Meet The Sellers: Sustainability Edition
As Sustainability Month comes to a close, we’ve asked some of the fashion activists in our community a few questions, not only about their stores and their tricks to selling items well, but also about incorporating sustainable thinking into their wardrobes, listings, and lives.
Mie
Creative Director and founder of the design studio Femmes Régionales, Mie lives in Copenhagen with her son and boyfriend, and has been a Vestiaire Collective member since 2016. In tune with the Danish capital’s eco-friendly vibes, she’s been on a mission to live more sustainable, and wants us to stop thinking about clothes in the same way we think about single-use plastics.
What’s your secret to a perfect listing on Vestiaire Collective?
My tip for the perfect listing is to think about all the things that could be interesting to know for a potential buyer- spend the time measuring, describing and getting everything on the listing to begin with - this will save you time in the other end.
Do you have any photography tips?
Consider what kind of photo works for what type of item - most trousers and skirts work better lying flat than on a hanger. And some items like blazers or coats always look better on a 'fuller' coathangers. Also take plenty of images and make sure that any flaws are well documented.
Which 4 sustainable fashion figures would you invite for dinner and why?
Li Edelkort, Greta Thunberg, Elizabeth L Cline, and Martin Margiela (I think he would have a lot to say).
Who’s your favourite sustainable designer and why?
I really think the most important thing to look at when talking about sustainability in fashion is quality. I don't necessarily look just at sustainable brands but brands that create thoughtful collections with few items that can last across seasons. There is a Danish knitwear brand called Andersen-Andersen that I’m obsessed with; they make the best sweaters! You really only need one and it will last you a lifetime. I also want to mention Toteme. I like their take on a minimalist wardrobe, it feels timeless yet new.
How do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
My sustainable journey has been about several things. Overall, it’s trying to live a simpler life and taking more responsibility for the world I live in, and will ultimately leave for my son. We never buy new unless we have to, we repair and renew at every chance. We’ve eliminated all single-use items from our home, and we shop ecologically too. It takes a bit of thought, but once you start it’s easy..
Antonio
A resident of Malaga for nearly 20 years, fashion industry insider Antonio has been buying vintage since he was a teenager growing up in the city of Soria. After 3 years of selling with us, he’s carefully honed his skills, listing his items at the right time of year and gradually improving his photography. Now he’s finding a better balance in his wardrobe between new and vintage items. But how did he do it?
What’s your secret to a perfect listing on Vestiaire Collective?
Always include the measurements! When you’re dealing with vintage garments, the stated sizes often don’t match up to actual sizes and may vary a lot. There’s also variations between brands, so it’s just something to be aware of.
How would you describe the way you consume fashion?
Sustainability is not just a way of consuming, it’s also a way of life. I love flea markets, but with most of my items I know the previous owners and I also like to know the story behind the item, like what year it was made and so on. It is like a treasure hunt!
Who is your favourite sustainable designer and why?
I love Miguel Adrover’s ideas, early Margiela pieces, and I can’t miss out the first 100% ecological collection in fashion from Franco Moschino in 1994. I also really like Marine Serre’s approach to recycled items too. I’m much more interested in designers who use existing materials, rather than the ones who use recycled fabrics, following the rules of reduce, reuse and then recycle.
How do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
I try to be sustainable not just in fashion, but in everything I might need in my daily life. I always check first to see if a second-hand item will work, or if an item can be repaired. Probably 90% of my belongings are reused items, including my furniture, car and of course books!
What does your dream "sustainable fashion wardrobe" look like?
When I was a student I didn’t have the money to buy a Versace shirt, so I made something similar with 3 old scarves! When I think about sustainability, it’s not just reusing existing clothes, also giving them a new life, meaning that neither the fashion system and nor creativity have to stop.
Jeanne
Jeanne runs an online consignment business in France and has been a full-time reseller for over 16 years. She joined Vestiaire Collective in 2017 and started selling on a weekly basis last year, always adding a tag line or a comment to her listings, or a reference to a song, book, fashion trivia or personal tidbit about herself. It was her attempt to stand out from the crowd. And it worked!
What’s your secret to a perfect listing on Vestiaire Collective?
Include lots of details, measure everything, sizes vary and you don't want your potential buyers disappointed. Always include photos of the label, as these can help buyers identify the collection for certain pieces, as well as detailed photographs of fabrics and any imperfections. You have a few seconds to make a great impression so don't lose a potential buyer by not spending the time to create a professional listing.
Why are you into sustainable fashion?
As a reseller I believe that every piece deserves a second life and Vestiaire Collective is a great platform to provide that for so many styles, price points and designers.
