Into the Spotlight, sponsored by Huddersfield-based Scriba PR, is a weekly business feature highlighting some great businesses that often go under the radar. Here, we speak to Rachel Valli who runs ReDress Pre-Loved Boutique in Honley.
It’s a business for the times we live in and it’s great for the planet.
ReDress Pre-Loved Boutique in Honley is all about recycling, re-selling and re-loving quality ladies’ fashion.
The business was started in Lockwood in October last year by mum-of-three Rachel Valli, who loved browsing at a dress agency in Ossett and realised there was a gap in the market.
After successive lockdowns the business grew and Rachel found a new shop in Church Street, Honley, opening in July.
Now business is booming and Rachel said: “It’s been an exciting journey and I’m really proud of how far we’ve come.
“We’ve got lots of loyal customers and it’s a business that ticks all the boxes. People love coming here, I enjoy what I’m doing, we’re helping by recycling and re-selling and it’s great for the planet.”
Rachel, 43, who previously worked with husband Moin at the family’s Valli Opticians chain, decided she wanted to do something different which fitted around family life and the couple’s children Eisaa, 12, Laila, 10, and Eilyah, seven.
“I was still working in the opticians in 2019 when I decided I wanted to open a dress agency where people could bring clothes they no longer wanted and sell them to someone else who would love them,” said Rachel.
“I thought it would be great for the environment and everybody has a story behind a particular item of clothing.”
The pandemic put her plans on hold but eventually she opened the shop in Lockwood.
“It started with just friends, then it became friends of friends and friends of their friends,” said Rachel. “We opened on October 26 2020 and a few weeks later we went into lockdown. We opened again but then went back into lockdown.”
When it re-opened the business continued to grow and Rachel wanted a new location. As Valli Opticians has a branch in Honley she knew the village with its thriving and supportive business community was where she wanted to be.
“Since we moved the business has just gone from strength to strength,” said Rachel.
The business only takes high quality and stylish clothing, accessories, handbags and shoes which all must be in near perfect condition.
“We take designer names from Mulberry and Chanel to high street favourites. It’s more about the style than the brand but the quality has to be there,” said Rachel.
“We list items for up to six weeks and if they are not sold the client collects them or they are given to charity. If they are sold we charge a commission which is usually 50%.”
It’s all modern fashion too and there’s no typical item – it could be a nice top for the weekend, a sparkly dress for a Christmas party or a new winter coat or leather jacket.
“People like to come to the shop every week because we have a big turnover and change things every six weeks.”
The shop is open Wednesday and Thursday (10am-2.30pm), Friday (10am-4pm), Saturday (10am-2pm) and Tuesday by appointment only. It will open 10am-4pm on Saturday December 4 to coincide with Honley Christmas Market.
