Today we’d like to introduce you to Federika Longinotti Buitoni.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Federika. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my career in fashion, working with designers Oscar de la Renta and Salvatore Ferragamo, and then transitioned to the retail side, working with an online luxury retailer called Moda Operandi based in NYC. I have always been passionate about the world of luxury retail. My mother is an architect, so ever since I was young, I learned to appreciate design. Our home was filled with antiques, design-driven furniture and beautiful accent pieces… And our table was always impeccably-set! So I guess it’s a story that has been written for a long time.
The idea behind Collecto was born when I was putting together my own wedding registry a few months after getting engaged. I was looking for beautiful, distinctive pieces for my new home, discovery objects that no one had. As I thought more about the registry process, I started to understand that there was a disconnect between what couples were “supposed” to include in their registries (based on tradition), and what the modern couple desired and needed.
I also realized that putting together the registry was perceived as one more ‘to do’ in the infinite wedding checklist. Instead, I wanted it to be a special and exciting experience. Something couples would look forward to. And for that, you need a platform that creates that unparalleled experience. I couldn’t find that anywhere… And that was when Collecto was born.
Has it been a smooth road?
The biggest challenge we encountered at the beginning was convincing our first brands to be featured on our platform. At that time we didn’t have any customers and the website was in its initial stages. I am forever grateful with those brands that trusted me and the mission behind Collecto. My experience working with luxury brands in the fashion world definitely helped me gain their trust. Building a brand always takes time, and, most often it takes longer than you expect. As an entrepreneur, managing these expectations is extremely important.
Tell us more about the business.
Collecto is a luxury wedding registry and online retailer providing access to the world’s finest homeware designers. We bring together a curated selection of items from emerging and established brands, where each piece embraces the value of craftsmanship, heritage and design.
Collecto anticipates the needs of the client by providing guidance to curate the registry as a reflection of their lives thoughtfully. From lifestyle-based recommendations to customized pieces, our Bespoke Concierge Service offers unparalleled assistance to bring our customer’s unique vision to life.
The wedding industry is known for being very traditional. While we certainly respect the tradition, we are constantly thinking of ways to enhance the customer’s experience when it comes to creating their registry. We are innovating through our product curation and bespoke services, amongst other initiatives we are launching in the coming months.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Weddings are usually associated with traditions. However, millennials are re-defining the wedding concept and their expectation for the wedding day. In the world of registries, many couples are asking for experiential gifts or funds for their honeymoons. Others are seeking for meaningful purchases, registering for special, distinctive brands. We work with brands that have incredible heritage and fabulous craftsmanship, and we will share the brand’s stories to create a closer connection with our customers. Relaying these stories will not only create this connection with the couple but also with the guests that are purchasing the gifts.
The wedding industry is very traditional. It’s been around forever, and many retailers in the industry definitely make it feel that way! Most of the luxury retailers that offer registry services feature very traditional brands, nothing quite special. Not only that, but they lack the aspect of curation. Customers have to scroll through hundreds of pages to find things they like. This is something that we realized and are seeking to change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.collectoshop.com
- Email: customercare@collectoshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collecto__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collectoshop/
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