The Chronicle

Fenwick’s at the Front of latest trend in fashion

- By COREENA FORD Business Reporter coreena.ford@reachplc.com @scoopford

NORTH East department store chain Fenwick has launched a new service which gives customers the chance to rent top designer clothes from the likes of Fendi, Gucci and Chanel.

It has teamed up with luxury-onloan business Front Row London to launch rental services in its Bond Street London and Newcastle city centre stores amid moves to bring in a more planet-friendly approach to fashion.

The firm says the collaborat­ion will give customers access to top designers and trends straight off the runway, with items available in-store to rent from £42.

Front Row London’s fashions have been rented by women attending exclusive events in the social calendar, including Chelsea Flower Show, Ascot and Henley Regatta, since the firm was first launched in Mayfair in 2016, initially as an invitation only service.

Customers looking for outfits for events book appointmen­ts at the firm’s London showroom to try on outfits ahead of their rental. The clothes are then delivered on requested start days.

Front Row has connection­s with a full A to Z of famous and up-and-coming designers with clothes and accessorie­s available from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Chloe, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Giles Deacon, Hermes, Jimmy Choo and Vera Wang.

The company also has a lenders community in which members can list their designer clothes to be rented out.

Fenwick’s partnershi­p with Front Row will involve a similar system, giving customers access to hundreds of

styles from the rental collection. Fashion fans in the North East will be able to book their outfit to rent for either three days or five days before returning it, trying outfits on in advance after booking appointmen­ts with Fenwick’s personal shopper service.

While in-store, Fenwick bosses hopes customers will also complete their outfits by buying accessorie­s, shoes and make-up.

Tomorrow at the Newcastle store customers can also book in for 30-minute sessions, complete with canapes and prosecco, where the fashion team will guide them through the Front Row clothes available.

Leo Fenwick, head of brand at Fenwick, added: “Fenwick is launching this rental service with Front Row as part of a global shift to a more circular fashion future.

“By choosing to rent through Fenwick customers are helping to extend and enrich the life of the garments while reducing their impact on the planet.”

Shika Bodani, founder at Front Row London, said: “We are so excited to partner with Fenwick at their Bond Street flagship and Newcastle locations, allowing customers the option of a sustainabl­e rotating wardrobe for their upcoming occasions.

“Whether you’re looking for that show-stopping gown or a holiday wardrobe the Fenwick x Front Row collection has you covered.”

The Fenwick x Front Row rental collection is available in the Newcastle store from today.

The new initiative marks the latest stage of Fenwick’s modernisat­ion programme following the launch of a website and rationalis­ation of its UK estate over recent years.

 ?? ?? Fashionist­as can rent top designer outfits through Fenwick’s collaborat­ion with Front Row London
Fashionist­as can rent top designer outfits through Fenwick’s collaborat­ion with Front Row London

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