The Star: September 08, 2016

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Thursday September 8 2016 33
Fashion
The business of lending
• By Annabelle Dick
IN ANOTHER life, Mary
Outram could have been a
librarian.
In some ways she is but in the
fashion sense.
The 24-year-old Riccarton
woman has carved a niche not
by selling designer clothing –
but by lending it out.
She established a business
called Borrowed by Mary, which
allows other young fashionistas
to wear her designer-label clothing.
Her business has gained
thousands of followers on social
media.
Miss Outram lends out more
than 50 pieces of clothing, in
sizes six to 14, which are usually
worth several hundred dollars
each.
She has spent years building
up her wardrobe and saw the
opportunity to help others who
want to wear designer clothing
without the price tag.
“For me, when I was younger
you’d have to fork out money
to buy a beautiful item that you
were going to wear to a 21st or a
special occasion, but often you
can’t afford it,” she said.
“Just because you don’t have
all the money in the world
doesn’t mean you can’t wear
these $300, $400 and $500
items,” she said.
She stocks all sorts of dresses,
skirts and playsuits in brands
from Sass & Bide to Shona Joy,
Alice McCall and Camilla.
Miss Outram began the business
venture when she launched
her website in April after leaving
her retail job.
She started the business
herself and was responsible for
everything from creating the
website to gaining a social media
following and modelling garments.
Miss Outram also works in
PR and marketing and runs
her business from home where
women can try on garments
before renting them out.
“Renting has been a popular
concept for a while. It’s been
done over in Australia and
there’s some people here in New
Zealand, but when I started,
there wasn’t anyone big in
Christchurch so I saw a gap in
the market,” she said.
Miss Outram started off as a
fashion blogger in 2014, where
she gained a number of dedicated
followers.
She believes Borrowed by
Mary’s success comes down to
her investment in her fashion
blog and her marketing background.
“I think my difference is that
I’ve had this blog and I have a
sense of style. I think I know
what looks good and I’m smart
about who I’m buying for,” Miss
Outram said.
With Borrowed by Mary’s
popularity soaring, Miss Outram
plans to keep growing her
stock.
She also intends to start her
own PR agency.
BORROWED
BY MARY: Mary
Outram (above)
stocks designer
clothing to lend
out for a small
fee to people like
Isabella Stone
(left) for special
events.
What
you were
wearing
Francesca Miller, 24,
retail, Spreydon
Coat: Zara
Scarf: Merino mink
Culottes: The Fifth Label
Boots: Ixos
Susi Meares, 37, milliner,
Merivale
Jacket: NOM*D
Dress: Cooper
Boots: Yohji Yamamoto
Bag: Mooi
Hugh LeLievre
Manufacturing Jeweller
reg 236
Why choose us:
• 38 years trade experience
• Honest, approachable, free appraisals
• Knowledge • Skills • Advice
• Quality work • Affordable prices
• All work carried out on premises
• Make/create your designs
• Repairs, re-makes, re-models
• Unique, one off pieces in stock
Immediate in-store quotes
Mon-FRi
10-6PM
SatuRday
10-2PM
2a Straven Rd
(Cnr Riccarton & Straven Rds)
Ph 03 348 1135
All Sewing Needs
Tailoring
for 40 years
Alterations,
repairs &
garment
makeovers.
All fabric
including
leather wear.
Made to order.
All enquiries welcome
474 Barrington St
Corner Lincoln Road
(near Z Station)
Phone: 339 2464
NEW SEASON ZIERA IN STOre
Hornby Shoe Outlet
383 Main South Rd, Hornby
Branston Shopping Centre | Ph 349 2936
Wairakei Shoe Outlet
287 Wairakei Rd,
Wairakei Shopping Centre | Ph 359 5816