The Future of Fashion with Wear the Walk

According to Clothes Aid, the UK throws to landfills 350,000 tonnes of perfectly wearable clothing worth approximately £140 million each year.  Despite this, if people changed the way they supplied, used, and disposed of clothing, the UK could save a whopping £3 billion each year.

However, Wear the Walk (WTW), a relatively new clothing brand, has hit the fashion market by letting you rent two pieces of clothing every month for a small subscription of £50.  In which case, allowing you to wear designer clothing when you want, where you want, and send it back when you no longer want it.  A perfect system for people who buy outfits and only wear them once.

WTW isn’t just about renting cloths but “transforming the way that women are consuming luxury fashion with a perspective on sustainability.”

The online fashion library is described as a ‘revolving wardrobe’ that allows women to experiment with their style and experience the delight of a new buy without the hefty price tag attached.

We interviewed Zoe Partridge, the founder of WTW, where she talks about feminism, being a businesswoman, and a soon to be available curvy range.

Where did the inspiration for WTW come from?

It all started on how can I get my hands on amazing dresses which I don’t have to pay a fortune for?  And I don’t have to keep in my wardrobe and only wear once. Renting has gone on for a while now, it’s not necessarily a new thing, hopefully the way that we’re doing it, is that we’re coming at it from a different perspective.

Do you enjoy being a business woman?

Yes, but it’s bloody difficult 99% of the time. As were at the early stages it’s tough, but I’ve built a good support network around me.  They help me day to day with the sort of run down to it, and I love the flexibility.  Working is like nature, I prefer to work, so I do enjoy a challenge for sure.

You stated that women are “taught the power of compliance, how to fit in and how to not ruffle feathers.” Saying this, would you count yourself as a feminist?

Yes, I’m a massive champion support for women and I want us to be equal.  Particularly, when it comes to pay and entrepreneurship, and getting investment.  I think one of the things that has gone on largely is that there’s still a larger disparity that men inherently think better as founders and entrepreneurs and being able to raise money.  I think that’s an old fashion view thought worldwide and so yes I say I do have feminism attributes and traits.

Would you consider a plus size range?

Yes, absolutely, we’ve been bootstrapping the company and working with what we’ve got. We very much have a view in mind of increasing the sizes.  That is a problem; the whole mentality is that we’re not representing the everyday woman which isn’t great.