As many of you know, I have a real affinity for vintage clothing and accessories. As the years have gone by, my collection has grown to be too large for my apartment, and I finally found a good place to sell it. Vestiaire, a platform for buying and selling used clothing and accessories, that specializes in vintage apparel. They have a tremendous collection on consignment from various collectors around the world, as they started a decade ago in Europe and have more recently opened up their site to the US. We all know about the Real Real, but Vestiaire has been providing this service as well, and their stylists curate a truly beautiful, chic online boutique.
How many years has VC been in business in NYC?
Vestiaire Collective was launched in Paris 10 years ago, and quickly became an international player in the fashion world. 3 years ago, Vestiaire Collective saw an amazing opportunity to bring the global community of Vestiaire buyers and sellers to the US, and the rest is history.
What was the inspiration behind the launch of Vestiaire Collective?
At Vestiaire Collective, I love that the inspiration all comes down to the simple question, “Why should so many great fashion pieces lay dead in peoples’ wardrobe?”
What do you feel differentiates you from others in your field?
Vestiaire Collective is very special. First, what does Vestiaire Collective mean? Vestiaire is the French word for wardrobe, but in a chic way. Collective means community, because at Vestiaire Collective our focus is bringing communities of fashion lovers together in a single fashion conversation. Our strong global community, with foundation in our French DNA, is something we stand for – we even say that “At Vestiaire Collective, success is a collective affair”.
Second, Vestiaire Collective was born in Paris but we have always been a company that thought beyond borders. We have a growing community of buyers and sellers across the US, Europe and Asia, and with this growing catalogue, we help people discover fashion from all around the world. My personal favorite is our amazing vintage selection that we source from around the world.
What do you feel gives you longevity in this big city with so many options?
Hands down, our elevated customer experience. In our VIP consignment service, we work very closely with our clientele, building long-term, personal relationship with each one of our clients because at the end of the day, we do what we do because of our customers, and we want to continue to grow with our customers.
How do you positively impact your clientele?
Being more manageable by helping clean and organize their space. I’m always trying to build a close relationship with my clients to better understand their needs.
I always try to be myself, I was raised in a small town in Belgium and I’m so grateful to be able to live in NYC, so I guess I bring that energy with me when I visit my clients.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I love my clients, and I love interacting with people in general. I’ve always had a passion for luxury. Working alongside fashion influencers and big fashion brands has always been a dream of mine.
What is your favorite secret NYC spot?
Not really a secret at all but Indochine is what my dreams are made of. Indochine is unique to New York City in that it has a timeless style and is one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Fashionable restaurant that has never been subject to the vagaries of fashion.
How do you benefit mamas?
By helping them get rid of things that have been in their closet for a long time. Most moms don’t have time to clean out their closets and when they get dressed in the morning and look at all the old clothes, it’s a challenge to be creative. It’s more like an emotional release when you get rid of your clothes and can give them a second life.
What is the most memorable feedback a client has given you?
I often hear that my clients appreciate my discrete professionalism.
What is the best advice anyone's ever given you? Or what is your "mantra" / words to live by?
“Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe. Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.”
As moms, the day can escape us, what is your best time-saving trick?
I’m not a mommy, but from my best friend who is a mommy to three little ones. Accept the fact that you can’t do it all and it’s totally okey to get help. Prioritize your family, everything else can wait.