Living Easy Chats With Anna Bance, Co-Founder of Girl Meets Dress

Next up on Living Easy Chats with is Anna Bance, co-founder of Girl Meets Dress. Girl Meets Dress is an online luxury dress rental service which allows women to hire a selection of designer dresses and accessories for a fraction of the cost price. I’m a huge fan of this concept.

We’ve all done it, spent a pretty penny on a dress for that special occasion with the greatest of intentions! Convincing yourself, that you’ll get so much wear out of it. The truth though. for special occasion’s you always want to wear something new. Girl Meets Dress sloves this problem. You essentially have access to the closet of your dreams and all at an affordable price tag! What’s not to love!

I caught up with Anna to hear all about the Girl Meets Dress journey, her favourite picks from the GMD closet and even some of her top tips for budding entrepreneurs….

Firstly tell us a bit about your career path, and how it led you to create Girl Meets Dress?

The idea for Girl Meets Dress came to me while working as Head of UK PR for French Luxury brand Hermes. Celebrities have always borrowed dresses for special events, and I noticed that with social media everyone is now a mini-celebrity in their own world. Adding an increasing social pressure to a women’s inherent desire not to wear the same dress twice.

Launching Girl Meets Dress gave all women access to this luxury. Being able to easily wear more trend led, time-sensitive fashions, while continuing to invest and buy only in those classic pieces which will stand the test of time.

A philosophy of yours is to “live your brand” and you wear one Girl Meets Dress a week. That’s a pretty sweet perk! Have you ever had to get creative when finding an occasion that requires wearing a gorgeous dress?

A dress can be worn to all occasions, you simply have to find the right style and accessories. It’s great to have access to such a large closet!

I love your business model, it’s a real break away from fast fashion. Has it been difficult changing women’s shopping habits, to rent rather than buying?

When Girl Meets Dress launched in 2009, the recession mindset dominated which was fantastic timing for the concept. It meant that “cost per use” was a huge driver.

When researching the market we noticed the trend for fast fashion phenomenon which has been fuelled by mass market retailers. So much so, that women now buy four times as much clothing as 30 years ago. The average woman has 22 garments in her wardrobe that she has never worn. We took this into consideration and established price points from here.

Retail and consumer habits are changing significantly, both in terms of expectations but also in terms of value. The growth in rental is testament to that change and also highlights consumers growing preference for experience over ownership.

What are your top Girl Meets Dress picks this season?

My personal two favourite dresses from the latest season are the Blue Flower Dress by Chi Chi and the Mareika dress by Marc Jacobs.

What would be your top tips for anyone thinking about launching their own business?

1. Although not 100% necessary, I recommend choosing an area that you know something about. There are exciting ways to pioneer every market, whichever field you love. Of course, you can learn about any new topic – but will you be able to compete with people with years of knowledge and expertise.

2. Find a Co-Founder with different skill sets to you. This is a brilliant way to launch without needing to hire a full team on day 1. If you can split the main areas of the business between you, then you can launch with minimal cost and test the product at market – which is the first step to seeing if there is demand.

3. Don’t over think it. There will never be a perfect time to leave your secure job, risk your salary decrease, take a chance on an idea which might not work – but what’s the worst that can happen? You’ll go back to your previous role until you come up with the next idea!

When attending an event do you have any essential items packed in your handbag?

I carry the usual…cell phone, keys, beauty products, Girl Meets Dress business cards, etc.

What’s been your peak and pit moment on the Girl Meets Dress journey?

Dressing so many women every day is what drives us. In reality we help create those “Cinderella moments” be it an 18-year-old wearing her dream Alexander McQueen dress to a prom, or a top executive that wants to wear an asymmetric ruffled yellow dress from the latest Lanvin collection.

Everyday is challenge when starting your own business, there have always been obstacles. But we have seized every chance and turned it into an opportunity by learning from it.

What do you like to do in your free time, or is there such a thing when running your own business?

Starting a business requires hard work and dedication. So of course most of my time is devoted to Girl Meets Dress. But there should always be time for friends and family.

Can you let us know what’s in store for Girl Meets Dress?

We started International delivery in 2014 and have expanded into Europe, targeting customers from over 30 different countries including France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

This is the first time designer rental has been made accessible in Europe. The expansion will enable customers in all parts of Europe to have access to global designer brands and aligns with the Girl Meets Dress team’s global ambition to build a brand combining e-commerce and merchandising expertise with a deep sense of innovation and luxury.

Denim Days

Back in my old stomping ground of Queen St West. It’s definitely one of my favourite streets in Toronto for whiling away a Saturday. Dotted with independent boutiques, quirky restaurants, cool little coffee spots and not forgetting the leafy green Trinity Bellwoods Park. On this particular Saturday the park was hosting a vintage market. We spent a fine hour or two browsing clothing racks, bargain bins and lot’s of unique industrial furniture finds.

Our summer has been a mixed bag so far. Some rainy grey days and then some crackers! So when the temps tip to the higher end of the scale and the sun is shinning, I take advantage. I’ve been searching for the perfect pair of denim cut offs for sometime. Sadly I lost my Free People pair during our move – don’t you just hate it when that happens! Anyway I had my eye on One Teaspoon for quite sometime and I decided to make the purchase ahead of Mexico trip. So glad I did! I love the fit and light wash is great addition to my summer staples.

Sunglasses; Illesteva * Hat; All Saints (similar) * Knit Tank; TopShop * Denim Cutoffs; One Teaspoon * Birkenstocks

Interior Inspiration – Patio / Balcony

Use soft furnishings like throws and cushions to add warmth and style.

