Make mine MAVEN Kate Whittaker is putting a sustainable twist on style with Maven, a curated collection of second hand clothing. Text: LISA WITEPSKI. Photo: MEGAN BRETT. 12 Get It Magazine <strong>Nov</strong>ember <strong>22</strong>
Remember when second hand meant slightly scuffy, and thrifting carried with it the suggestion of sifting through piles of clothes possibly still carrying the whiff of mothballs? Not anymore. Browse Maven’s website, and you’ll be struck by covetous longing for the array of designer dresses, vintage coats and simply gorgeous accessories – all at prices that feel more sensible than splurge. That’s one of the reasons Maven has collected a sizeable base of fashionista fans, Kate says. “We call them Mavenites, and before I joined the company, I was definitely one of the most eager!” she laughs, explaining that her decision to become a member of the company started by Teri MacDuff and Jane McNamara three years ago in Cape Town came about after she closed the marketing consultancy she had run for 10 years. This is, in fact, Kate’s second foray into fashion. After completing her BCom at Stellenbosch – a degree she chose “because although I really wanted to study mechanical engineering, I’d be on a different campus to where the main varsity life was happening” – she took a job as a fashion assistant at Marie Claire. It was a slow burn love affair, Kate says: “It wasn’t something I took to immediately, but I eventually came to love the glamour of fashion. I remember driving to shoots with clothes that cost more than my car!” The progression to writing for the magazine was a natural one, followed by a diversion into design – a skill which Kate put to use at several advertising agencies in the UK, then Canada and Saudi Arabia before she returned to South Africa. Her entry into Maven was something of a serendipity: “Teri and Jane had established a following in Cape Town, but were looking to create a base in Joburg. Meanwhile, I had been wanting to exit the marketing industry for some time – I was looking for something more meaningful.” Maven, with its strong accent on sustainability, certainly offered that; after all, it’s a sad fact that those must-have jeans or the season’s new look jacket exerts a heavy toll on the environment. “I think that’s one of the reasons thrifting is currently enjoying a moment,” Kate muses. “We’ve become so aware of how everything we do adds to our footprint, and buying second hand is one way we can make a difference.” Of course, she adds, cost also is a big factor – and part of the thrill of thrifting. Getting a fabulous item at a great price makes it feel as though you’ve cheated the system. And, because you’re spending less, you have more leeway to experiment. “That’s what I personally love about buying second hand. You’re more willing to take chances, because you’re not shelling out as much as you would in a shop – so you’ll maybe try a colour or a cut you wouldn’t go for. That helps you develop your own style and build a more eclectic wardrobe.” Given those advantages, it’s not surprising Kate managed to build an enthusiastic crowd of Mavenites within mere months. “I was also lucky to rely on community support when I hosted our launch pop up in March this year, which was extremely well attended. Joburg is my hood – I was born and bred here – so I had a wide network to call upon. And this place is really like a village within a city – we like propping each other up, especially when it comes to new ventures.” Since then, a new clutch of fans has been born out of Maven’s reputation for being selective. Kate explains that although the team are always keen to buy new stock from people who are tired of what’s hanging in their wardrobe, they’re extremely choosy. “Quality comes first for us – we need to know that the pieces we choose are going to last. We also pay attention to sizes, so that we can offer a range. And when it comes to style – we’re lucky to have three people on board, so the items we choose are a reflection of our different tastes.” The diverse nature of the collection is one of the reasons Mavenites keep coming back, she believes. “When you’re buying second hand, it’s almost as if you and the piece ‘find each other’. It’s so much more fun than walking into a shop where everything is on display. Plus, there’s always a bit of a story behind what you buy – especially if it’s a handmade or vintage treasure.” Kate says that the team is focused on becoming known as the Superbalist of second hand. “Although we have a dedicated store in Cape Town and hold pop ups in Joburg, we’re so proud of our online shopping experience – you can filter by product type, size, colour, brand and even fabric, and you’ll get your piece within three to five days, no matter where you are in the country,” Kate says, adding that a large part of her time is dedicated to ensuring this is seamlessness. We have to agree – it’s fashion at its finest! Kate’s guide to thrifting “The very best piece of advice I could give is: buy it if you love it! Because it’s second hand, you’re not going to find it again – so even if it’s something mad, like a PVC raincoat, if it brings you joy, you should take it home,” Kate says. That said, it’s always important to check the piece thoroughly before you pay. A reputable thrift store will already have done this for you, but it never hurts to run your eye over seams and buttons, just in case. “And check for quality of fabric. That’s our biggest criterion ... thrifting is really about finding a bargain, but if you’re paying for something that’s not going to last, you’re not actually getting that bargain.” Details: Mavencollection.co.za <strong>Nov</strong>ember <strong>22</strong> Get It Magazine 13