"Driven by the mission to make luxury fashion accessible, Street Commerce was born. My roots in skateboarding and hip-hop cultures, interestingly blended with high-fashion over time, served as a launchpad for this venture."
At Street Commerce, our mission is to make high fashion products and experiences accessible to everyone. Having grown up in Concord, NC, I understand the challenges of accessing garments and communities associated with places like France and Italy. Instead, I gravitated towards cultures that were relatable to me, such as Skateboarding and Rap/Hip Hop music. Over time, these cultures seamlessly integrated into the world of high-end designer fashion, a realm often associated with the elite and distant from the common man. However, it's a world of beauty, attention to detail, master craftsmanship, and visionary minds that I immersed myself in, leading me to the opportunity to establish Street Commerce.
In my frequent travels to the fashion meccas of America, I observed exorbitantly high price points that hindered the majority of society from owning these art pieces. The traditional pricing based on supply and demand didn't apply here, as there was no supply cap. Manufacturers readily produced as many products as brands requested, flooding the market with inventory. The high prices aimed to maintain exclusivity and reinforce a luxurious lifestyle associated with success.
Recognizing this imbalance, I realized that countless valuable products were stashed in people's wardrobes worldwide due to the age and extensive history of these brands. Providing these products with new homes not only frees up value for their owners but also allows them to reach new hands at more affordable price points. Embracing this model, we reduce the need for excessive production, fostering a more sustainable fashion market that extends the life of garments already in circulation. Our profit model is straightforward: sourcing, consigning, buying, trading, and selling—creating or retaining value in each step and opening doors of accessibility for more people.
My vision for high-end designer fashion is one that embraces a communal angle. While runway shows are known for their extravagant display of beauty and new designs, they remain distant and exclusive to most. To address this, Street Commerce hosts small runway shows, showcasing consignment collections using local models and collaborating with local artists to craft each event. Our Charlotte community has warmly embraced this model, and we've expanded our efforts to include multiple runway shows, pop-up events, movie showings, and restaurant collaborations—all aimed at revolutionizing the way fashion is consumed globally.
Community, curation, and consignment are the pillars of our company. We believe that community creates value, and our goal is to expand our brand into the hearts and homes of new people, strengthening the market for second-hand designer fashion, making it accessible to everyone.
-Authored by Clinton Love, Founder of Street Commerce
