Fashbae.co.nz is an online buy/sell platform for all things fashion. The site allows Kiwis to compare, buy and sell pre-owned clothing, without incurring a listing or success fee. The site was founded by 23 year old New Zealander Bridget Thackwray, and we catch up with her about how Fashbae came to be. 

1.   What is Fashbae?

Fashbae is a totally free website which allows Kiwis to buy and sell pre-loved fashion. It caters for women, men, girls, boys and babies for all sorts of fashion categories. 

2.     What makes it different from other sites?

Being free is a huge advantage, but Fashbae also has a very secure and unique payment system to protect users against scammers, which is often a huge problem online. We spent 10 months planning the website and working with user groups to find out exactly what and how the website should work. The result of this is how easy and simple the website is to use – sellers can list items quickly and buyers can find exactly what they’re looking for.

3.     What’s the best fashion bargain you’ve ever had?

The most incredible bargain I've found was actually on Fashbae! It was a pair of Miu Miu heels, 70% off the retail price! As I'm constantly on the website, I see all the awesome deals which pop up... it's pretty hard keep self-control sometimes!! 

4.     What is your one beauty product you can’t live without?

My favourite product is Mecca Cosmetica Illuminating Primer.

5.     How would you describe your personal style?

My style is very business chic. I love having good staples in my wardrobe I can go to all the time. 

6.     What’s your favourite feature about Fashbae?

My favourite thing with Fashbae is how the marketplace is split. You can filter the listings down to colour, size and so on, but then you can choose if you would like to view only designer items, or all items. This is great as everyone is different - some of our users would only buy designer items, where others don't mind so much about the brand.

7.     Who is your style icon?

Victoria Beckham. She's very chic and has a fabulous business style. 

8.     Why did you create Fashbae?

I began buying and selling a lot of pre-loved clothing once I left home. Supporting yourself whilst keeping up with the latest trends would be near impossible at full retail price! I'd use other platforms but there was always something missing or they would just charge too much. I quickly found a niche in the market and decided to go for it! 

9.     What business women do you look up to as role models?

Nadia Lim has always been an inspiration. She's also young and has been successful but has remained humble and natural despite all that. I think that is really important and makes her even more of a role model.  

10.  What advice would you give to other young women looking to start their own business venture?

The biggest thing when starting out in the business world is realising that is it largely dominated by men, and it can be rather intimating at first. You have to build up confidence in yourself and stick up for your ideas. If you are willing to dedicate yourself to your work, and it's your passion, you will succeed.