The Fashion Exchange—

 Woman’s Designer Consignment Shop Has Two Reasons To Celebrate This Month

While many retailers are struggling in this economy, Janet Falkenthal’s women’s designer consignment shop The Fashion Exchange is celebrating its 25th year. The upscale consignment shop continues to thrive at 109 South Main Street in Newtown.

With this milestone comes the grand opening of Ms Falkenthal’s new location, at 40½ Padanaram Road in Danbury. Both occasions will be recognized September 12–19 with in-store events, sales and giveaways.

“Now more than ever, shoppers look for bargains. Quality consignment can help people who need to spend less, but do not want to give up the labels and looks they love,” Ms Falkenthal explains. “For the past 25 years, customers have seen The Fashion Exchange as an escape where they can find great prices, relax, and enjoy the consignment experience. I love what I do and am happy to celebrate 25 years by opening up a new store!”

Highlights of the grand opening and 25th anniversary celebrations include free gifts to the first 25 customers in each Fashion Exchange store on Saturday, September 12; a daily drawing for a $25 Fashion Exchange Gift Certificate in each store; all jewelry will be 50 percent off on September 12; and customers who spend $50 in either store, Monday through Friday, September 14–18, will receive a free jewelry gift.

In addition to the celebratory events, customers are encouraged to bring in one item of clothing (in season and in style) to donate to Dress For Success. The Fashion Exchange will bring the collected clothing from the week to the local chapter.

The Fashion Exchange is filled with designer bargains, all in style and in season. Ms Falkenthal is on hand to help shoppers pull together ensembles, and welcomes customers to bring something from home that they may want to update with new accessories or matching pieces.

“A good consignment shop can be a label-conscious Fashionista’s best friend, offering designer styles at bargain prices, often 50 to 75 percent less than retail. The image that consignment equals ‘second hand’ or ‘thrift shop’ isn’t always the case,” she said.

“Upscale consignment shopping is about the thrill of the hunt. You come for black pants and leave with treasures like a Chanel dress, Prada shoes, and an Anne Klein jacket, all in perfect condition and in your size! You paid 75 percent less than at the mall. That’s the thrill.”

On the flip side, for those who are tired of clothes that are still in style or need cash, consignment is the answer.

“You’d be surprised how many top executives and financially successful women sell and buy their clothing at consignment shops,” said Ms Falkenthal. “They get bored with what they have, drop off designer labels, and buy more. Consignment is the best kept secret of many wealthy women with great taste. The consignor and the bargain shopper both win.”

 Ms Falkenthal offers shoppers tips for a successful consignment shopping experience.

*If you are searching for work attire, start from the bottom up. First choose a skirt or pants that fit well, and then search for jackets, sweaters, blouses that match.

*Accessorize to complete — or change — the look. Most consignment shops have great inexpensive scarves, belts, purses, earrings, necklaces, and more to enhance an outfit. “You can get totally different looks by only changing the scarf, adding a belt and jewelry,” she said.

*When you are only going to wear a dress once — for a black tie affair like a wedding — consignment is your best friend. Shoppers can find evening wear that has maybe been worn once, and for a great price. “People have dropped off $1,500 gowns at our store that they wore one time which we sold for a fraction of the cost,” says Ms Falkenthal.

*Think of your visit as an adventure and have fun. Take time to go through everything. You never know what treasures await you.

*Bring in items from home that need updating. “You can create a whole new look for your favorite dress or suit by trying it on at the consignment store with a variety of tops, jackets and accessories,” said Ms Frankenthal.

*Consignment shop accessories — a scarf, jewelry, belt, purse — make for great, unique, and affordable gifts.

Both Fashion Exchange stores feature quality clothing for women sizes 0 to 1X, including sportswear, work attire, and evening wear, from top labels such as Gucci, Coach, Prada, and Ferragamo to Ralph Lauren, Ellen Tracy, Donna Karan and more.

The Fashion Exchange also has new accessories, purses, hats, scarves, belts, shoes, and “the best costume jewelry collection in the area,” which Ms Falkenthal buys from designers in New York.

For more information call the Newtown store at 270-0354 and the Danbury store at 791-9002, or visit TheFashionExchangeConsignment.com.