One Aldwych x The Cirkel

As the festive period is upon us, we are thrilled to announce that we are partnering with The Cirkel to bring to you a unique festive shopping experience.

The Cirkel’s mission is to reduce the impact of fashion on the planet by elevating the second-hand shopping experience. Their collections are impressive, from Hermès and Chanel to Celine and Sézane. Each garment and accessory is carefully sourced, cleaned and delivered making for a seamless(and bank-account friendly) shopping experience.  

We sat down with co-founder, Eliza Batten in our Lobby Bar to chat about what sustainability means to her and how everyone can adopt a more planet-friendly approach to the holiday period.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself

Hello! I'm Eliza, a 26-year-old Londoner and co-founder of The Cirkel, a sustainable online resale platform for womenswear. I love fashion, and I am passionate about promoting fashion that's stylish, accessible, and eco-friendly. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing sports, or reading a good book. I am a proud Swiftie, I love cats and I am trying to learn Spanish... I have weekly Spanish lessons!

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What inspired you to launch The Cirkel?

Having always shopped second-hand since I can remember, my journey with selling began during my university years, where I sold nearly 3,000 items on Depop, earning a 'Top Seller' status. After graduating from Durham and moving to London, I launched an Instagram series called "Second-Hand Saturdays" showcasing different boutiques each week to highlight the luxury and unique finds available in the second-hand market. However, I was aware that not everyone could access these boutiques, for example, if I was to promote a boutique in Chelsea but the person watching lived in Scotland. This realisation showed me a significant gap in the market for an online platform whose experience reflected that of their store. My goal was to convert more people to shopping second-hand by elevating the online consumer experience to feel like shopping new. In order for people to make shopping second-hand their first choice, it is imperative to have an experience that isas seamless and accessible as possible.

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What can guests expect rom the One Aldwych pop-up?

Whilst we are predominantly an online platform, we lovepopping up in physical spaces to allow people to browse, try-on and immersethemselves amongst the incredible brands. We will be bringing hundreds ofpristine pieces from Ganni to Gucci, Rixo to Chanel, all for an awful lot less!Guests can expect beautiful pieces at big discounts. Plus, we The Cirkel teamare very attentive - if you are looking for something in particular, we want tohelp you find it! 

Are there any stand-out items that will be exclusively available at our pop-up?

Yes! We have some highly sought after ready-to-wear pieces from cult brands like The Row and Toteme, as well as some absolute classic accessories including Chanel flap bags (in different colours!), and a stunning brand new Loewe puzzle. 

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What is your go-to festive outfit?

Either my Nadine Merabi sequin jumpsuit, or my red silk Serena Bute matching shirt and trouser two-piece.

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How important is sustainable/ responsible fashion to you?

Sustainable and responsible fashion is central to my personal and professional ethos. The fashion industry contributes around 10% of global carbon emissions, which is staggering. By making conscious choices, we can collectively make a difference. I understand that you can’t always find things you need second-hand, but all I would ask is that people try before they resort to buying new! 

Shopping second-hand not only benefits the planet, but it’s also very savvy. Not only do you save compared to original retail prices, but if you keep your clothes in good condition, they can be resold at or near their purchase price! I always encourage people to view clothing as assets and resources. This perspective encourages more thoughtful purchasing decisions and helps promote a more circular fashion economy.

Who is your favourite designer and why?

Very tough question. It definitely varies! I love UllaJohnson for her exaggerated shoulders and beautiful prints, The Frankie Shopfor cool oversized ready-to-wear, and The Vampire’s Wife for event dressing!

Your ultimate festive day-out in London, what does itlook like?

My Mum and I will do a big walk around central London to look at all the lights, from Oxford Street down to Piccadilly Circus through the promenades and then out towards Covent Garden. London really is magical at Christmas time.

And finally, your favourite festive tipple?

Bucks Fizz!

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The Cirkel pop-up will be open in our Library on the following dates:

Thursday 21st November: 4pm - 8pm
Friday 22nd November: 2pm - 8pm
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Saturday 23 November: 11am - 6pm
Sunday 24th November: 11am - 2pm
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Thursday 28th November: 4pm - 8pm
Friday 29 November: 2pm - 8pm
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Saturday 30 November: 11am - 6pm
Sunday 1st December: 11am - 2pm