Photo cred: Alexander McQueen spring/summer 2020 runway show. Image courtesy of Alexander McQueen
Written by Danielle Olavario
The next time you’re selling your items at the resale platform Vestiaire Collective, you may be able to exchange it for new Alexander McQueen pieces. The two brands have recently announced a collaboration that aims to encourage circular practices in fashion, a partnership that marks the launch of Vestiaire Collective’s new ‘Brand Approved’ program.
Here’s how it works: When you sell a second-hand Alexander McQueen item on the site, you may be contacted by an Alexander McQueen sales representative who will assess your pieces and, if eligible, assign a buy-back price. Once your pieces are received and authenticated, you’ll be given a credit note that you can use to buy new items from specified Alexander McQueen stores.
Photo cred: Alexander McQueen
But what happens to your old Alexander McQueen pieces? They’ll be available for purchase in Vestiaire’s new ‘Brand Approved’ page. An NFC tag will also be attached to them so other buyers can access information about the item’s authenticity.
The collaboration has already proven a hit. More than half of the first McQueen drop on the resale platform has already sold out, including a red and black wool tartan skirt from the fall 2006 collection as well as a sleeveless tailored tuxedo jacket from spring 2011. Shoes, bags, and other accessories are also up for grabs.
Photo cred: Alexander McQueen
Alexander McQueen is no stranger to sustainable practices. The brand supports local artisans and mills in the UK, frequently reuses fabrics and donates leftover materials to student programs and young designers all over the country. The collaboration is a testament to the brand’s commitment to more circular business practices. “We are confident that our customers will be equally excited to take part in an initiative that challenges a linear economy and sets a new and more sustainable standard for the future,” said Emmanuel Gintzburger, CEO at Alexander McQueen. “We hope many houses will follow because to have impact-at-scale, we need to act collectively.”
Photo cred: Alexander McQueen
Fanny Moizant, co-founder and president of Vestiaire Collective said that the collaboration reinforces Alexander McQueen’s growing commitment to the durability of luxury fashion. “Vestiaire Collective's 'Brand Approved' programme offers a sustainable solution, reinforcing the importance of durability, whilst empowering first-hand fashion players to disrupt their linear business models and embrace circularity,” she said.