Luxury & Resale Will Survive Covid ~ With Some Changes

The reality is, as a direct result of all the covid changes on the world stage – there has been a downward trend in apparel sales. There is not much reason for people to get dressed up these days. With a high percentage of people working from home, and no parties to attend – what is there to dress up for? In the winter time, when it is colder, we go out to get supplies without ever taking our coat off.

For now, the haute couture and glamour is on hold. But one thing to note is that historically, anytime there was a period of instability, there was also an escape into the splendour of romanticism, culture, and glamour. This phenomena is what gave rise to the film stars of the thirties and forties. Soon they were being copied, flaunting a sleek style and elegance that has added to the mystique and danger of the times.

The appeal surrounding the resale of quality vintage clothing and luxury brand items has become increasingly trendy and sought after. Macy’s and Nordstrom’s added secondhand sections in their retail outlets. From a recent CNN article “Consumers are shopping with their values,” Standish said. “They care about climate change and the impact of apparel on the environment and that’s why they’re more attracted to pre-owned and pre-loved clothing.”

The article also points out the following overview:

“Some of the trends that industry experts say fueled the secondhand market boom won’t change due to the pandemic.

Secondhand clothing stores have been around for decades, but there is a growing number of consumers and a radically diminished stigma attached to the secondhand market. Pre-loved or vintage fashion is now considered not only hip and cool, but environmentally responsible as well, says Jill Standish, senior managing director at professional services firm Accenture, and head of its global retail practice.

Millennials, she says, “want to own high-end brands, and the ability to get them for a fraction of the price in the secondhand market is especially appealing to them,” and a greater move to digital sales during Covid-19 can help the resale sector, which has a strong online presence.”

In addition to the above, there is reason for optimism for an online store as opposed to trying to maintain a brick and mortar store facing repeated lockdowns.

The most important foundational criteria for the product I have chosen for my store, is to avoid things made in China, or anything mass produced. In recent years, we have seen so much fast fashion and mass produced clothing from China filling up the landfills, it does make sense to go back to better quality, less waste, and a classier image projection. However, items made in Hong Kong in the sixties are truly astounding. They made gorgeous hand beaded evening purses, tops, and dresses. But as manufacturing and volume increased, combined with a desire to keep the prices down – we all bought into fast fashion. It does have its place, in practical, everyday wear, especially for kids. But we got way too much of it.

One of the reasons we ended up with too much is because the fashion trends changed more rapidly than they did prior to the 1980’s. The reason for the rapid changing trends, was to increase sales and materialism. It used to be the essence of a certain style or look would last around thirty-five years. Then before we knew it, the fashion trends changed dramatically every six or seven years. It makes more sense to blend the style options into a wide array, so a person can wear what they want. It also makes much more sense to look closer to home for manufacturing and design in the world of high fashion.

One of my motives is to promote Canadian designers. Especially those designers who have reached an exceptional and long-lasting level of success in the ever-changing dynamic world of fashion. Canada has a truly distinguished fashion history brought to us by the flair for fashion in Montreal. Of course there are cottage designers in every nook and cranny of our huge and great country. But Montreal definitely has the edge, with so much inborn natural talent it seems.

We might see more dress up extravaganzas filmed for private gatherings as well. Perhaps people won’t dress up to go somewhere literal – but rather they might dress up to put on a performance or get creative on film. This is already happening on apps like Tik Tok and Zoom. People might buy outfits for photo-shoots and mini-plays to enhance the creativity of their content. This is quite plausible to me because I know how much some people love fashion, and will find opportunities to express themselves.

If the small niche market online retailer of second hand luxury items can weather the covid storm, it does maintain a real person exchange. This means there is flexibility and a personal interest in customer satisfaction.

Offers are accepted on any item in the Quiet West collection. Every item is unique and has been cared for over the long term. The textiles and attention to detail in a high percentage of vintage is no longer available in contemporary apparel.

In addition, the items in a private collection are not being handled or tried on by anyone else. As a micro-enterprise the quality control and attention to detail is much easier to adhere to.

I have sold many beautiful items to International customers. The customers have been fantastic and without complaints. So, even as a recent start up with not exactly impeccable timing, I still feel optimism for the New Year and the future.

I know we are all facing a great deal of change. But now is the time to have faith. I think it makes sense to make a plan – then let each day bring the best we can glean from it. There is no point in worrying about tomorrow – if we do the best we can for today.

Nothing can take love out of this world, including the love for beautifully made apparel and decor. I think if we can remember that – we can weather (and wear) just about anything.

Copyright Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West (2021). Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Valerie J. Hayes and Quiet West with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.