In today’s Daily Mail there is an article about fashion rental, quoting Girl Meets Dress founder Anna Bance. By TOM WITHEROW BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Read the whole piece here. Or see below.

Former Topshop boss heralds ‘enormous’ trend of women renting designer outfits from retailers to save cash and cut waste

• Former Topshop boss Jane Shepherdson is director of London Fashion Fund
• A weekly rental price is typically a tenth of the price of a new designer outfit
• Main focus is women in 50s and 60s looking for outfits for weddings and work
• Miss Shepherdson started renting when invited to event at Buckingham Palace

Shopping for the perfect outfit is so last year, according to a former retail boss who says more women than ever are renting clothes for big occasions.

Companies offering expensive designer items for a fraction of the cost of buying them have sprung up to cater for those who want to save cash and cut waste.

Jane Shepherdson, a former Topshop and Whistles boss who is now a director of London Fashion Fund, which helps new firms get off the ground, said: ‘It’s an enormous trend. Rental has to be the answer, as it allows you to really enjoy fashion without wearing it once and throwing it away. It hasn’t broken through to the mainstream yet, but people are accepting it as something that’s a possibility.’

When bought new, the items range in value from a couple of hundred pounds to thousands for designer dresses by high-end brands such as Victoria Beckham, but a week’s rental is typically a tenth of the price.

Women in their 50s and 60s looking for outfits to wear at weddings, parties and work are said to form a significant proportion of the market, while others just don’t want to add to the piles of clothes cluttering up their wardrobe.

Miss Shepherdson revealed she started renting clothes when she was invited to an event at Buckingham Palace. She said: ‘I could either wear something I already had, spend £1,000 on something new or I could rent. It was an obvious thing to do.’

The rental firms claim their process is similar to buying and returning clothes when shopping online. Some also offer insurance for damage, such as drink stains.

Mika Simmons, an actress who has appeared in a number of ITV and Channel 4 dramas, is a renting convert after trying the service for a red carpet event. ‘I’d rather rent than wear a dress that I’m only going to wear once and which harms the environment,’ said the 44-year-old, who hosts the Happy Vagina podcast about women’s health.

The UK’s fashion rental companies are hoping to mirror the success of US firm Rent The Runway, which has millions of users.

Anna Bance, founder of one of the UK’s biggest rental firms, Girl Meets Dress, said: ‘When we launched in 2009 during the recession it was about saving money. Now a key reason our customers rent is sustainability.’

While it stocks many designers, it also features high street favourites such as Phase Eight. Items start at £19 but stretch to £119 for a £995 Amanda Wakeley gown or £149 for a £1,100 Stella McCartney dress.

Other firms cater for women looking for a taste of red-carpet luxury. Newcomer My Wardrobe HQ offers a £5,000 Alexander McQueen dress for £500 and a £2,500 Tom Ford dress for £177. Founder Sacha Newell said: ‘We offer statement pieces that women are unlikely to wear more than once.’

Dress hire website Girl Meets Dress is your new best friend to help you out for those special events! Every lady wants a show stopping dress hire for a big occasion in their life, a designer gown dresses,Wedding guest Dresses etc.

We have a wardrobe (a very big one at that!) filled with designer dresses to hire for you to borrow! We have over 4,000 designer gown dresses and prom dresses to hire for you to browse in lots of different styles and colours. So you better start looking now to choose which gown dresses online you want!

If you are looking for formal dresses near me, Hire that look with Girl Meets Dress – we are the dress hire destination to rent a dress from designer brands. Own the moment and rent the dress! We offer all type of dresses to hire to cater to all your special occasions, and they range from prom dresses, Evening & Cocktail dresses, Wedding guest Dresses, mother of the bride dresses, Race day dresses. This blog will focus on Wedding guest dresses for you to rent, so if you can’t decide if you want to wear a dress in Summer, then this blog from Girl Meets Dress is the one for you.

We have so many Wedding guest dresses for you to rent for you to choose from!

