Press
Xpose Magazine, February 2012
Be frock n fabulous for every occasion
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Stylebible.ie, April 2012
Now, THIS is Frockn Fabulous!!
Despite their almost unforgivable use of the word ‘frock’, in their business name (it’s a personal pet hate), they thankfully make an impressive recovery by incorporating it into some rather clever, word-play. Yep, very FrocknFabulous indeed!
So, FrocknFabulous is a new irish fashion rental site. Yes, dress rental may have been around for ever, but the gorgeous labels on this site have really caught my eye, with everything from Valentino, Carla Zampatti, Roberto Cavalli, Jenny Packham and Rachel Gilbert to our own fab Jennifer Rothwell. But, as well as providing online rental, Frock n Fabulous also provide a one-on-one personal service which sees the team travel to the clients home with a selection of dresses. The client can then browse through these dresses (and shoes and jewellery too of course) in the comfort of their own home, with the assistance and advice of the Frock n Fabulous team. It seems to me that this would be perfect for adding a real sense of occasion to a bride looking for dresses for her bridesmaids or girls preparing for their debs etc – as well as remembering the all- important fact that these are rental dreses and ergo MUCH cheaper and cost effective than actually purchasing.
The personal visit element of the service is only available in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Kildare, BUT the dresses can be rented all over Ireland. ‘Frock n Fabulous’ will deliver the dress the day before a client’s event and collect it by courier the day after – and this happens nationwide.
Check them out on www.frocknfabulous.ie
Woman’s Way Magazine, April 2012
Don’t want to buy that designer dress but still want to feel oh-so-glamorous in a gúna? You’ll love Frock n Fabulous, a new Irish business founded by Kara Maher, that’s offering a chance to rent high end designer fashion, as well as shoes and jewellery. The courier delivers the day before an event and collects the day after, making it even simpler to hire a gown. You can also ask for advice from the business, ensuring you’ll look the belle of any ball.
Daily Star, 7th April 2012
We frockin’ love this new site
Dress rental is gaining popularity in Ireland as more and more of us want to dress designer for events but don’t have the budget. Frock n Fabulous is the latest addition to the market offering labels including Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Jenny Packham, Jennifer Rothwell and Rachel Gilbert. You can book a dress online at www.frocknfabulous.ie or, if you live in Dublin, Meath, Wicklow, or Kildare, the Frock n Fabulous team will come to your home with a selection and help you choose.
A courier will deliver your dress (sizes 8-14) and pick it up again the day after. Shoes and jewelry are also available. Check out the website, email kara@frocknfabulous.ie or call 086-3471100.
Confetti Magazine, April 2012
If you do three things this summer…
Check out the new online dress hire company, Frock and Fabulous which features designers such as Valentino, Roberto Cavalli and Jenny Packham. They’ll even come to your home with a selection of dresses. Great idea for a hen party! Frocks to rent from €90 (£75), www.frocknfabulous.ie.
The Sunday Business Post - Startup of the day: Frock n Fabulous
Weddings. Christenings. Parties. For some women, the pressure to ‘look fabulous’ never ceases. Magazines, supplements and television shows provide an endless line of pricey frocks that are out of financial reach for most people.
But what if you could rent a Valentino gown for the evening?
That’s the idea behind Frock n Fabulous, a company started two months ago by ex-motoring finance director, Kara Maher.
“It’s an online boutique with a personal touch,” said Maher.
“Basically, my clients have a full online option to view a designer dress, book it for an event and it is couriered to them. The day after, it is picked up by courier.”
Part of the appeal of Maher’s service is the calibre of the clothes on offer.
“I only stock top designers such as Valentino, Cavalli, Rachel Gilbert and Jenny Packham,” said Maher. “These pieces would normally retail for between €1000 or €2000 or even more.”
Maher’s company rents them for between €90 and €150, depending on the dress.
“It’s basically giving the girl next door the accessibility to wear couture pieces for a fraction of the cost,” said Maher. “I also offer a personal service where I take the dresses to a lady’s house if she wants to try on a few pieces. She then has the option to book it for her event there and then.”
Maher chose a website to launch her business rather than a shop.
“A shop just wasn’t going to make business sense with rent, rates and other costs,” she said.
“I wanted to go online to begin with, test the market and see how things go over the next year or two.”
Maher has funded the company with the help of “a small grant” from the Dublin City Enterprise Board “who have been amazing”.
It’s been a big turnaround for Maher, who used to work for a Dublin-based car company.
“I was working as finance manager for a car company for almost eight years but was made redundant,” said Maher, who has two young children.
“I had fallen in love with the designer dress hire concept on a trip to New York a few years back and, again, more recently in London. I wanted to start my own business from home, one that would enable me to stay home with the kids and have a business at the same time.”
Maher said that she has survived to date “with no bank loans”.
