Over the last 20 years, we have seen a 400% increase in the demand for clothes, many of which come from fast fashion retail, with an average of 40% of garments left unworn and hanging in wardrobes across Europe. These shocking figures have resulted in an estimated €443 billion per year in global waste, so it is no surprise that the unique and highly favourable concept of designer rental has never been more welcomed. Paving the way for this en vogue way of sustainable style is the Irish brand Rag Revolution.
With the fight against fast fashion, a core interest to many, Irish-born and bred designer dress rental brand Rag Revolution is trailblazing the industry on the Emerald Isle and afar. Founded in 2019 by Tipperary native, Edel Lyons, who has recently been appointed chair of Women in Digital by Digital Business Ireland, Rag Revolution’s carefully curated, premium dress rental offerings allow their fashionable followers to stay on top of the trends with unique pieces available at a fraction of their retail price, giving the option to don high-end attire for key life events without splashing the cash, and saving on that much-coveted wardrobe space!
With pieces are previously worn by TV Presenter Laura Whitmore, Singer Una Healy, Former Miss Universe Ireland Roz Purcell and Celebrity Stylist Clementine MacNeice to name but a few of the many supportive followers, Rag Revolution’s rent and wear model allows customers to easily rent a piece from an extensive online catalogue, available for either 3 or 7 days. Once they’ve donned their fabulous guna, the item is collected right from their front door and returned, ready to be cleaned using non-chemical wet methods and available to rent for the next fashionable foray.
Designers on hand include Rotate, Rixo, Ganni, Aje, Needle & Thread, Bec + Bridge, Ghost, Queens Of Archives, Olivia Rubin, Sister Jane, Shona Joy, Reformation, Sleeper, La Semaine Paris and Kitri to name but a few.
This model has never been more in demand ahead of the busy Summer season. Be it a wedding on the Mediterranean, a fashionable brunch with the girls or a chic date night, Rag Revolution has something to suit every occasion.
The vast array of rental offerings are available from www.theragrevolution.com and priced between €49.99 to €90, depending on if you choose a 3-day or 7-day rental period, with new items added every season.
When speaking about Rag Revolution, founder Edel Lyons said, “Our mission is to make the fashion industry more sustainable, which is at the core of everything we do. Our love of fashion and desire to be seen in something new shouldn’t cost the earth, and that is why we wanted to provide a centralised platform where customers can rent, buy re-worked one-of-a-kind pieces, and in the future resell, allowing easy access to ethical and luxury brands from across the world.”
When speaking about her appointment with Digital Business Ireland, Edel said: “I am truly honoured to be appointed as the Chairperson for the Women in Digital Committee with Digital Business Ireland. I am excited to work alongside the team to drive awareness and opportunity while making a meaningful impact.”
About Rag Revolution:
Founded in 2019 by Tipperary native Edel Lyons, Rag Revolution is a multi-award nominated fashion rental platform, rapidly becoming one of the most well-known on the Emerald Isle. Worn by some of the biggest celebrities and influencers across the UK & Ireland, including TV Presenter Laura Whitmore, Singer Una Healy, Former Miss Universe Ireland Roz Purcell and Celebrity Stylist Clementine MacNeice to name but a few, Rag Revolution is a digital-first online brand, built through creative media and a unique customer-first approach.
A Finalist in the 2020’s Digital Business Ireland & Permanent TSB Awards Best Website Category, one of 12 start-ups to take part in the NDRC Tech Pre-Accelerator Program and a Finalist in the Business Spirit Awards, the premium, sustainable fashion platform that allows customers to rent designer pieces at a fraction of their retail price, thus saving not only money but that coveted wardrobe space. Rag Revolution continues to expand its business and global partnerships, recently collaborating with the iconic French fashion house, Pierre Cardin.
Edel has 9 years of experience working in tech, media and marketing across Ireland and the UK, which has provided her with a unique insight into the industry. Recently securing a place in New Frontiers Phase 1 & 2, an Enterprise Ireland subsidiary and named as one of the five finalists in the Digital Trailblazer of the Year category in 2020’s Digital Business Ireland & Permanent TSB Awards, Edel’s expertise lies in digital and brand development. She is passionate about fashion and fashion sustainability, holding a Diploma in Entrepreneurship from Harvard University, Edel has recently been appointed as Chair of Women in Digital by Digital Business Ireland.
