UNLIKE GOING TO A VINTAGE STORE OR A SECONDHAND CONSIGNMENT STORE, WITH VESTIAIRE COLLECTIVE YOU CAN SHOP VINTAGE FASHION FROM LITERALLY ANYWHERE - ON THE SOFA, IN THE GARDEN, OR EVEN LOUNGING ON A BEACH. IT’S JUST A FEW CLICKS AWAY FROM BEING YOURS. FOR ME PERSONALLY I’M ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT TO FIND A VINTAGE CHANEL BAG THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK. AND BROWSING ONLINE HAS BEEN A GREAT WAY FOR ME TO TAKE PART IN ‘SECONDHAND SEPTEMBER’, A CAMPAIGN WHEREBY CONSUMERS UNDERTAKE NOT TO BUY ANY NEW CLOTHES FOR THE MONTH AND TO GIVE THE CLOTHES THEY ALREADY OWN A LONGER LIFE BY CARING FOR, REPAIRING, AND RECYCLING THEM IN A MORE CONSIDERED WAY. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, OF COURSE, THAT CONSUMING MINDFULLY CAN CONTINUE ALL YEAR ROUND! LOVELY LUXURY PIECES ARE ALWAYS WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED IN THIS CHIC ONLINE SHOP.

words and photographs by HOLLY KELSEY
creative direction HOLLY KELSEY & SARAH MARIE FRANKEN

Vestiaire Collective was a remarkable leap of imagination, created in 2009 in Paris by Fanny Moizant and Sophie Hersan, who realised that most of their friends’ closets were full of wonderful designer pieces they were no longer interested in wearing. At the time there was nothing in existence that contained the fashion curation and trust element that they were looking for as customers. Moizant and Hersan started the platform with 3,000 pieces that were all sourced from their friends’ wardrobes in Paris.

Luxury group Kering’s investment in Vestiaire Collective in March 2021 is a vindication of their original vision and a clear sign that the secondhand market is of increasing importance for the industry. On the the 9th of September 2021, it was officially announced that Vestiaire Collective had achieved a B-Corp status. Certified B Corporations need to effectively balance profit with tangible positive treatment of people and the planet affected by their business. It represents a holistic embrace of corporate good, and that’s why it is the gold standard of socially and environmentally responsible business. This is a really big shift in changing the fashion industry and it shows that secondhand fashion is a step in the right direction and represents a beacon for the slow fashion movement.

For me, buying secondhand is even more meaningful than buying something new - it has a story. I find the product has something special about it - when you’ve really dug, delved, and unearthed something wonderful you feel so content walking around with this little treasure you’ve personally curated.

Buying secondhand gives us the opportunity to consume fashion in a more mindful, conscious way, buying less but better quality pieces that are a good investment and ‘stand the test of time’. It gives a second life to the clothes we no longer wear and gives someone else the chance to treasure it.

The benefits for the planet are one of the main reasons I love buying this way, since it so clearly reduces the damaging pollution and use of limited resources that are inevitably associated with producing new clothing.

How to sell?

When you sell any product a fee is applied to every purchase. Depending on the item you’re selling, Vestiaire will take a fee between 15-25% according to the price of the item. When you list an item it’s reviewed before being published. Every item is physically checked and authenticated by a dedicated quality control team. There’s even a holiday mode for when you’re away, which means that your item will still appear but is not available to buyers until you return. In addition to selling digitally you can also take things in person by appointment to Vestiaire Collective at Galeries Lafayette. It originally started as a pop-up Consignment space in the Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées but because of its popularity it has become a permanent space known as the ‘concierge corner’.

How to buy?

If you’re buying, you can shop either on the website or via the app. When you make any purchase on Vestiaire Collective their rigorous authentication process ensures it’s legitimate. You also have the choice of paying in three instalments, so for the more expensive purchases it represents an easier option that makes them more accessible. What’s more, buyers and sellers have the option to negotiate on price. The level of service provided by the site is exemplary, for both buyers and sellers alike.

Which are the brands to look out for on the site?

You can find iconic pieces from renowned luxury brands, including the Kelly from Hermès, the Saddle bag from Dior or the Disc dress from Paco Rabanne. It’s worth noting that there is an impressive Ralph Lauren vintage collection on site. Vestiaire Collective stocks anything from watches to sneakers to gowns to mini skirts, as well as clothing for men and children. The options are endless.

In short, Vestiaire Collective is pioneering a responsible revolution in the fashion industry and is shifting the way we consume fashion, which is all to the good. It really gives hope for a brighter, kinder and more positive future. Whether you are on a budget or looking to go on a spending spree, Vestiaire Collective has something for everyone and looks to become a permanent feature on the fashion landscape.

vestiairecollective.com