1. Tell us about Secondi. How long has the boutique been opened?
Secondi has been open for 28 years. DuPont circle was VERY different then in that it needed a makeover. In the past decades it has grown into a great place to be, with outdoor cafes, painting studios, and of course shopping!
2. What type of brands/designers can costumers find at your boutique?
You can find a range – anything from Balenciaga and Hermès to contemporary favorites like Splendid to Vince and J Crew. We like to offer a wide variety of brands at different price points – all obviously, far less than purchasing in-store. Our designer section this fall has Chloe, Stella McCartney, Prada and beyond, and our contemporary sections have jeans from brands like J Brand to Rag & Bone. We have evening wear and day dresses, and tons of great sweaters for fall. Our shoes and bags are a similar range – from Saint Laurent loafers to Manolo Blahnik and more contemporary styles from ASH or Sam Edelman.
3. What are your thoughts on DC fashion?
DC is often thought of as frumpy and unfashionable, but we have found that the unique, high-end items sell best, especially from popular labels like Alexander Wang, Stella McCartney, Lanvin, and–of course–Chanel. When I first came to DC, the style was much more conservative and practical–think women wearing sneakers with their suits on their way home from work–and now the DC fashion scene is truly evolving into something exciting!
4. Has a celebrity ever consigned or shopped at Secondi?
It’s quite a long list, but one of our most memorable was Blondie herself: Debbie Harry!
5. What is your favorite part about owning a consignment boutique?
The customers make it interesting. We are close with all of our consigners – they are our friends. Plus I love to see new and different people shopping in the store. Not to mention, it becomes a generational, experiential activity, which is so different from any other kind of shopping. Last week we had a grandmother, mother, and daughter all together. It’s really special.
XO
– C&K
