Kelly Zarif of Realove Luxury Consignment is not just selling the most desirable pieces — she is changing the retail fashion experience.
Fashion is one of the fastest-evolving industries in the world today. While elite seasonal fashion shows still set the tone, in the world of content creation and online influencers any day of the week can now see the spark of a new fashion trend.
Keeping up with trends is quite an endeavour, but setting a trend makes you a higher-level champion, someone who will inspire others. And setting the trend is exactly what Kelly Zarif has done. She sees an opportunity for renewal, ensuring that garments and accessories that were once cherished will still remain valued.
That is how Realove Luxury Consignment came to be.
Growing up as the second of four sisters meant she had constant access to closets beyond her own. Realizing that the same garment could look completely different depending on who wore it shaped her understanding of style, but more importantly, of wearability. Today, that perspective informs her consignment business.
While others might claim that old and worn pieces are vintage, and “vintage” can have a negative connotation, to Zarif it must mean that the item is a classic. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Alexander McQueen, Fendi — you name it, they have it, and it’s always authentic.
But its product line is just one aspect of what makes Realove special. It’s also the family-style culture and the level of service delivered by the Realove team. “Our services are not comparable to anything else,” Zarif says proudly. “Every single garment, bag, purse — everything is meticulously cleaned, deodorized, so when you do shop from us, you get a piece indistinguishable from brand-new.”
And while luxury goods are often seen as exclusive, Zarif and her team ensure that the Realove environment is warm, not elitist. “Our goal is to shift that perception by showing that luxury can be for everyone — accessible, welcoming, and experienced in a friendly, comfortable environment,” she says.
“When I first looked at consignment, I was underwhelmed by the consignment service experience,” Zarif adds. “That is why from the outset I wanted to elevate the service experience by ensuring that the seller and buyer are both treated with respect, attention, and knowledgeable care.”
Realove is just one indication that fast fashion has no place in the true luxury-fashion retail space. Kelly Zarif and her team have proven that there is enduring value in restoring, extending the life cycle of and investing in authentic luxury goods. By extension, they are playing a critical role in supporting consumer faith and love for timeless luxury goods.
