HIRE AND HIGHER

Eve Curley loved playing dress-ups as a child and her Barbies were always decked out in stylish outfits. So taking over The Hire Collective (thehirecollective.com) and being able to help fashion-loving Tasmanians choose designer dresses for special occasions has been a dream come true for the 37-year-old.

Stocking popular brands such as Zimmermann, Bec and Bridge and Love Shack Fancy, The Hire Collective gives people a chance to hire – and wear – beautiful dresses at a fraction of the cost of buying them new.

Curley had been following the Launcestonbased business on Instagram, and when she saw the owners were selling last year she jumped at the chance to bring it to Hobart.

“Most clients hire for weddings, engagements, hens parties and milestone birthdays,’’ she says. “I also had quite a few hire for Christmas events.’’

Hires are available nationwide from $69, with postage and dry cleaning costs included.

Locals can book a time to try on dresses, with Saturday appointments at her New Town studio (within the Days of Summer textiles/homewares shop in Forster Street) popular during party season.

Before the pandemic, half Curley’s hires were to interstate shoppers.

Events have ceased due to COVID-19 but the Moonah mother of two young girls, who also works in communications, is hopeful business will pick up again.

“Personally I love dressing up,’’ she says. “I also think that, depending on how many events you might have coming up, dress hire is a sustainable way to wear a designer label at an affordable cost without having a wardrobe full of unworn dresses.

“I love chatting with clients, and it makes me so happy when they send me a photo of themselves in the dress enjoying a special event.

“We are lucky to have so many amazing designers in Australia.’’