Renting off the Runway

“My shop does well during this season filled with events,marriages and card parties,right up New Year’s eve,” says Neeraj Wadhera. The 48-year-old started her Rent a Party Dress venture two years back. She has saris priced from Rs 350 to 4,000 and sherwanis for Rs 1,000 to 9,000,which is only 20 percent of the original cost price. While some of her collection is listed on the website http://www.rentpartydress.com,customers also visit her store in West Patel Nagar for lehengas,saris and western dresses. “It makes economic sense,” says Vinita Bhatia,22,one of her loyal customers. Wadhera adds,“Working women have time constraints and find it simpler to hire dresses.” Hygiene is taken care of and each garment is dry-cleaned before it is rented out for a maximum period of 38 hours.

Everything on rent is not designer wear. It may not even be genuine. For those who would only settle for designer garments,Secret Wardrobe offers an option. Launched in June,the online designer rental service,run by Mumbai-based Jessica Nagpal,stocks designers like Wendell Rodricks,Rahul Mishra,Ranna Gill,Satya Paul,Masaba Gupta and Kavita Bhartia. “Our customers love them,” says Nagpal,who will soon launch bridal wear. The 30-year-old conducts business only by appointment,allowing privacy to her clients,but some might find her security deposit fee of Rs 5,000 to 10,000 a tad exorbitant. “The amount is returned once we get the dress back,” states Nagpal,who usually rents outfits at 25 per cent of the original price.

Nitin Malhotra in Model Town makes things slightly easier for his clients by providing them with jewellery that matches their rented attire. It has been two years since he converted his 30-year-old family business of selling lehengas and sherwanis into renting them out. “More than 40 lehengas have been booked for November-December,” says Malhotra.

It isn’t just dresses,even bags and shoes can be hired. So if you are party-hopping,try renting Jimmy Choos,Louis Vuitton,Gucci and Burberry accessories. You can rent them for a day,for Rs 800 to 1,400,which is between 30-60 percent of the original price. Contact Cookie Singh of bag4aday.com.

Renting agencies certainly have reason to celebrate.