If you’re looking for a stylish way to sell designer clothing, look no further than a consignment store. Consigning not only helps convert your fashionable wardrobe into cash but prepares you for a soft depart with your beloved pieces as goods remain property of the original owner until sold.
Sydney has a range of high-end consignment stores including Blue Spinach, The Frock Exchange and Pelle, while Melbournites can flock to Secondo or Muff Clothing. These consignment stores are heaven for those of us who hunt high-end recycled fashion like it’s going out of, well, fashion.
Most importantly, consignment stores offer customers much-needed quality relief as everything must be top-notch – nothing too old or worn out will not be accepted.
“All our products are in excellent condition,” says Jane Thompson, owner of Blue Spinach in Darlinghurst.
“We have a reputation for our high standard of quality control. Storage smell or smoke affected items don’t make it into the store.”
One of the most prominent consignment stores around, Blue Spinach started in 1996 with Jane and Mark Thompson who both had a strong background in retail and marketing. Almost 15 years later, they carry a truly impressive list of brands – Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Givenchy, Marni, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Paul Smith, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Missoni and Dries Van Noten.
“We are not strictly a ‘vintage’ store, but rather describe our store as contemporary,” Thompson says. “Generally, it’s ‘within 10 years’ on items but in the end it is all about each individual piece.”
“There are avid collectors of some labels who look for pieces from any age, and there are also really difficult pieces that may have only been purchased last season.”
Handbags – Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Chanel – tend to sell out almost immediately. “Anything Hermès, really, especially scarves,” Thompson continues.
“Our clientele is very diverse. We have savvy dressers who like to be individual and not dictated by trends,” Thompson says. “There’s also a continuing growth in ‘recycled customers’ who like shopping with us because we are recycled – and the fantastic stock we carry!” she laughs.The busiest time for receiving and selling stock for Blue Spinach is in Autumn – March through to May, while “bargain time is all the time!”
Prospective sellers “should be reasonable about pricing and trusting our judgement,” Thompson continues. “We price very carefully so as not to give away beautiful and expensive pieces. At the end of the day, it is about making both the consignor and the customer happy!”
Ready to detach yourself from that Marni dress?
Read here first!
- Realistically consider the value of your item before negotiating the price. Timeless classics are worth more than last season’s flash-in-the-pan.
- Only offer goods that are in excellent condition.
- Bring your items in cleaned and pressed – ready for immediate display.
- Keep in mind there is no sell guarantee.
Mark’s Motivation for Movember
Mark Thompson’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer 15 years ago and is currently still in remission. Mark and Jane are hoping to reach $1,000 by the end of the prostate cancer awareness month, and are very close to achieving this.
If you haven’t donated this year and would like to, please follow the link https://au.movember.com/mospace/1210496/
