Fashion People RealReal Talk
Mar 21, 2025
Rati Sahi Levesque, CEO of The RealReal and former boutique owner, shares insights on the booming thrifting culture and how luxury consumers are evolving. She discusses the addictive nature of The RealReal's app and the hot trend of collarless Armani blazers. Rati highlights the impact of technology on luxury retail and the rise of secondhand brands like Theory. They also delve into strategic challenges in luxury consignment, including product authentication and the changing perceptions of younger buyers transitioning from fast fashion.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
First Encounter
- Rati Sahi Levesque, CEO of The RealReal, recalls meeting Lauren Sherman over 15 years ago.
- Sherman visited Levesque's apartment for a closet cleanout story, highlighting a Balenciaga shirt.
Early Days of The RealReal
- In 2011, online luxury resale was a nascent market.
- The RealReal differentiated itself by focusing on luxury items and quickly selling initial inventory.
Overcoming Stigma
- Initially, buying secondhand luxury goods, especially shoes, carried a stigma.
- The RealReal aimed to overcome this by focusing on high-quality items and building trust with consumers.