London Girls Listen Up.
I had to snoop about this incredible fashion haven up north. Market Harborough. I know. I’d never heard of it either. Fashion lovers, secondhand shoppers, bargain hunters, forget that trip to a stately home, or a European flea market you’ve seen on TikTok, there’s something way better and way closer to home. Jump on the train, or take a quick trip up the M1 to junction 21, the Lutterworth/Market Harborough turn off to this small market town in the Midlands.
That’s where ex Hollywood Stylists Holly and Shirley have their off the map styling studio full to the brim with couture and designer luxury fashion lovers die to step inside.
They are an unusual pair, British but hailing from Los Angeles. A friend of my mother had been to pay them a visit with a friend of hers, Lady somebody or other (great taste but not much cash to splash) and had a wail of a time. They came back with some incredible pieces used in films, worn by celebrities, but more so the stories and enthusiasm were so incredible and infectious, I wanted to pay them a visit and see what all the fuss was about for myself.
As a lover of American quiet luxury brand James Perse I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found a whole dedicated rail at 60-70 percent off retail. And my friend who is from Surrey said if this place was in Weybridge there wouldn’t be a single thing left in the vaulted and brick cool studio full of heavy duty clothing rails packed with luxury, designer, collectible, rare and vintage bargains.
I cannot describe the experience, like stepping into the fashion closet at Runway magazine, Devil Wears Prada, I made a joke about Nigel Stanley Tucci appearing as if by magic. Holly and Shirley laughed. They go to work in the space like two bees very calmly buzzing around, talking between themselves about this or that item they seem able to put their hand on at the drop of a hat. They offer an absolutely incredible personal service, it’s not organised like a retail shop so difficult to browse unless you are just curious, nosey ir very interested in fashion. The variety and selection better than Harvey Nichols or Harrods and for a fraction of the price. They pride themselves on having something fabulous for everyone. Personal shopping at it’s very best from obvious experts, it’s best to hand yourself over to.
This is like a private members club for women who love to shop and love a discount, a bargain.
I got the distinct impression it’s not about the money for these women it’s about the clothes, people who genuinely love the fashion.
How do you get in? How do you get an appointment?
Like most off the grid places you need to be invited. Or know someone who knows them. You have to be introduced really. It’s sort of an exclusive club, they tell me.
When you arrive at the location you don’t know where you are going. You have to text them and they come and meet you in the street and take you there. It’s so private we were surprised we weren’t blindfolded. What we do is not for everyone we are informed. It’s very special.
They have a website Rescuelux.com so shopping a couple of times on there first seems to be the first step to securing an appointment.
Only a fraction of the stuff I saw is actually up online they told me, we’ve got so much and always something new coming, it would take a million years to photograph it all.
This is a club you want to be in. I got an incredible mint condition Chanel small document bag for £1250 I’d seen on other sites for double that.
We all love Vinted but with the scandals emerging around con artists and criminals on the platform and so many people losing their money, their goods or both, the excitement around the global business is dwindling at least amongst my friends who are struggling to sell, have complaints about the algorithms and also there’s a lot of rubbish to sift through to find the gems, people have lost patience.
Holly and Shirley’s Rescue Lux is the quiet luxury alternative to shopping secondhand designer luxury.
I cannot tell you how amazing their collection is, you have to see it for yourself. I could have spent hours in there trying on literally everything.
They don’t allow that, keeping you to a sensible plan and making sure you stay within your budget. They don’t like buyers remorse and there are no returns. They see sharing treasured collection as a privilidge so advise you if you are not sure don’t buy. It’s selling in reverse. There’s a definite consciousness to this place, not overtly mentioned but a you can feel things of real beauty matter to Holly and Shirley. A great deal of care is taken in what they do, a bit like rehoming a puppy.
If you’ve been to the best places, difficult to access unless you know someone or a member recommends you you’ll understand you have to play by the rules.
They don’t like time wasters.
Check out their website where you’ll find a much more curated luxury Vinted, vintage jewellery and couture, to present day runway pieces so good you’ll think you are in Paris, Los Angeles, Milano, not a secret fashion hideaway in sleepy Market Harborough