
Can’t afford to buy the high-end couture you see models strutting on the runway? Well now you can – you can rent it! A new start-up, Rent The Runway, allows you to do just that. The company which is based in New York and founded by two Harvard grads, just raised $15 million from Kleiner Perkins. Their first round of funding of $16 million was by Bain Capital Ventures and Highland Capital.
The site allows you to rent fashions accessories from 95 designers at 90% off retail prices. You can get a backup size of the dress you are renting for free and a second style for a nominal fee. Returning is absolutely free – simply drop the dress in the mail in their prepaid envelope. No need to dry-clean it. You can even consult with their stylists. Rentals run from $50 to $200 a dress.
Other similar models include Bag Borrow and Steal which have been around for years and allow you to rent handbags and accessories with the option to buy.
Channels: fashion, social, Startup Idol

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