Need to unload all of those unused luxury goods taking up space in your tiny NYC closet? Or, perhaps you’re looking for that perfect little Chanel bag at just the right price to take up an remaining available inches in your already-overstuffed wardrobe. Good news: You can do both at Vestiaire Collective. The Parisian-born, secondhand luxury site has landed stateside, with new offices in NYC’s Chelsea. To celebrate, the brand is launching a special sale called StyleCycle where 50 fashion insiders from Cara and Poppy Delevingne to Caroline de Maigret and Helena Christensen will be selling pieces from their closet, with proceeds to be donated to charities of their choosing. And yes, Kim Kardashian will be selling her wares too (good news for those who aren’t quite a model size 0). The sale starts today and runs through November 14th. We caught up with co-founder Fanny Moizant to get the full rundown…
How did you get such an A-list group to donate their wardrobes?
We wanted to curate a group of high-profile style insiders from all over the globe that play different roles in the fashion industry, whether it be as a muse, celebrity, stylist, editor, model or designer, but who were all recognized for their sense of style. Each one was happy to be a part of the campaign supporting sustainability in fashion and the charity of their choice.
Which charities did each celeb choose?
Kim Kardashian West donated a black Balenciaga dress, with proceeds are going to Dream Foundation; Cara Delevingne donated a camo Mulberry Cara bag, with proceeds going to Starlight, and Rachel Zoe donated a houndstooth jacket from her collection, with proceeds going to Save the Children.
Will StyleCycle be an ongoing sale for Vestiaire?
The StyleCycle auction will end November 14th. Every year, we do a large VIP initiative with a slight change. Be on the lookout for 2015!
There are tons of other secondhand dealers on the web. How will this site be different?
Vestiaire Collective has a unique DNA that mixes curation, quality control, and a strong and engaged community. Our global community of more than 2.5 million members provide a large and amazing international inventory (150,000 items from 2,000 brands). Being able to shop directly in the wardrobe of a U.K., French, Scandinavian or Italian woman makes a huge difference compared to the existing resale sites currently in the U.S. Since the company was born in France, we provide a French touch: it’s this je ne sais quoi that all the world envies, especially when it comes to fashion.
Do you think American women will shop secondhand clothing differently than French women?
No, I think it’s the same in every country. The premise and founding principal is trust. Once the customer trusts the person or platform they are buying from, second-hand is just as easy but with even more of a thrill. Vestiaire Collective is built on trust and we feel confident that we’re teaching women around the globe about this new way of shopping.
What are the bestselling brands in the European market?
In each country, there’s a mix of global luxury brands and local favorites. For example, in France there’s a mix with Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Christian Louboutin, paired with Maje, Sandro, and Zadig & Voltaire. In the U.K., the best-selling brands are the same for luxury, but the local U.K.-based designers also see a lot of play with brands like Stella McCartney, Erdem, Whistles, and Reiss. We anticipate this to be the same for the U.S. market; we’ve already seen some traffic to indicate that will be the case.
Do you have any tips for people wanting to sell clothes?
Carefully select the pieces that you no longer use. You have to ask yourself how many times you’ve worn that blue jacket or show-stopping heels in your closet—if the answer is 0 in the past 12 months, it’s time to let it go. If you are busy and on-the-go like most of our customers, you can use Vestiaire Collective’s iPhone or iPad app to shoot and upload items you want to sell. In a few minutes, you’re done! The curation team then sees if it is a fit for the site. You want your images to be appealing and true to the items. It’s also important to show off as many of the details as you can in your images. When assigning your price, ask yourself how much a buyer would be willing to spend on your item.
What were you doing before you started Vestiare?
Before Vestiaire Collective, I worked for John Galliano. I also worked in marketing in the home industry. I received a degree in fashion from L’institut de la Mode. Fashion was always what I wanted to do, so when the opportunity arose to start Vestiaire Collective, it was the perfect combination of all of my professional and personal interests.
What’s your favorite vintage piece in your own closet?
A beautiful Chanel bag—bought on Vestiaire Collective, of course! As well as some incredible Alaïa pieces from my mum.
Are you always tempted to go shopping on your own website?
Definitely, it’s an addiction! I scroll throw several times a day through the novelties and am always hunting for something. Right now, I have my eye on a pair of Céline brogues from last season.
