Got some A-list gowns just sitting in your wardrobe gathering dust? Well, they could be making you money…
Dubai’s not short of a few charity galas and red-carpet events, but finding something appropriately glamorous to wear to them can be tricky.
Do you shell out thousands of dirhams on a glitzy gown? Or do you wear the same LBD you’ve worn to your last 10 cocktail receptions?
Well, one Dubai-based fashion company provides a solution – and it works both ways.
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Designer-24 rents out designer dresses and accessories from a range of luxury labels in a bid to make couture dressing more accessible.
The site, which hires out thousands of gowns in Dubai and Lebanon, was launched by Sara Alemzadeh and Ranya Khalil Aghamardi a few years ago.
“With growing focus on social media, you no longer have to worry about being seen in the same dress twice,” the site says.
“The concept of borrowing a dress is not new – designers have lent dresses to celebrities for decades.”
With brands including Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Elie Saab and Gucci in their arsenal, the site offers delivery (in just two hours if you’re in Dubai), or you can visit its physical store in JLT.
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You can rent something from between three to five days, with prices ranging from Dhs80 to Dhs16,000 for intricate bridal gowns from renowned labels.
And now, the site’s rolling out a new community-based initiative which lets women rent out their own high-end dresses and accessories.
The price of rental is set by Designer-24, based on a number of factors including the original retail price, the condition of the items, and the site’s own expertise.
Owners get 50 per cent of the rental cost, and items are dry-cleaned before being returned.
“The initiative was launched at the beginning of this year and we already have over 200 women renting out their dresses and growing,” said Designer 24’s marketing director, Sonia Sultan.
Since the rent-your-own-dresses service is new, there’s no dedicated section on the site yet – but those interested can email info@designer-24.com to get their goods online.
If you’re looking to hire not rent, there’s also a home delivery option for Dhs100 that brings three styles to your door. You can try them all on while the driver waits for 30 minutes, and then give back the items you don’t want to keep.
You can also order a free second size per item, if you’re not sure what will be the best fit, although clothes and shoes don’t come in every size – you just have to filter to see what’s available.
This could be our new summer-season saviour…
Images: Supplied
