Dressing for success: Designer dresses for ‘fraction of price’

After experiencing online shopping fails, two locals have launched a side hustle taking the hassle out of finding the perfect outfit.

Louise Hamilton ( left ) and Veronique Anderson. Dress Circle Collection offers designer clothing for hire. Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

IT’S an experience that’s all too familiar for many of us – falling in love with a dress and buying it online for a special occasion, only to receive it days before the event and find it’s not what was expected.

After experiencing their fair share of online shopping fails, fashion lovers Louise Hamilton and Veronique Anderson decided to start their own side business Dress Circle Collection.

The seven-week-old venture allows customers to book an appointment, try on and rent high-quality, designer clothing without the hefty price tag.

Veronique Anderson ( left ) and Louise Hamilton. Dress Circle Collection offers designer clothing for hire. Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

“Some great businesses allow you to rent an outfit but it gets delivered without you getting to try it on first so we wanted to give ladies a place to try items on, feel confident and sexy and be able to wear it for an affordable price,” Ms Hamilton said.

“We all have that bit of social anxiety when it comes to what we wear for an event but when you’re wearing a high-quality garment that sits and fits perfectly, you feel amazing and walk into a room with a very different aura.”

The Toowoomba locals said they were also passionate about sustainable fashion and reducing waste.

Featuring designer brands like Badgley Mischka, Rachel Zoe, Zimmermann, Rebecca Vallance and Bronx and Banco, the pair are also catering for different shapes and sizes, stocking size 6 to 22.

“We have both had online shopping fails where something arrives and it’s not what you thought it would be going off the pictures,” Ms Anderson said.

“Ladies can come in to feel the fabric and try items on while wearing their shapewear, bras and shoes … spend the money on your everyday wear but for something you will probably only wear once for a particular event come and see us.

“We’re very conscious about stocking brands that aren’t available to purchase in the Toowoomba region because we have so many amazing businesses and brands to support here too and we don’t want to take away from that.”

Veronique Anderson ( left ) and Louise Hamilton. Dress Circle Collection offers designer clothing for hire. Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

While the start-up business is only new it has already received a positive response from the community with outfits hired for the LifeFlight ball, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation gala, weddings, race days and luncheons.

Pricing starts from $120 per item which includes three-day hire and dry-cleaning.

For more information or to book an appointment click here or here.