The future of fashion – Taranaki woman renting out outfits for events

Alex Preston, from Stratford, has started a business called Wardrobe Collective where she is renting out dresses and outfits for special occasions.

LISA BURD/Things

Alex Preston, from Stratford, has started a enterprise referred to as Wardrobe Collective exactly where she is leasing out attire and outfits for specific situations.

A younger Taranaki lady who began using the services of out her possess garments has turned her really like of fashion and buying into a flourishing side hustle.

Previous June, Alex Preston commenced Wardrobe Collective, where folks can hire an outfit for an party.

She commenced leasing out attire she by now experienced, but has grown the assortment to about 300 clothes from dimensions 6 to 16.

“I’d been imagining about it for a couple yrs and decided to just chunk the bullet and do it,” the 26-calendar year-old said.

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“I had observed a couple corporations like this but not a great deal, so I believed there was a area in the sector, especially in the place.”

Preston is now constantly on the hunt for dresses to insert to her collection, on a regular basis seeking Trade Me, Depop, Fb Market, and Designer Garage, and hopes to expand the selection up to dimensions 22.

The price tag for employing an outfit ranges from $15 to $130.

Shoppers can take a look at Preston in Stratford to check out ahead of committing, or she can publish it out.

Her collection of outfits features over 300 pieces from size 6 to 16.

LISA BURD/Stuff

Her collection of outfits features in excess of 300 parts from size 6 to 16.

She operates New Zealand-broad and her gown selection can be viewed on line and booked in as a result of the web page calendar.

Outfits are returned the subsequent day and Preston cleans them.

“If you want it for a Saturday you would pick up on a Thursday or Friday and return on a Monday.”

It is quite a lot of admin as Preston will work entire time in accounts and admin at Interdrill Ltd, so Wardrobe Collective is just in her spare time.

Her spouse William also runs a farm, so she allows out there when she can way too.

But 1 working day Preston would like the gown rental to be her full-time career.

“Renting outfits is turning into the way of the future.

“Making top quality significant-finish garments far more sustainable and easily assessable for a lot more people today is a important incentive.”

Preston imagined the idea experienced been received very properly, despite only at any time existing in Covid occasions.

“Some months are busier than others. My girls’ functions often get cancelled or postponed, so that helps make it a little bit difficult.”

She started off the small business using some cost savings, as perfectly as support from what she calls ‘the bank of dad’, and solutions like Afterpay experienced served her to buy attire to add to her selection without the need of breaking the bank.

“My mothers and fathers have been super supportive and enable when and the place they can.

“I’m back taking washing to mum some months.”