Proudly owning a closet filled with designer attire bought for particular occasions over the previous few years has helped a bride-to-be pay for half of her wedding ceremony.
Sophie Thomas, from Sydney, has made $20,000 by renting out varied high-end robes and outfits by way of on-line market The Volte.
The platform permits anybody in Australia to listing pre-loved garments for lease – all she needed to do was caption images of her attire with the merchandise identify then wait and settle for reserving requests.
The rental interval is set by Sophie and normally ranges between 4 and eight days.
The 33-year-old advised FEMAIL she has 31 attire in rotation for girls to rent and in only one 12 months she has made $45,000.
‘It significantly modified my life and now I can afford the issues I’ve at all times needed and desired – like my dream wedding ceremony,’ Sophie mentioned.
Sophie Thomas, from Sydney, has made $20,000 by renting out varied high-end robes and outfits by way of on-line market The Volte
‘It significantly modified my life and now I can afford the issues I’ve at all times needed and desired – like my dream wedding ceremony,’ Sophie mentioned
From Zimmerman to Alemais, Camilla and Marc and Aje, the complete assortment of attire can be price hundreds of {dollars}, however girls can borrow the robes for a fraction of the retail worth.
Sophie and her fiancé Cameron are set to wed in March subsequent 12 months and the cash constructed from the aspect hustle has helped pay for the flowers, the bride and groom’s outfits, the rings, décor and the marriage favours.
On common Sophie makes an extra $3000 to $5000 monthly.
She mentioned the variety of attire employed per week varies between 4 to 12 relying on the time of 12 months.
Sophie and her fiancé Cameron (left) are set to wed in March subsequent 12 months and the cash constructed from the aspect hustle has helped pay for the flowers, the bride and groom’s outfits, the rings, décor and the marriage favours
On common Sophie makes an extra $3000 to $5000 monthly
She turned to the positioning after shopping for a gown she could not afford for her son’s christening in June 2021.
The gown was the Acler Astone blue fields gown which she purchased for $590, however can now be employed for $137.50.
The very subsequent day she listed the outfit on the platform and acquired a request inside 24 hours.
From there she began rising her designer wardrobe and says she will be able to make her a refund after six weeks.
She turned to the positioning after shopping for a gown she could not afford for her son’s christening in June 2021
Sophie mentioned different favourites which can be always rented out embody the Zimmermann Postcard Empire Me gown and the Blue Tropicana gown.
‘I’ve at all times had good style and particularly love Zimmermann attire. For me, I wish to exit understanding I am carrying one thing that somebody has put numerous thought into – it is high quality over amount,’ she mentioned.
‘I do not worth the ethos of quick trend and have at all times been involved in regards to the eco ingredient, in addition to the standard, and actually assist that entire round financial system.’
Sophie anticipates her turnover this 12 months will possible improve forward of Spring racing, weddings, and finish of the 12 months events now that Covid restrictions aren’t in place.
From there she began rising her designer wardrobe and says she will be able to make her a refund after six weeks
Sophie says the renting attire out is seamless and simple as she’s in a position to work at home and shortly run to the submit workplace if an order comes by way of.
‘It is also about being sensible and I’ve discovered methods to streamline it,’ she mentioned.
‘For instance, when a gown rental comes again, I instantly get it steam cleaned and hung in a garment bag so it is already clear and does not want washing or ironing earlier than leaving the home for the following rental.
Sophie additionally pays for the postage however mentioned the fee is included within the rent charge. She additionally does enable for pick-ups from time to time if it is simpler for the shopper.
Sophie says the renting attire out is seamless and simple as she’s in a position to work at home and shortly run to the submit workplace if an order comes by way of
Bernadette Olivier co-founded The Volte with three different girls in 2017 after noticing a spot available in the market for girls to ‘monetise’ their wardrobe’.
‘We needed folks to maneuver away from quick trend – a mannequin based mostly on clothes being disposable – and see trend as an funding,’ Bernadette advised FEMAIL.
‘We noticed that everybody had these belongings, designer attire, of their wardrobe and believed with the sharing financial system that they may earn folks earnings.’
Bernadette identified most undesirable garments find yourself in landfill and on common Australians discard 23kg of clothes per particular person every year – however The Volte limits this.
‘Regardless of many people with good intentions of passing these clothes to charity retailers or donating them, the bulk find yourself in landfill both right here or abroad,’ she mentioned.
‘Designers like Stella McCartney, and Australian labels Zimmermann, Aje and Alemais have pioneered altering out-dated environmental practices. Nonetheless, quick trend cannot adapt.’
For the time being it has greater than 250,000 month-to-month customers now on the platform, with some lenders incomes greater than $100,000 per 12 months renting out their designer wardrobe.
