Today, fashion is moving more rapidly than ever. We live in a special era in which opportunities to change the fashion industry are countless. That doesn’t come as a total surprise, since change is needed tremendously. Besides the industry-changes that need to be made, there are many things you can do yourself. In this series, therefore, we guide you through the most common ways to buy more thoughtfully, sustainably and ethically. After all, your search for sustainable fashion should be fun. Let’s kick-ff with a not so new phenomenon: rental.
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Sustainable fashion
Sustainable fashion has become more than the next hype. Big retailers, high fashion labels and many customers have reached the point on which they acknowledge the huge influence of the fashion industry on our planet.
More and more sustainable concepts pop-up. Take Ikigai Labels, for example: a melting pot of sustainable brands of all kind. You’ll find fancy made to order items, as well as more accessible garments (for every budget). We recently interviewed Helene Oudman, the creative mind behind this concept. According to her, “there’s a lot to win in the fashion industry.”
However, fast fashion companies still offer low priced items while keeping up with the latest trends. Zara adds new items every week and adidas’s NEO line is designed, produced and delivered to stores within only one month. These types of actions are typical for the industry.
Therefore it’s about time to be more aware of your own shopping behavior. Let us guide you through it.
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Fashion rentals
It’s quite a statement, but we’re going to make it anyway: fashion rental is the new black. Since clothes that sit in the back of our wardrobe don’t add any value to our lives, fashion or designer rentals offer a solution for many of us.
Hence, designer rental services are probably clogging up your social medial feeds. Free trials and discounted memberships should lower the threshold. While these offers may feel a bit overwhelming, their foundation might form the future of the fashion industry.
With the current problems the world faces, the fashion industry can’t longer deny its stake. Wearing either clothes you have for the rest of your life or investing in an ethically created wardrobe will do the trick as well, but isn’t that much fun. So, if you want to be on trend without having to donate a kidney or shop at fast fashion retailers, consider renting. View it as a “one-night-stand” with a dress and you actually make it fun.
Therefore, if tracksuits aren’t your aesthetic, then take a look at the worldwide fashion rentals below.
1. The Collectives Amsterdam
This Amsterdam-based designer rental has a focus on the daily attire (though with a fancy touch), as well as on its more glamorous counterparts. Think of a studded Gucci bag, glittering Jimmy Choo ankle boots and golden Celine sandals, but also a Balmain x H&M blazer, Ganni pumps and a Max Mara coat. Every piece is hand-picked by the female owner, who has a deep love for fashion herself. Her device? “Don’t add to the pile, start renting!” We couldn’t agree more.
Designer brands: Maje, Ganni, Chanel, Gucci, Max Mara, Balmain, Isabel Marant, Burberry, Wandler, Hermes and many others.
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2. Rent the Runway
Rent the Runway is one of the most renowned designer fashion rentals in the US. Go there for occasion-specific rentals. Expect a wide selection of designer dresses and accessories. Whether you have an upcoming job interview, wedding or just want to smash your daily life, Rent the Runway has everything you can imagine and more.
Designer brands: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Oscar de la Renta, Opening Ceremony, Gucci, Iro, Khaite, Mansur Gavriel, Y-3, Yusefi and many more.
3. Style Lend
Style Lend is a special one on this list. Style Lend enables members to rent designer items from other members’ closets. When having a hard time deciding which Louis Vuitton bag you’d like to add to your stash or how that iconic Chanel suit looks on you: at Style Lend you’re at the right place, without having to donate a kidney to afford these pieces.
Designer brands: Theory, Herve Leger, Zimmermann, Rotate, Baum und Pferdgarten, Maje, Gucci, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Chanel and many others.
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4. Glam Corner
Glam Corner is a Sydney-based dress rental service. The aim of this company is to reduce the global impact of the fashion industry, while making you feel like you’re on top of the world in renowned designer dresses or other stunning pieces.
Designer brands: Dion Lee, Erdem, Iris and Ink, Helmut Lang, Ganni, Herve Leger, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Winona and many, many others.
5. Armarium
At Armarium, you rent fashionable designer items for 4 days. Experience a true red carpet moment on your own by wearing one of their stunning items.
Designer brands: big designers such as Bottega Veneta, Delpozo, Ellery, Emilia Wickstead, Erdem, Haider Ackermann, Maison Margiela, Rick Owens, Rochas, Ronald van der Kemp and many others.
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