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wherewear: Revolutionizing fashion through responsible rental launched by Victoire Tassin (PGE 2019) and Yasmine Brunet
wherewear, founded by Victoire (MBS 2019) and Yasmine Brunet, is a platform for renting designer clothes and accessories between individuals. This innovative concept offers a responsible alternative to fast fashion, enabling people to renew their wardrobes without making permanent purchases. The idea is simple: rent unique pieces for all occasions, while offering owners the chance to make their purchases profitable.
Victoire recounts that the idea was born out of a frustration shared with her co-founder Yasmine Brunet: " We wanted to renew our wardrobe regularly without giving in to fast fashion. So the idea of creating a platform where we could borrow as if from a friend came to mind. "
The namewherewear perfectly reflects this spirit, playing on "where" (where to find looks?) and "wear" (how to dress other than by buying new). The platform promotes reuse, flexibility and eco-responsibility, while giving women access to quality pieces without the need to buy them outright.
A rich and inspiring career
Victoire's career is a perfect illustration of the balance between a solid academic background and a career in fashion before embarking on her own entrepreneurial venture.
"I joined MBS as a bachelor, then did my third year of undergraduate studies in Manchester.
After that, I did my two years of work-study in the master's program, where I worked as a product manager at Printemps, which is how I met Yasmine.
After that, I joined the Saint Laurent fashion house, where I held the position of product manager for leather prêt-à-porter for four years. I finally decided to go 100% entrepreneurial with wherewear in June 2023."
A circular model and a committed community
The concept is based on a circular sharing model. Clothes pass directly from one user to another, without transiting through the platform, preserving the simplicity of the service. In addition to personal changing rooms, wherewear works with independent designers to offer their prototypes and dormant stock for rental.
" We've noticed that many women are looking to diversify their style without always buying more ," explains Victoire. " Renting is the ideal alternative: it allows you to renew your style without waste and at a lower cost. "
The impact of MBS and the entrepreneurial spirit
Victoire underlines the importance of MBS in her career path: " Thanks to the work-study program and the luxury specialization, I have acquired solid experience in fashion. MBS supports our project through the MBS Entrepreneurship Center. We are incubated at the school and benefit from tailor-made support (coaching, help with business plans, finance, partner meetings, etc.), and we are accompanied by Clément Caylar (MBS 2010), partner at Groupe Trial Montpellier, who helps us with our financial and accounting plans. "
" What motivates me most is the impact wherewear can have on consumer habits. Seeing women embrace this circular vision is extremely gratifying. "
Market challenges and future ambitions
The main challenge for wherewear remains to democratize clothing rental. Victoire and her team are responding by facilitating the user experience and offering attractive prices. " We plan to launch a subscription for our loyal users, and we're working on indicators to measure our environmental impact. "
His advice to young graduates?
" My main advice would be to believe in your project while keeping an eye on the market. Entrepreneurship requires a great deal of perseverance, and you have to be ready to adjust your course as you go along.
Surround yourself with people who share your values, because collective intelligence and mutual support are essential to progress. For us, wherewear is above all a daily apprenticeship in entrepreneurship. We learn so much from others, and that's what makes this adventure so rich. Never be afraid to ask for advice from those who have already been down this road, it's a gold mine."
Tips for a successful networking outfit
As an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, Victoire also shared some tips on how to dress for a networking event. According to her, the key is to feel comfortable while remaining professional: " The idea is to present yourself with confidence while showing your personality."
She recalls one particular experience: " During my interview at Saint Laurent, Yasmine lent me a beautiful jumpsuit that she herself had worn for her interview at Ba&sh. This piece helped me feel confident. A piece of clothing can really influence our image and confidence. " For Victoire, it's all about striking a balance between comfort, elegance and authenticity.
wherewear : Responsible, accessible and committed fashion
wherewear continues to forge its path by combining fashion and responsibility. By making rental simple, accessible and attractive, the platform invites us to rethink the way we consume, while creating a community where fashion is shared and passed on.
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