Amanda Wakeley – Niara Scuba Gown Sand

Rent the Niara Scuba Gown Sand dress, by British designer Amanda Wakeley . This gorgeous scuba gown with fringing on the pockets is the most stunning fishtail dress you could wear, when you need to make an impression! Hiring the Niara Scuba Gown Sand dress is perfect if you want to cover up a little more or if you want to try fringing without having to go all the way.

Self Portrait – Green Cold-Shoulder Dress

Meghan Markle wore this pretty Green Self-Portrait Dress to the Sydney Invictus Games Reception. This Self Portrait green floral printed chiffon dress is a relaxed fitting mid length dress with cold shoulder sleeves. Perfect to hire for a daytime event. If its good enough to wear for the newly appointed and  newlywed the Duchess of Sussex, then its a guaranteed hit at the wedding you are invited to.

Self Portrait – Floral Printed Plissé Dress

This brand gets better each season. Hire this Self Portrait yellow floral printed crepe de chine dress has a fit and flare style designed with cold shoulder frills and a flattering gathered crossed bodice. The dress falls to an asymmetric pleated midi skirt that is detailed with a contrasting blue and black stripe. The dress is lined and fastens at the side.

Perseverance London – Ruffled Metallic Gown

Gorgeous, elegant and flowy gown in golden pattern with spaghetti straps, piping details and ruffled skirt. Make a statement with this amazing piece from Perseverance London. A dress hire dream come true!

Beulah – Ophelia Floral Ruffle Dress

Beulah is a luxury womenswear brand based on British design, heritage and the empowerment of women all over the world. Taking inspiration from their bestselling Sabitri dress, the Ophelia floral midi dress has button detailing on the bodice and ruffle detailing on the sleeve from shoulder to cuff. A nipped in waist flows over the hip to give a semi-full skirt. Beulah is Ophelia floral midi dress the perfect dress hire uk for any smart occasion, that can be worn from day to evening.

For those who live in London, Girl Meets Dress offers same day delivery, for all orders placed before 1pm, so its not too late to hire dresses of your dreams!

For all our other UK and European customers, we offer next day delivery for all orders placed before 1pm.

With Girl Meets Dress, you can now rent the runway, as the dresses you see on the Girl Meets Dress website, are always fresh off the front row of the catwalk.

Do you have lots of events to attend each month and want to wear a new designer dress each time? Why not become a Girl Meets Dress member?

Hire that look with Girl Meets Dress – we are the dress hire destination to rent a dress from designer brands. Own the moment and rent the dress! We offer all type of dresses to hire to cater to all your special occasions, and they range from prom dresses, Evening & Cocktail dresses, Wedding guest Dresses, mother of the bride dresses, Race day dresses. This blog will focus on dresses to wear to Prom, so if you are planning to WOW your fellow classmates at Prom, this blog from Girl Meets Dress is the one for you.

Self Portrait – Azaelea Pink Lace Dress

Self-Portrait has a way of creating the perfect party dresses – This sheer floral lace midi dress reveals just the right amount of skin, with skinny straps, an open back and a full pleated midi skirt. A visible nude lining stops just above the hem to reveal the legs beneath. Bonus, this pink midi lace dress even has pockets, so of you don’t want to bring a bag to prom, then this pink prom dress is for you!

Jill Jill Stuart – Thandie Slip Blue Dress

Hired this pale blue full length slip dress, to make a real entrance at your Prom. The dress of the season. A softly, side-draped slip dress in the softest shade of dusty blue by Jill Jill Stuart.

Ariella – Katinka Evening Gown

Channel striking glamour by hiring this strapless red gown by Ariella. This couture style gown is a highlight of the collection. The origami style structured bodice is striking, made in a fabulous red structured fabric with a classic fishtail shape skirt. For timeless red carpet elegance this is the style to pick.

Amanda Wakeley – Niara Scuba Gown Sand

Hire the Niara Sand Scuba Dress by British designer Amanda Wakeley. This gorgeous beige gown with fringing on the pockets is the most stunning fishtail dress you could wear, when you need to make an impression! This is perfect if you want to cover up a little more or if you want to try fringing without having to go all the way.

