Welcome back to ‘Lisa’s Lenders Love List,’ a delightful dive into the world of fashion rental where I celebrate the fabulous individuals behind this thriving community! Each month, I shine a sustainably stylish spotlight on top lenders who are not only sharing their stylish wardrobes but also revolutionising the way we think about fashion. You'll discover their unique stories, personal highlights, and top tips for anyone looking to join the rental revolution. Whether you're a seasoned lender or just curious about how it all works, prepare to be inspired by the creativity and passion of these remarkable style-savvy trailblazers. So without further ado, I am delighted to introduce to our latest featured lender – Isobel Hunter.
Tell us a bit about yourself! Who is Isobel Hunter outside of the fashion rental world?
I spend a lot of time surrounded by beautiful products as I work for a sustainable luxury fashion brand, so I count myself very lucky. Outside of work and my renting side hustle, I live in London with my fiancé and our two cats Crumpet and Pudding.
How did you first discover the world of fashion rentals? Was there a specific moment that inspired you to start renting out your wardrobe?
I’ve worked in fashion for 10 years now, so I am very fortunate to have built up a collection of pieces. I had far too many pieces to wear myself so I had been lending them to friends for years. One wedding really sticks in my mind when I had all five bridesmaids wearing dresses I had lent them. A friend suggested I try renting out my wardrobe and I went from there.
How long have you been renting out your wardrobe, and what was the first item you ever rented out?
I started renting in March 2022 and I rented a leopard print Kitri Harlow dress. It's still a popular piece for me today.
What’s the story behind your favourite item in your rental collection? Why do you love it so much?
I have an amazing black and floral Erdem organza filcoupe dress. It’s got a scoop neck and it's such a feminine feel to it. It was rented out three times before I got a chance to wear it myself.
Can you share one of your most memorable rental experiences? Perhaps a special event or a particularly happy renter?
I love renting out my wardrobe to brides, I’ve got multiple pieces that are out on regular rotation to brides such as my Shrimps Antonia bag, Rixo pearl headband and an Erdem hair bow. Packing up these rentals feels just that little bit more special and getting to see pictures of the brides wearing them on their wedding day. I’ve received such lovely heartfelt thank you notes from brides.
I’m getting married in December and I am renting out as many outfits and accessories for the wedding weekend as I can, so I am planning to have some memorable experiences of my own as a renter.
What are your top three must-have items in your rental wardrobe? Any timeless pieces that always get rented out?
My top three are:
The Self-Portrait Bluebella dress is one of the first pieces I listed and it was already 5 years old at that point but it continues to resonate and rent well as a classic piece for an English wedding.
My Erdem Cheryl Coat is in a camel car coat shape with an oversized embroidery. It’s got a mix of masculine shape with the more feminine detail of floral embroidery. It works really well for winter weddings.
My Temperley London Rider V-neck gown is perfect for black tie and has such a beautiful piece and perfect for black tie and Christmas parties.
How do you decide which items from your wardrobe are perfect for renting out? Any tips for making those choices?
To be honest, I rent out all of my designer pieces. I have been surprised to see that people want to rent sweatshirts and t-shirts from me as well as occasionwear. I also like resortwear pieces that can be worn on holidays which work well from a rental perspective . I personally like cotton and linen pieces for the Summer as they are durable and wash well.
What’s been the biggest surprise or unexpected benefit you’ve found from renting out your wardrobe?
It has introduced me to smaller brands that I unfamiliar with before starting to rent out my wardrobe.
Do you have any fashion rental disasters or funny stories you’d like to share? We all have a few!
I have an Instagram and I always ask my renters to tag me in their posts. The funniest thing that happened was seeing my friends in the background of these Instagram stories and realising that you have lent to friends of friends. One particular friend who is invited to lots of weddings is a repeat offender of appearing in the background.
How do you handle the care and maintenance of your rental items to keep them in top-notch condition?
I provide detailed instructions on how to care for each item when it gets sent out, making sure the renter treats the item like their own. Damage is part of renting, so some basic sewing comes in handy but for bigger jobs I always go to the seam.com. They can work wonders.
What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out with renting their wardrobe? Any beginner’s tips?
Buy what you like. Don’t buy the trendiest pieces that every other lender has. These items have a lot of competition and sometimes pieces that work well for other lenders, won't necessarily work well for you. I wish I understood the algorithm but it’s truly a mystery!
I would suggest buying items second hand or from sample sales if you are looking to build your wardrobe.
How do you stay updated with the latest fashion trends? Any favourite influencers or fashion sites you follow?
As I work for a fashion house, I am lucky that I am quite plugged into trends but I also like reading SheerLuxe and the Sunday Times Style.
What’s your secret to taking great photos for your rental listings? Any tips for making items look irresistible?
I wish I was better at this - photography is definitely not my forte! I encourage my renters to share their images with me so I can include them on my listings. It's nice as it shows the pieces in real life and shows all of the amazing places that my pieces get worn to.
Have you noticed any changes in your own shopping habits since you started renting out your wardrobe?
It has made me more considered in terms of buying quality pieces that will last. Certain fabrics are less durable and won’t rent well, so I won’t buy them for my personal wardrobe. Also, not being fooled by an item being good quality just because its from a designer brand, looking at the fabric composition.
Finally, what do you love most about being part of the fashion rental community?
There's a great sense of community and it’s great to have a side hustle to supplement my income. Sustainability is really important to me so I love seeing my items getting worn and not gathering dust in my wardrobe.
A massive thank you to the lovely Isobel for agreeing to be featured on my Lenders Love List. Make sure you follow Sakthi on Instagram and check out her fabulous rental wardrobe - HURR and By Rotation.
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