We’ve talked about Thomas Slack’s video work before. We love everything this Los Angeles-based photographer and videographer does, and his latest short film – directed with Joshua Kang for INLAB + Maison Kitsuné – is a visual delight.
Don’t you wish all Sundays were like this?
SUNDAY an INLAB + Kitsuné short film from thomas slack on Vimeo.
There are many advantages in choosing to run a business centered around preloved items rather than ones that are new. Not least, it is a far more ecologically friendly and sustainable approach. However, setting up a preloved business does need to be done in the right way to ensure the maxim opportunity for success. A topic you can read all about in the post below.
First of all, you must define the market you will be targeting with your preloved pieces. This is a vital step for several reasons, the first being that it will guide you when looking for and investing in stock. Additionally, once you have established your market you will be better equipped to choose the selling platforms you will use, as well as target your marketing and advertising.
For example, high-end collectors will want pieces from at least 20-30 years ago and that were made by established or now-defunct brands. That means if you spy an Ercol table at a knockdown price in a charity shop, it’s usually well worth snapping up for resale at a profit.
However, for a younger clientele looking for pieces inspired by retro trends, more recent work created by smaller brands may be just as acceptable to them. Just as long as the piece fits in well with the aesthetic style they are searching for.
Once you have your market defined it’s time to get all the day to day details of running your business sorted. This means choosing the selling platforms you will use from Etsy and eBay among others.
It also means working out how you will pack items for postage, as well as how you will deliver them to your customers. The good news is that second hand shipping is easier than it’s ever been with many services offering pickups from your own home. Some even ship preloved items as a way to fill up any extra space on journeys that are already being made, something that makes even the delivery of your item more sustainable.
After you have sorted the operational details of your business it’s time to collect some stock. For many second-hand business owners, this is one of the most enjoyable activities, because they get to use their skills to track down pieces that will sell for the best profit.
Of course, you must set out enough time to search for stock when running a preloved business. This is because unlike when selling new items, there are no guarantees you will find something that will sell each week. With that in mind dedicating at least a day a week, every week for this task is a smart idea.
Lastly, do not forget the power of marketing, even when it comes to selling preloved items. In particular, paying to promote your products within the platform you are selling them on can work well. Although, using things like Google ads may also be worth the investment for some of your higher-end pieces.
It’s the start of a new year and many of us are looking for areas of our lives that we can improve to make day to day life easier or more enjoyable for ourselves. Of course, there are countless areas you can focus on, from improving your diet to implementing more exercise, following a new career path – the list goes on. If you want a simple change that will leave you feeling great, you might want to consider setting yourself the goal of updating your wardrobe. This can build your confidence and help you to be comfortable in what you’re wearing. Here are a few suggestions that can get this journey off to the best start!
Perhaps one area you should focus on most when updating your wardrobe is choosing sustainable clothing options. Right now, fast fashion is being widely engaged with – and it’s not hard to see why. People are embracing low cost clothing options that can be delivered the next day. People are also looking for options that can be worn once and then thrown away in a bid to always wear something in social media photos. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is not a good option for the environment, for those making the clothes and more. Instead, it’s much better to choose sustainable clothing options that aren’t going to have a negative impact on the planet and people in more vulnerable situations. Look out for sustainable clothing brands, vintage options and second hand items.
Quality should be key when choosing items for your new wardrobe. Having good quality clothes means they will last the test of time, allowing you to wear them time and time again. Not only is this more sustainable, but it will also save you money in the long run, as you won’t have to regularly replace clothes. Something like a ribbed fisherman’s sweater and a good pair of boots could last you many winters to come.
All too many people buy clothes based on the price tag, rather than the clothes they really want. Often, if possible, it’s better to save up and invest in something you really want. This will see you get better use of your money, as you’re more likely to wear the clothes often and for longer. Chances are, you’ll eventually find a few different brands that you love and return to time and time again.
It’s much more affordable to refresh your wardrobe one step at a time rather than trying to replace everything at once. This way, you can build your wardrobe one step at a time, helping you to spread the cost and avoiding issues where you may wipe out your disposable income in one fell swoop.
Updating your wardrobe will take time and you may find that you simply add a new item or replace an item here and there. Hopefully, some of the information above will help you on your journey!
A couple of weeks ago, Barclaycard Freedom Rewards contacted us to invite us shopping at one of the local businesses in our city. We chose Common People, a Scottish menswear label which just opened its first flagship store in Edinburgh last August.
Common People was founded 3 years ago by Kestin Hare, former Head of Design of English label Nigel Cabourn. After working in the industry for 10 years, Kestin decided to move back to his hometown, Edinburgh, to start his own brand.
Common People focuses on quality, craftsmanship and local sourcing while creating affordable products as the same time. With a small team of three designers and a brand manager and designer, Common People has already made a name for itself in the Japanese and South Korean markets, and is now planning an expansion in the UK.
The label’s customers are people with appreciation for premium quality and an interest in local sourcing and production, who show a support for British brands. These values are reflected in each of Common People’s designs – with pieces completely made in England and Scotland – and also with the label’s collaborations with other British brands.
If you’re in Edinburgh, don’t miss Common People store on 46 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge. During our visit and after a few minutes checking all the amazing pieces on the racks, we decided to take home with us a pair of petrol blue brogues similar to the ones on the photos below!
www.commonpeopleclothing.co.uk
For a while now, we’ve been wanting to visit Emily Millichip’s studio. We met this Edinburgh based designer at the Stitch Lounge and really liked her aesthetics and the bright fabrics she uses in her designs.
Emily’s studio is based at the Art’s Complex, which used to be a colossal office space now converted into studios for local artists, designers and start ups.
We spoke to Emily to find out what inspired her to become a fashion designer and know more about her favourite places in Edinburgh. Read the interview after the photos.
When did you first start designing? Also, who or what inspired you to become a designer?
I started designing in my early twenties, mainly through an extreme hatred for all of the clothes that were in the shops. Things have improved in the UK but for a while there seemed to be a misconception that the country was populated by 16 year old supermodels. I was really into the style of the 1950s and was ordering clothes from California. Eventually I thought that it would be cheaper and easier to learn to make the clothes myself. It was also probably the result of getting a ‘proper’ degree and doing a string of horrible jobs in admin. I decided I needed more colour in my life and waved goodbye to being able to pay my rent on time.
What do you draw inspiration from?
I am inspired by high trash, interesting people, crazy grannies, reading, adventure, music and cheap red wine. When I have time I look at personal style blogs as I find them much more relevant than fashion magazines which bore me to death. I also like to go on solo camping trips and get drunk on rum and concoct new plans around the campfire.
When you’re designing, what woman do you have in mind?
I am always designing for myself. I tend to imagine an amazing scenario I want to be in and then go about making the outfit I would need for such a scenario. This involves a lot of imaginary trailer parks and trips to Mars. Frequently it involves ridiculous Hawaiian prints, silver sequins and pink wigs. In reality though I have mostly made some great outfits to go and buy milk from the shop.
Tell us about your favourite places in Edinburgh.
My favourite places in Edinburgh are all of the beautiful old graveyards, Portobello Beach, little old man pubs and anywhere in Leith. Leith is amazing. Why would you want all of the dignified grandeur of the New Town when you could have the chaos of Leith?
