With the increased global awareness on sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices came growing consumer-awareness for sustainable fashion, something that Marie-Hélène Stavelot capitalised on with the launch of Dubai-based platform Reluxable.
Stavelot describes Reluxable as the world’s first aggregator to bring together several global luxury second-hand boutiques on one platform ultimately encouraging a circular economy where luxury items are reused instead of being discarded for the next new thing.
“We help consumers shop high-end second-hand goods smarter by saving time and money while contributing to saving the planet,” said Stavelot.
In an exclusive interview with Arabian Business, Stavelot talks about why the idea of Reluxable came about, its business model and her funding experience as a woman of colour.
How did the idea of Reluxable come to mind and what is the market need for such a platform?
The idea of Reluxable came to me while I was browsing several luxury second-hand websites for designer pumps. As much as I love high-end second-hand items, spending time looking for an item on multiple sites can be exhausting and time-consuming.
Do you feel that, since the pandemic, there has been a heightened awareness on sustainability and a demand for affordable products?
Personally, I have known the luxury second-hand market since I was a teenager when I used to sell my old items to buy brand-new designer items.
Today I can tell that people openly endorse pre-owned goods. That was the case also before the pandemic, which makes the luxury second-hand market a booming market.
The secondary market for luxury goods has always existed in the shadow of the primary market. However, now it is moving into the spotlight and becoming one of the fastest-growing areas of luxury. Consumers are more aware of their spending habits and tend more towards a sustainable-conscious mind-set. By connecting these conscious consumers directly with trusted second-hand retailers globally, we can push down the fashion industry’s environmental impact and make luxury more accessible and sustainable.
What is your business model?
We follow a matchmaking business model which is connecting luxury second-hand retailers with customers. Fast-growing online second-hand resellers are drastically changing the luxury resale landscape towards a more consolidated ecosystem and are driving the growth of the second-hand market and Reluxable is part of this change.
Reluxable’s ultimate goal is to connect customers with retailers, enabling users to browse products from several retailers, search for products, save their favourites, and get updates on availability.
We facilitate the users’ shopping experience by bringing multiple stores in one place, thereby reducing the number of online destinations required to browse different products.
We thoroughly vet each boutique partner based on their business philosophy, integrity, and expertise in curating luxury authentic second-hand items. We aren’t a seller, rather a bridge connecting the customers and the shops. When customers want to buy, they will click a tracking link. The retailer will get a sale, and we will get a commission, which is affiliate marketing.
How is the platform funded?
Reluxable is self-funded. I received financial support from my parents, who have supported me tremendously from the start.
Do you plan to raise seed funding?
Yes and I’m looking for investors.
As a female entrepreneur in the tech industry, especially a woman of colour, it’s a challenge to find your place. It’s not easy every day, but it is still exhilarating and stimulating. Funding would do more than help us rise through the ranks of the tech industry. We could become a positive example for other businesses like ours. Investors would make this change happen.
As more stores open up and people return to in-person shopping, what do you see as the future of e-commerce?
Even if people are returning to in-person shopping, they can’t find everything in one store.
E-commerce is still on the rise, and especially now as people are seeking more shopping options. But I believe strongly that the future of luxury fashion and e-commerce lies in understanding and interpreting customer needs, including environmental and economic.
How do you see Reluxable growing? What are your expansion plans?
We want to drive the growth of the luxury re-sale market. Our vision is to be the leading platform for second-hand luxury goods. Our mission is to transform the luxury resale industry by facilitating secondary market connections and accelerating transactions.
Reluxable is not just about sustainable fashion, but women’s empowerment too. I am working with a team of talented women, and I hope to inspire other women to enter industries in which they have little to no representation today.
What advice would you give to other start-ups in fashion?
Fashion-Tech is on the rise but still in the shadow of fintech, especially in the Middle East. We think it takes a lot of financial resources to get started, but you just have to be realistic because you can do a lot with little. I would also add to listen to your instinct more than others. We can’t do it all ourselves. However, knowing how to ask for help is vital to move forward.
Follow us on