Now that summer has finally arrived, it’s time for a little patio inspiration. There’s something about apartment living or even city living for that matter, that makes you appreciate the great outdoors. Be it hiking local Toronto trails and parks or sitting in a friend’s garden for a summer BBQ. I love any excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and summer weather. When we picked our apartment last October one major draw was the balcony / patio. Not that it’s huge by any means. But for downtown standards, it’s a decent size with a good view of the city.

Since we’ve been hibernating all winter,  we’re  eager to move outdoors now that summer is here. We’ve picked some of the key pieces – the BBQ, some flooring, patio furniture and an outdoor rug. But now it’s time to make the space feel more lived in, like home.The last few weeks I’ve been gathering photos on Pinterest, getting lot’s of ideas. Some of these patios prove that it really doesn’t matter the size of your space, it’s how you decorate and use it. Anybody else patio planning at the moment? I’d love to hear your tips…

Wild leafy greens turns your city space into a gorgeous secret garden.

Keeping it casual with cross legged Moroccan style dining setting.

Mixing old and new – grass & wood flooring, old pallets with new cushions makes stunning patio furniture. 

Dark floors create the perfect base for large patterned cushions, light wood furnishings, a woven rug and gorgeous greens.

Size certainly doesn’t matter – hanging baskets with herbs and lavender and soft furnishings create the perfect outdoor reading nook. 

The minimalist – worn tan leather and natural long grass.

A gardeners delight – deck and paving with a mix of terracotta and bamboo plant pots. 

Vintage boxes and water cans used for planting, contrasted with monochrome cushions and wood decking.

Neutrals and light – hanging lanterns, tea lights and candles create a chilled holiday vibe.

This outdoor space speaks for itself – stunning!

Instagram Accounts To Follow – MARGARET ZHANG

@MARGARET_ZHANG on Instagram

Why should I follow? FASHION * PHOTOGRAPHY * STYLING

It’s back to the land down under for the next instalment of Instagram accounts to follow. This time it’s the gorgeous Margaret Zhang. Margaret writes the blog Shine By Three. But don’t dare pigeonhole this lady with the title of Fashion Blogger. A creative extraordinaire, Margaret also adds photographer, law student, buyer and stylist to her bow. Most of her photos posted on her blog are taken by none other than herself, with her trusty tripod.

The consequence of juggling so many roles, is one very stylish Instagram feed. Stocked full of self styled outfits, behind the scene snaps from her styling and photography work, and not forgetting her buying adventures with Matches Fashion. A woman on the go, Margarets work takes her trotting across the globe. So the exciting cities of Paris, New York and Sydney make a regular appearance in landscape or backdrop format.

My obsession with Margarets Instagram feed lie in the stunning visual of her photos. It’s pretty much magazine quality throughout. I also find so many styling ideas from this lady, whilst some I can only admire from a far – this girl has one serious wardrobe! It’s her layering skills and mix of patterns that I love to get take inspiration from. Also the fact she travels so much we get to see a range of climates, and styling endless possibilities.  We all know sharing is caring, and thankfully Margaret must agree, as she dished out some of top secrets to taking the perfect snap. Which you can catch here on her blog.

So off you pop to check her out, feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments section. I’m always on the hunt for a good Instagram account and as always you can catch me on @LivingEasy.

Tuesdays with Morrie

I’ve just finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie. It’s one of those rare books that stops you in your tracks. Simple in its message, but powerful with its impact. A book so fitting for my 2015 intention – To Be Present, that I felt compelled to share it on my blog. Who knows, maybe you’ll see more book recommendations in the future. If that is the case, then I’m delighted to share Tuesdays with Morrie as my first.

Tuesdays with Morrie, is a memoir written by Mitch Albom. It’s a beautiful story about a student, Mitch and his college lecturer, Morrie. The pair reconnect after sixteen years apart. Sadly the reconnection was spurred when Mitch caught news that his favourite lecturer and mentor Morrie was dying of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) / MND (Motor Neurone Disease). It’s from this point that Morrie on a Tuesday begins his last class, to a student of one. His lesson – the meaning of life.

Thankfully the pair decided to record these weekly lessons and share their story in a book. It was Morrie who suggested the apt title “Tuesdays with Morrie”. Tuesday, the daythey used to meet back in the old college days and then again sixteen years later, in Morrie’s home in Boston.

Through-out the book Morrie’s biggest message is that “in learning to die, you learn how to live” and he suggests that “Every day, have a little bird on your shoulder that asks, ‘Is today the day? Am I ready? Am I doing all I need to do? Am I being the person I want to be”. This may sound morbid but there really is something so hard hitting by asking yourself that question every once in while. It certainly challenges you to think about your priorities.

We hear all the time that life is short and to remember what is truly important. But how much heed do we really pay? Life is busy, and with the internet at our finger tips at every moment of the day it seems we are always connected. Always working, thinking, posting, forever checking social media platforms. This book is a great reminder to enjoy the moments, no matter how small. Don’t get caught up in materialism, you’ll never be truly satisfied. Lastly don’t fear growing old, instead embrace it, use it as the hunger you need to live a better life.

Remember that it is up to you to live the life you want to live. You are the only one who can ensure that when the time comes you are happy that you have lived life .

Of course the ending is incredibly sad. I was a little upset that my time with Morrie had come to an end. But that’s the great thing about a book, it’s always there to dip back into from time to time.

I took this photo at home in Co. Kildare, Ireland, on a gorgeous September night.