SWAP TILL YOU DROP- EXCHANGING CLOTHES IS THE LATEST FASHION

Strapped for cash but desperate to get your hands on that must-have Versace dress? I discover why designer swap shops are bucking the recession and helping bargain hunters find a real steal.

WITH labels boasting such top designers as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Cavalli the clothes on Tara’s Designer Exchange rails wouldn't be out of place in stores such as Brown Thomas. But Tara’s Guccis, Pradas or Juicy Coutures do not come with outrageous designer price tags. The labels are genuine, but the clothes at the boutique in Nass are second hand and on sale at a snippet of high street prices, explains Tara Byrne, owner of the shop. "The premise of the shop is very simple, it's like a swap shop for designer clothes," says Tara, who literally went from rags to riches thanks to her simple, yet ingenious, idea.


"People come in with unwanted designer or vintage clothing, we tell them how much we think we can sell it for, and they get a percentage of the profits if we sell it. People leave their clothes with me for 6/8 weeks, I put a price on these with the customer and it’s 50/50" Tara opened the store only three months ago. Then unemployed, frustrated, and struggling to make ends meet, she decided to follow her lifelong dream by starting her own business. “I opened the shop as I was unemployed for 15 months and I was really getting down. I have years of experience in fashion and administration but after months of sending the CV everywhere – and hearing nothing back - I decided to do something I really love. I have wanted to open a shop like this for years, “she admits.


Tara opened the shop just before Christmas and it proved an immediate success. And while high street giants are buckling under the pressure of the recession, business is booming at her quirky store, which is an Aladdin’s cave of designer finds and vintage classics.“Since I opened, I've got some beautiful pieces in,” she says, clearly excited.” I have a dress here that cost €3000 with the tags still on it - now it’s selling for €800.I sold a Gucci bag last week for €60 and a Cavalli gown, the other day, for only €150. We are so busy it's ridiculous," says Tara, who is struggling to find enough stock with bargain hunters emptying her shelves quicker than she can fill them. "There may be a recession but there's not one in my shop."


But she’s not the only one. Dressed head to toe in designer clothes, hair and make-up immaculate, Adèle Geoghegan is the perfect advert for her store in Dublin, which sells some of the world's most exclusive labels to the city's most savvy fashionistas. But everything is not as it appears at SWAPSHOP, a boutique in Crow Street, Temple Bar. The frocks hanging on the rails may be genuine Guccis, Armanis or Oscar de la Renta black, but they certainly don't come with designer price tags – which is great news for cash strapped shoppers.


” Clearly, Ireland’s sudden economic shift from boom to bust meant that many of us could no longer sustain former shopping spend through conventional retail stores,” says Adèle “Our mantra - 'trade something you won't wear for something you will' - seemed to address an already obvious need that was accentuated by the economic shift. Many women found themselves with far less disposable income than before, but with the remnants of Celtic Tiger shopping sprees in their closets. At SWOPSHOP we allow customers to leverage this, literally using 'clothes as currency' to continue to replenish their wardrobes!”


The concept of Adèle’s store is slightly different to the regular stores where clothes are sold on behalf of a customer. “The idea behind SWOPSHOP is that you use items from your own wardrobe (which must be in immaculate condition, reasonably on trend and seasonal) as part-currency (swop credits) towards any of the amazing items in store and you pay the rest in the form of a service charge (€5 and €10 per piece).The simple premise is that we allow you to trade something you won't wear for something you will.”

In recent weeks she’s sold a black leather Chloe bag, a Roberto Cavalli blazer, a classic Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, vintage Mulberry and Prada bags. Most recently she sold a dark silver wrap dress from Sarah Pacini, which was worth approximately €500 new -and this was swopped for just €18! And with prices like that it’s more than possible to splurge on a designer gown or a luxurious handbag - without the wallet numbing price tag. Good news for all women


For more information go to http://www.swapshop.ie/




TOP SWAP SHOPS
Tosca Designer Swap Shop in Newbridge, Co Kildare, has big-name fashion labels, including Save the Queen, Shirt Passion, Mary Grant, Escada and Louise Kennedy, on sale for a fraction of their original price. Clothes are arriving daily. Recent stock included an Escada pink three-piece suit, brand new, down from €1,300 to €400. Call 045-438978 for details of the clothes on offer.

All About Eve, New Street Shopping Mall, Malahide, Co Dublin, Mon- Sat 10am-6pm.This store has a strict policy for the clothes it accepts. The shop operates on a six-week 50/50 sale-or-return basis, and all items must be in perfect condition. "We guide on price," says Karen, "but the customer has the final say." The shop also offers an alteration service.

A new shop in Howth called The Secret Closet works on exactly the same principles, and offers an equally eclectic choice of designer clothes, bags, shoes and jewellery. They offer a bridal service, too (Abbey Street, Howth, 01-8325853).