7 February 2026  How the story became publicInformation about an unusually large anonymous clothing donation first appeared in an Austrian daily newspaper. The report described thousands of designer garments from a single private wardrobe, donated for a charitable purpose. Within days, the story was picked up by several media outlets mainly read in Vienna. Notably, Volkshilfe Wien, the organisation that received the donation for a social project, did not publish an official press release about it on its website, nor was it announced via the APA-OTS press channel. Instead, details about the scale and background of the collection emerged gradually through media coverage and social media posts. According to these scattered media reports, the donation consists of between 5,000 and 6,000 fashion items, collected over decades, and dates back to the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.The pop-up and an exceptional collectionFrom 10 to 21 February, a curated selection of these pieces will be on sale at the Vintage Pop-up in Not Another Concept Store, Gumpendorfer Straße 36, Vienna. The store announced the sale on Instagram at the end of January. Not Another Concept Store is run by Elvyra Geyer and Zigi Mueller-Matyas, the co-founders of Vienna Fashion Week. The store is renowned in Vienna for its designer archive sales. These usually feature Austrian designers or labels that have been showcased at Vienna Fashion Week. This pop-up, however, stands apart. According to media information, around one third of the collection consists of pieces by Jil Sander. Other names mentioned include Prada, Chanel, Dior from the John Galliano era, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Versace and Fendi. The best-known Austrian designer in the wardrobe is Helmut Lang. The anonymous donor reportedly collected these items over many years in international luxury boutiques. Some garments still carry their original price tags. Sizes are limited: clothing mainly in Small to Medium, shoes mostly in sizes 38 and 39. Accessories such as bags, belts, scarves and hats expand the offer beyond clothing.Value, estimates and a social goalBased on original boutique prices, the collection may once have represented a retail value well into the high six-figure range, possibly exceeding one million euros over time. Sold today as designer vintage, prices are expected to range roughly between 40 and 2,000 euros per item. Conservative estimates suggest that the sale could generate several hundred thousand euros for Volkshilfe Wien. The proceeds support the organisation's TAV programme (Training, Arbeit, Vermittlung). Volkshilfe is one of Austria's major social organisations, active in poverty reduction, childcare, education, care services, refugee support and social inclusion. TAV is part of its labour market initiatives and offers temporary, AMS-supported jobs for long-term unemployed people, many of them over the age of 50. This focus has gained urgency. In recent months, unemployment figures in Vienna have risen, particularly among people aged 50 and over. Many are affected by layoffs or the non-renewal of fixed-term contracts, while a difficult economic climate has made re-entry into the labour market more challenging. Against this backdrop, programmes like TAV aim to stabilise employment paths through practical work experience, training and social support, with the goal of reintegration into the regular labour market rather than permanent employment within Volkshilfe itself.Designer vintage and the question of consumptionThe pop-up offers access to high-end fashion history that would usually be out of reach, while funding concrete social work. It connects luxury consumption with labour market integration and reuse. Between desire and responsibility, this event shows consumption from a different angle — one that may feel comfortable, yet quietly invites reflection.Image: An AI-generated visualizer showcasing a chic wardrobe on a metal rack. The collection includes various garments all hanging against a white background. © Fashion.at / Generated with Google Imagen 4 |