Top Swap #Triple HOT!

New York Fashion Week is over but London, Milan & Paris are still to come, so why not keep talking about fashion, right?

Have you ever heard of Top Swap? This ubber secret club, founded by models Amanda Salvato, Gabi Rebeschini and Marina Theiss is revolutionizing the way high fashion can be economically friendly, entertaining, fun and green. Keeping in mind the ideas of a full closet and the concept on never having anything to wear (isn’t that our usual dilemma?), these three smarties decided to get together a group of selected people and told them to bring from their closet couture they no longer wore or wanted so they could sell or swap.  Isn’t that a smart idea?

 Bla’s own Mirella Afonso checked out of one of these gatherings. It was a wonderful evening with beautiful people, champagne, accessories and fun!!!

We talked to the girls about Top swap and here is the scoop about it …

Bla – How early in life were you drawn into fashion or did it start with the modeling career?

TS – Since we were little girls, playing dress up, doing fashion shows at home with friends.

Marina: I started modeling when I was 17, it took me a while to be comfortable and confident about my fashion style … I am from a small town and I did not have much access to the fashion world, for sure modeling helped me a lot by being exposed to designers, stylists, magazines … 24/7 … is the best school

Bla – How did you three meet and around when did you come up with the Top Swap concept?

TS – We met through work and mutual friends. We became closer on a trip to Aspen back in 2010 … from there the friendship and admiration grew and we shared something very similar: a successful modeling career and the boredom of not being able to explore our creative sides and business minds. We love fashion but also, we are very aware of where our money should go to … this is how Top Swap’s concept happened, the passion for fashion plus the interest in doing business plus the desire to save money and give back! After all, swapping/shopping from our friends 
closets is Eco – friendly!

Bla – The concept of Top Swap is to eliminate the sometimes frustrating store experience and make shopping more friendly, productive and stress free, right? The three of you traveled the world modeling, wore the best of the best for campaigns. Did you all feel frustrated in real life with shopping for clothing or did you not go through this at all but want to give back by helping others with your know how and experience?

TS – Yes, TS concept is an alternative and a smart way to update your wardrobe, “turn what you have into what you want”.  Sometimes we are lucky and get designers items after a fashion show or photo shoot. We also have the chance to shop straight from the stylist we work with, or get VIP access to exclusive sample sales … But most of the time we have to deal with the hassle like everyone else.

Bla – How do you select this VIP groups (that obviously has the means), that is interested on high end fashion but does not have the typical mentality of fashion being disposal?

TS – Since the beginning, the idea of TS was to create a fashion club where close friends and people we meet in the business can share their style and their amazing closets … so this is how the members are chosen; you have to be invited by one of us (TS 
girls) or by one of the members.

Bla– The items that are sold or swapped must have some sort of previous inspection, right? What are the key categories that have to be met in order for an item to be properly fit for trading or selling?

TS – Members are allowed to bring up to 10 pieces at TS events and our requests are: new or gently used high end designers, vintage or fashionable high street. The items on our website are all inspected and handpicked by the TS team.

Bla – So our readers can get to know you better, do you only commercialize in the meetings? Do you have an online store?

TS – Swaps are only available at our TS bashes, by invitation only. However, anyone can shop for amazing designer items at incredible prices at our online store. www.topswapclub.com

Bla – If so, how can people post their items on your site?

TS – At the moment we only accept items from our members, but feel free to contact us at info@topswapclub.com

Bla – With fashion week approaching and stores getting loaded with “the next thing”, what is your advice for a more conscientious and stress free experience?

TS – Do not be a “fashion victim”. Just because something is “the new black”, it does not mean that you have to adopt the trend. On the quest to be trendy, some people worship “the next thing” regardless of how they look in them and end it up completely missing the most important part on being stylish: customizing a trend to suit their own body, age and circumstance. Also, if you do not have the chance to swap/shop at Top Swap … be creative and shop from your own closet.

Thanks girls. You gave our readers valuable tips and I am sure Top Swap online will grow even more.

by Márcia Schwarz Perel 

Creative Director Mirella Afonso
Images TopSwap