or mini-length dress to lengthen it, sometimes I’ll add a ruffle or frill to change the silhouette (and maybe disguise a flaw such as a stain or wonky seam line), and I might have to add darts or extra seams if the item is too big for me. Other times, rather than adding to the garment, it’s about taking away: I bought a dress with a great print but it also had pink organza ribbons and flowers decorating it which weren’t to my taste, so I removed those!  

It also depends on the quality of the piece – if I love the fabric but there are lots of stains or holes then I might unpick the whole thing and cut new pattern pieces out of the material that’s still usable. Part of the fun of upcycling is the challenge that each individual garment presents, as no two pieces are exactly the same. 

Q: Can you share a memorable story or special find from your vintage shopping adventures? Have you purchased anything from the National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale?

A: I found a fabulous 1970s  tweed coat with a shearling collar and a jacket from Uzbekistan at last year’s National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale and got compliments about them all winter! A great op shop find a few years ago was a large Hmong hill tribe textile piece that I made into a maxi skirt; there is so much handwork in it – batik motifs, applique and embroidery – and it was only $2. I also found a patchwork wool skirt by Donald Davies of Dublin for David Jones at an op shop and had fun researching about him as I had never heard of that label. And reading about the union battles Judy Bond faced in 1960s USA after I found a gingham shirt from that label at an op shop was fascinating too. 

Q:  How do you incorporate vintage fashion into your modern wardrobe while keeping your style fresh and relevant?

A: Although my style continues to evolve, I’m fairly sure there are some elements that won’t change: my love of colour, pattern and traditional textiles and garments from around the world. It’s fairly unlikely that I’ll ever start showing up dressed completely in black or anything like that! Nothing really matches in my wardrobe and any vintage fashion just somehow ends up working with what’s already there because I’m all about creating interesting looks by mixing textures and prints.  

Having said that, my taste in vintage does tend to centre around the 70s, so even when I mix pieces there is a sense of cohesion in terms of the streamlined silhouette – except when I’m in the mood for puffy sleeves and full skirts! Basically there’s room for just about anything in my wardrobe; I enjoy the styling possibilities of pairing vintage silhouettes and fabrics with pieces I’ve made myself or contemporary designs. 

Ready to find your next vintage treasure?

Don’t miss the 2025 National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale, happening on 22 & 23 March at Abbotsford Convent. With racks of unique garments, accessories, and upcycled gems, it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe sustainably. Plus, every purchase supports the National Trust’s work in conserving Australia’s heritage. 

Mark your calendar and start your vintage adventure today! Learn more.