Celebrity JUMBLE SALE
Online thrift store Depop is having a moment
They say that money can’t buy style – but they clearly weren’t looking at Katie Price’s Depop store. After all, if style isn’t spending £18 on a Playboy bodysuit or £30 on a fluffy pink coat – both previously worn by the Pricey herself – then we’ll eat our diamanté-studded trilby hat. You are probably aware of – if not fully immersed in – the sartorial Shangri-la that is Depop. But in case you’re not, it’s the online marketplace where 15million users are currently buying and selling their clothes, and people “follow” their favourite sellers to ensure first-dibs on new items – think ebay meets Instagram. And among those 15m, there’s a sub set of celebrity sellers gathering pace. These include the likes of Kate Ferdinand, Lauren Goodger and Gemma Collins, who are either flexing their digital Del Boy chops themselves or employing tech-savvy assistants to manage their accounts. Either way, they’re flogging a treasure trove of bits they’ve either worn once, or not at all.
Essentially, this is yet another online platform where famous types can forge a connection with followers and cash in at the same time. It may not have been intended for celeb fan engagement – it started as an online thrift store, like Poshmark or Gumtree – but at a time when we’re all stuck indoors, and the vast majority of TV work and showbiz appearances are off the table, stars are continuously looking for new business opportunities. And selling their cast-offs, #gifted items or unwanted goods is a great start. It’s no wonder, then, that over the past 12 months, Depop’s popularity has exploded.
So, what can you get? The offers are endless, from workout gear and red-carpet outfits, to bags, shoes and sunglasses – but you have to move quickly. Katie Price’s listings sell out almost instantly, while Ferne Mccann’s competitive pricing (she rarely lists an outfit above £30) means her old stuff is constantly in-demand. The balance of power is redressed by the fact that buyers leave reviews on purchased items – meaning the celeb is only as successful as their five-star rating. Some personalities throw in extra goodies to up the ante: think signed photos and other branded merchandise.
Depop user Bal Wyatt is one of the Pricey’s most loyal customers – and has only stellar things to report on Katie’s customer service. Bal’s bought clothes and accessories, including joggers, T-shirts, a new coat (with tags still on) and a fluffy jacket, and she tells heat, “They’re such good deals and amazing bargains. You can get designer pieces, too – I bought a pink Prada purse from her, and a Louis Vuitton scarf. And when I got a pair of shoes that were too big, I got a refund without any problem.” Does it bother her that some celebrities – Katie not withstanding – have been criticised for profiting from the freebies they receive? “Not at all,” she says. “These celebrities get things thrown at them all the time, and they’re doing something good by selling it on rather than tossing it in the bin. The whole world is changing now when it comes to sustainable fashion.”
Other people are more critical. Depop regular Trisha Hambridge says that she didn’t have such a good customer experience with Katie. She tells heat some items were not as shown, adding, “I’ve also noticed that she’s put her prices right up to silly levels, as she knows most items go in minutes.”
Over the past few months, Katie has hit the headlines for raking in some serious money through her Depop shop, reportedly to the tune of £10k. And she’s not alone – according to reports, Lucy Mecklenburgh has earned over
‘Katie Price has put her prices up to silly levels’
£30k by selling her unwanted items, including a ton of maternity gear. Her goods range from a £3 bikini from Primark, to a Prada Saffiano leather bag, which she flogged for £800. Meanwhile, Gemma Collins has allegedly earned up to £55k via the platform – clearly, her 31k followers like what she’s selling. And it’s not just reality stars who are getting in on the act. Emily Ratajkowski has been flogging her designer threads, while lockdown has given Lily Allen the chance to have a mighty good clean-out, selling hundreds of designer items – including a Miu Miu jacket for £220, and a Stella Mccartney sweater for £140.
“Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them” – so said the legendary designer Marc Jacobs. And, while he probably wasn’t talking about one of Chloe Ferry’s used bra and knicker sets (yes, she’s selling those, too), he still had a point. For the ethically conscious, upcycled goods give us all a chance to slow down the fast fashion crisis. Meanwhile, a fan gets the kick of wearing something their idol has worn. For these reasons, Depop ticks a lot of boxes. Yes, there’s the risk of receiving a dodgy item, but that’s the same risk you get every time you click “Buy now” on ebay, and most famous faces have their names and reputations to uphold. They won’t get anywhere with a load of one-star reviews.
The bottom line is, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. And when it comes to Depop, there’s a whole lot of both.