In Sustainable September we chat with Phoenix Style Designer Clothing owner Paige Mengers about her passion for preloved designer fashion
Q: When did you set up Phoenix Style?
I actually acquired Phoenix Style just over 7 years ago from a lady who had been running it for 20 years – Phoenix has a rich history of almost 50 years.
Q: What are the benefits of shopping preloved (for us and the planet)?
There are so many reasons why buying, wearing, collecting and selling preloved is so fantastic, and so much fun. The main reason for me is that you find a treasure that nobody else has, or something so special and luxury that you could never afford first time round, when it was new. Plus it is without doubt the most sustainable way to shop. I don’t think there any many other reasons why shopping preloved is so alluring.
Having worked in fashion all my life, I first fell in love with preloved the moment I saw the shots of Kate Moss turning up at a New York Fashion Week 2003 dinner in a pale yellow 1950s Dessès dress. It was iconic! Like so many other fashion lovers, I realised that not only was preloved designer fashion uber cool thanks to the Primrose Hill set, but the fact that you could potentially snap up a rare and desirable piece at a fraction of its original price, made it even more attractive. Since then, I’ve discovered so many more benefits to shopping, wearing and selling preloved, so if you are still trying to decide whether you should take the plunge into preloved, join our community.
Q: What are your tips for buying – and selling – luxury preloved items?
If you find something you truly love when shopping preloved GRAB IT! There are so many times I have had customers crying when they return to purchase something they saw a few days before and it’s gone! When selling items make sure that they are in pristine condition, so dry clean and if necessary mend any items you wish to sell.
Q: What’s your favourite fashion brand and era?
My favourite brand is Chanel, especially the 50’s post war era when Chanel brought out the classic tweed jacket that is STILL one of the best investment pieces in any stylish woman’s wardrobe.
Q: What’s your favourite preloved item, either in your store or in your own wardrobe?
Currently we have a £10K Rodart evening gown that we are selling for around £500 which is a treasured piece. That’s the addiction to shopping preloved, you find treasures that are so special.
Q: Do you only sell preloved at Phoenix Style?
Our stores in Wimbledon Village and in Cobham Surrey stock preloved luxury pieces, plus a selection of archive pieces from luxury brands that are either items from previous seasons that have not sold or samples that they sell onto us. We offer a curated selection of luxury pieces at a fraction of the cost in the most sustainable way.
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