DKNY – Cleo Dress

Rent this black maxi dress by DKNY. They say you should only show cleavage or leg, this dress shows that both can look absolutely amazing. Long sleeves and v-neck front. Pleats to front and slit to side.

For those who live in London, Girl Meets Dress offers same day delivery, for all orders placed before 1pm, so its not too late to hire dresses of your dreams!

For all our other UK and European customers, we offer next day delivery for all orders placed before 1pm.

With Girl Meets Dress, you can now rent the runway, as the dresses you see on the Girl Meets Dress website, are always fresh off the front row of the catwalk.

Do you have lots of events to attend each month and want to wear a new designer dress each time? Why not become a Girl Meets Dress member?

Starting to think about what to wear to prom and don’t want to spend a fortune on a dress that you’ll probably only wear once? Well, look no further! Here at Girl Meets Dress, we have over 4,000 dresses for you to hire from! Have a browse through our ‘prom dress’ section where you will see many dresses for hire from all your favourite designers! This blog will feature our top picks for prom dresses to hire in Surrey!

Short Prom Dresses to Hire

Frock and Frill – Diana Embellished Dress

Hire this sequin mini dress by Frock and Frill, to channel your inner Daisy from the Great Gatsby at your prom. This is a beautiful little special occasion dress. Perfect for a 1920’s / Great Gatsby style themed prom. Add a headband, gloves, red lipstick and some pearls. Plus a flapper attitude!

Dresses by Lara – Avery Dress

Rent this mini sequin dress by Lara Designs to have that alluring look at your prom. V-neckline with full length sleeves feature this lovely cocktail dress by Lara Designs Dresses. Patterned embellishments adorn the top and continue over the short mini skirt.

Self Portrait – Star Lace Dress

 

Midi Prom Dresses to Hire

Virgos Lounge – Honor Cocktail Dress

Want everyone to envy you at your prom? Then hire this sequin beaded gold cocktail dress by Virgos Lounge. This is a really eye catching choice for a smart event! Wear simple accessories and Gold heels.

Self Portrait – Fantasia Dress

Rent this blue midi lace dress by Self Portrait to ooze sophistication at your prom. Detailed with intricate all-over floral embroidery, this charming dress from Self Portrait is given a contemporary lift with sheer grosgrain panelling. The cinched waist and flared skirt lovingly-sculpt the frame while scalloped trims provide a pretty finish.

Christopher Kane –Turquoise Pleated Dress

Hire this long sleeved pleated dress to transform into an elegant goddess for your prom. Christopher Kane shows off a feminine side with this gorgeous long sleeved midi dress. A brilliant turquoise pleated skirt is balanced with a lace bodice and sleeves. Rent this long sleeved lace dress and wear with heels.

Floor Length Prom Dresses to Hire

Badgley Mischka – Bow Waist Gown

Hire this sleeveless grey gown by Badgley Mischka, will turn heads as soon as you walk into your prom. The bow detail on this dress, adds a unique feature to the bodice. The colour grey will stand out against the crowd. Simply add jewellery and you’re all set to go.

Amanda Wakeley – Niara Scuba Gown Sand

Rent this long sleeved fringed gown by British designer Amanda Wakeley, to accentuate your curves in all the right places. This gorgeous scuba beige gown with fringing on the pockets is the most stunning fishtail dress you could wear, when you need to make an impression! This is perfect if you want to cover up a little more or if you want to try fringing without having to go all the way.

Dresses by Lara – Cora Gown

Want to make the ultimate statement at your prom? Then rent this full length red sequinned dress by Dresses by Lara. Red is such a great colour to choose for a black tie event. Rent this dress for a modern glamour statement at your next special soiree. The beautiful fabric is adorned with beading.Keep accessories minimal.

For those who live in London, Girl Meets Dress offers same day delivery, for all orders placed before 1pm, so its not too late to hire dresses of your dreams!

For all our other UK and European customers, we offer next day delivery for all orders placed before 1pm.

With Girl Meets Dress, you can now rent the runway, as the dresses you see on the Girl Meets Dress website, are always fresh off the front row of the catwalk.

Do you have lots of events to attend each month and want to wear a new designer dress each time? Why not become a Girl Meets Dress member?