Which 4 sustainable fashion figures would you invite for dinner and why
Martin Margiela, Rei Kawakubo, Junya Wantanbe, Stella McCartney. I respect and admire their creativity, commitment to the environment and their genius minds.
How do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
During the confinement I cleared out my storage and started a creating "art" (I'm not an artist, I just wanted to decompress, I've been told that I work too much!) using found objects: coins, old newspapers magazines etc. If I manage to sell my creations at local flea markets I'll be surprised and happy and if not they'll go to charity. I don't believe in hoarding objects or clothing but rather passing the memories and experiences of these items from one person to another.
What does your dream "sustainable fashion wardrobe" look like?
The vintage scarf dress by Comme des Garcons and everything else from Martin Margiela. When I do finally get back to the gym, I'll be wearing Stella McCartney. Basically, my dream wardrobe is a mix of reconstructed and original, the kind of pieces that when you wear them, strangers stop you on the street and ask you where you got it. A wardrobe that will travel through time and have many owners over the years.
Neil
Neil’s story is typical: he came to Vestiaire Collective when he was cleaning out his apartment. He’d noticed that he wasn’t using some of the stuff he had in his wardrobe, and didn’t want it to go to waste so we provided the opportunity to give it a great home. And since then he’s gone on to try to include the idea of sustainability in everything he does.
What’s your secret to a perfect listing on Vestiaire Collective?
For sure the pictures. You have to find the right spot to get great shots. The lighting is crucial: morning light is my favorite one, it gives to my item a dreamy atmosphere.
What do you do to make your items stand out?
I am honest in the descriptions and I give tips to buyers. My goal is not to sell at the highest price, but to sell to people that will love my items. If a buyer contacts me saying he is interested in something, a take a step towards him. I wanna be sure my items will be in good hands. And so far i have never experienced a return!
How do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
In all the little things to be fair: I switch off the water when I clean my teeth, I do the recycling, I shop for groceries in open-air markets and prefer local products. It is really hard sometimes; our society makes it easier to pollute rather than being sustainable.
Who is your favourite sustainable designer and why?
I appreciate the work of Stella McCartney because she was one of the first to introduce eco-friendly fashion and to support a sustainable wardrobe alternative. We can define hers a luxury brand, and sustainability was a bit of a taboo in the world of luxury before her.
What does your dream "sustainable fashion wardrobe" look like?
My dream sustainable fashion wardrobe is full of items that would pass the "30 wears" challenge. Iconic and basic items are a must in my wardrobe, but the right mix-and-match solution can easily be found on Vestiaire Collective 🙂
Lucie
A creative consultant working with small brands and businesses on building their brand identity and incorporating more innovation, Lucie is currently based between Prague and Lisbon. After a year of being a seller, her love for Vestiaire is “growing by the minute” and she says she’s “low-key obsessed with buying and selling on here.” Let’s find out some more.
What’s your secret to a perfect listing on Vestiaire Collective?
Apart from unique vintage items that are almost one-of-a-kind buys I think the secret is to capture the item well to reflect its beauty and give the item justice. I love birds eye view with great day-light lighting.
I also try to style the items when taking their photos - folding them in certain ways or pinching a shirt at the waist to compliment the item thus then becoming more eye-catching for the buyer.
Why are you into sustainable fashion ?
I think we have so many incredible brands in this world but that area is becoming oversaturated. I love upcycling clothing as part of sustainable fashion - its not fast-fashion, its something unique, with a story and soul. I also like brands that are honest and transparent with their processes.
Which 4 sustainable fashion figures would you invite for dinner and why?
I would invite the influencer Sjana Elise, she's an advocate for the wellbeing of our planet and our minds. I’d add Carrie Peterson, the founder of a vintage store in NY called Beacon's Closet which to me is the best curated vintage store ever. Third, Lisa Buhler, the founder of Lisa Says Gah, because she created a platform brings together designers with an anti-fast fashion ethos. And finally the influencer Matilda Djerf because she has a fantastic sense for fashion and she’s environmentally conscious with her decisions.
Favourite sustainable designer and why?
Yael Aflalo from Reformation because she’s humble and has tackled a problem she has foreseen head-on. The brand is seamless, effortless and beautiful in all ways, while still being sustainable.
How do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
I actually made this rule for myself where I'm not allowed to go into fast-fashion stores unless its to buy essentials like socks or underwear. Everything else from jeans to bags to dresses I buy from vintage stores or Vestiaire Collective and I have it resized to fit perfectly if there are any minor alterations to make. In everyday life I try to support small-scale farmers, small businesses and entrepreneurs that have an ecological ethos and sustainable products.