AN INDEPENDENT vintage shop has seen its popularity increase as demand for sustainable fashion continues to grow.
While other retailers struggle and close down or move online, one shop in Bournemouth remains relevant by offering individual, sustainable fashion solutions.
Vintage Clobber in Christchurch Road, Pokesdown has seen an increase in demand as shoppers look for high-quality environmentally friendly clothing.
'It's something you keep for years, not just the season'
Owner of Clobber for 25 years, Richard Mason said: “I think a lot of people are heading away from fast fashion and what we’re offering is slow fashion.
“With vintage it’s something you’re going to keep in your wardrobe for years not just the season.
“In that respect, with global warming and everyone moving away from disposable fashion people tend to be coming back to vintage again.
“I think vintage ticks all the boxes for sustainability and recycling, you can’t really get anymore eco-friendly than second-hand clothing.”
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The treasure-trove on Pokesdown high street has regular clients from London who travel down just to visit the store as well as celebrity clients including Fontaines DC, Wolf Alice and Noddy Holder.
Richard said: “If I was to guess what the customers were thinking, they’re looking for something different and individual and also they’re looking for quality.
“I think sometimes the high street lets people down on the construction and the quality and the fabrics nowadays.”
Another key draw of shopping vintage, Richard explained, is the resale value of items - customers can buy an item at Clobber and “when they get bored of it they can bring it in and I’ll buy it back off them and re-sell it”.
“My main problem with this business is finding stock, I can only sell what I discover. I don’t mind paying whatever prices if people bring items in,” said Richard.
With an array of independent traders and new stores opening in Pokesdown the high street is becoming a vibrant place for shoppers looking for something different to the commercial high streets of Bournemouth and Poole.
Richard said: “Our business has always been strong, I took the shop over 25 years ago and we’ve grown and grown since then.
“The popularity of this street, it’s a great road and there are some really good businesses that have been here for a long time.
“The rents and rates are cheap so it’s good for start-ups and independent traders.”
'I'm not going anywhere'
Looking ahead Richard believes the demand for vintage will only continue to grow. He said: “I’m not going anywhere, I own the shop and I’m quite hopeful for the future.
“I think the market will only get stronger as people look for higher quality items and sustainability and environmentally friendly items.”
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