At Vestiaire Collective, we have a resale partnership with Italian luxury retailer LuisaViaRoma. On the eve of the latest expansion of this collaboration into the US, we catch up with Kate (their Editor in Chief), to find out a bit more about why the US launch is such an exciting opportunity for the American luxury consumer.
...conscious consumption and sustainability in fashion - it's a huge focus for us as a brand. One way we champion both ideas is through the filter of circular fashion. This partnership is hugely exciting for us as a brand because Vestiaire Collective is a first-class player in curating circular luxury, so they make for the perfect partners as we endeavor to push the idea of sustainability to the forefront, at scale.
I’m a child of the '90s so I'm drawn to the clean minimalism of Calvin Klein, Kate Moss x Mario Sorrenti, and everything about George Michael’s 'Freedom' video. I also love the irreverence of that time, reflected in trends like grunge for example. My experience as a fashion editor has taught me that good design never goes out of style, so invest in pieces with great craftsmanship and an enduring design ethos.
...then seek out a model that uses a brand's heritage craftsmanship techniques, for example Bottega Veneta's intrecciato weave, or the classic lady bags silhouettes from Balenciaga. Ideally you'll find one that uses this approach but is reimagined in a slightly bolder way. This could be a more modern construction or a fresh approach to texture. The key is to look for a piece that blends great design with the value of timeless construction.
..."you wear the clothes, so make sure they don’t wear you". I always think you have to be comfortable in what you’re wearing, otherwise it will never look (or feel) good. At the end of the day, fashion is emotion - it’s about feeling good! When it comes to my style advice, I always say invest in well-constructed classics because it'll pay you dividends in the long run.