Second hand, first class Luxury consignment boutique specializes in hard-to-find, high end, pre-loved labels By: Nadya Pankiw  Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Friday, Aug. 21, 2020

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/08/2020 (1589 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Second hand isn’t second class at So Over It luxury consignment store, the only consignment store in Manitoba that specializes in luxury brands, most of which are inaccessible to the local market.

While the products may be pre-loved, they still carry pristine and authentic markings of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry, Hermés, Christian Dior and more.

So Over It isn’t the first iteration of a luxury consignment store in Canada. Fashion forward cities like Montreal and Toronto have been there, done that, but this local business is making a breakthrough in the high-end consignment market.

Since its inception in 2017, owners Rachel Solomon and Jordan Blair knew they were filling a hole in the luxe market in Winnipeg.

“Once I finally moved (back to Winnipeg), I realized luxury consignment did not exist in Winnipeg and what a better thing to bring to the market where I was already involved in retail,” said Solomon.

With a friendship that has lasted longer than any fast fashion trend, the pair set out to launch their business.

After sourcing designer goods from friends and family and launching their website, sooveritshop.com, Blair soon realized they were outgrowing their initial online-only business model, and running out of space in her apartment to store products.

“We actually did not want to have a brick and mortar,” said Blair.

“Once I finally moved (back to Winnipeg), I realized luxury consignment did not exist in Winnipeg and what a better thing to bring to the market where I was already involved in retail.” – Rachel Solomon

“We wanted to operate e-commerce and then we realized we really do care about the experience and so do our customers. Our customers want to feel, try on clothes, try on those shoes, see the bag, talk to us, get our opinions, so that’s why it became apparent that having an actual space and for people to come in was really important to us.”

So Over It then planted its roots in a walk up studio on Corydon Avenue, and after two years, the business just opened the doors on its new location, down the street at 782 Corydon Avenue.

The new storefront features bigger changing rooms, additional parking spaces, and will prioritize the individual customer experience, while following social distancing guidelines.

“We are both extremely passionate about an experience. Like shopping should be an experience and it should be an elevated experience which is exactly what our new store involves,” said Blair.

“We really wanted to bring back those key aspects of customer service: drop your bag, take off your coat, have a coffee, have a glass of prosecco and let’s take your time, let’s have one-on-one customer service.”

“We really wanted to bring back those key aspects of customer service: drop your bag, take off your coat, have a coffee, have a glass of prosecco and let’s take your time, let’s have one-on-one customer service.” – Jordan Blair

One thing’s for sure, more space means more room for product. While the COVID-19 pandemic has left stores feeling emptier than usual, Blair said it’s been a great opportunity for clients to re-assess their closets.

“People have been bored! So not only have we been able to secure amazing inventory because I don’t know about you, but I’ve gone through my closet about 6 times and gotten rid of tons of stuff and like why would you ever wear that… if anything, one person’s junk is another person’s absolute treasure,” said Blair.

Here’s how the consignment process works:

Using the online booking system on the business’s site, consignors can connect with Blair, who is based in Vancouver, B.C., or with Solomon, based in Winnipeg. From in-person to over the phone appointments, Blair and Solomon price and acquire the pieces, set up contracts, and then send the consigner their portion of the profit when their item sells. For ultra-luxe brands like Hermés and Chanel, consignors get 70 per cent, for other brands they get 60 per cent.

“We don’t want you coming in and buying your best friend’s blazer,” said Blair.

“We want to bring sustainability and luxury to Canada and we hope to be the front runners in this and it’s something that we are very passionate about and will continue to educate ourselves on and as the world changes.” – Jordan Blair

“It’s important for us to have an influx of inventory and before the pandemic, Rachel was going to Toronto almost once a month and bringing home hockey duffel bags full of stuff.”

In addition to So Over It’s online and in-store sales, Solomon and Blair have also hosted pop-up events in Vancouver and Calgary.

“We want to bring sustainability and luxury to Canada and we hope to be the front runners in this and it’s something that we are very passionate about and will continue to educate ourselves on and as the world changes,” said Blair, adding that luxury consignment is part of the circular fashion movement.

“We are avoiding landfills and that everything is being reused and recycled… and it proves that consumers are shifting the way that they want to shop. People care about quality craftsmanship, people don’t want to toss out their clothes anymore, they want to invest and we always say, luxury is an investment in your future.”

Currently the store has filled and emptied the closets of over 300 customers ranging in age from 16 to 75. As the list of consigners and buyers continues to grow, Solomon and Blair say they are looking forward to the next chapter of their business.

nadya.pankiw@freepress.mb.ca