Today we’d like to introduce you to Rossanna Ceccato.
Hi Rossanna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have had the privilege of working in the fashion industry for over 15 years, gaining valuable experience through more than 8 diverse retail and wholesale ventures across Venezuela, Colombia, and the US. Throughout my journey, I have successfully manufactured, sold, and resold over 2 million garments for my clients.
What sets me apart is my personal journey as a former compulsive fashion consumer. Like many others, I found myself accumulating an overwhelming amount of clothing that was rarely worn or, in some cases, never worn at all. It pained me to think of donating or discarding these pieces because they were still new or nearly new.
However, selling them proved to be an unappealing option as the returns would be minimal. It was during my transition to the U.S. that I discovered a remarkable fact: there are more than 74 million second-hand apparel-friendly consumers in the country. Many of them faced the same frustration when attempting to monetize their unused items.
The prevailing issue was that even with the money earned from resale sites, it would take selling multiple pieces just to acquire something equivalent to what they had originally bought. This realization sparked a memory from my youth when I used to exchange clothes with my cousins for our friends’ parties. It was a delightful and cost-effective way to enjoy different outfits without breaking the bank.
However, I quickly understood the limitations of traditional swaps. Not everyone has relatives with the same body type, age, and style preferences. People come in all shapes and sizes, with unique tastes, making it nearly impossible for a large-scale swapping platform to be truly effective.
That’s when I decided to conduct a simple experiment. I purchased a variety of dresses and invited some of my Instagram followers to my place, encouraging them to bring their gently used clothes for an impromptu exchange. By curating a diverse inventory with dresses of different sizes and styles, there was something for everyone to immediately swap. This experience inspired the creation of Redress, a digital platform where users can exchange their high-quality, barely used garments for items from our constantly replenished inventory, which is enriched by our own users’ contributions.
Through Redress, we have established a thriving one-sided marketplace, continuously renewed by the trade-ins of our amazing users. Our swappers have the opportunity to revitalize their wardrobes, recouping up to 90% of the original cost of their used garments while discovering equivalent or even better pieces. By participating, they also make a positive impact on the planet by reducing their carbon footprint.
At Redress, our goal is to provide a friendly and sustainable solution that benefits both fashion enthusiasts and the environment. We believe in the power of fashion to inspire and empower, and we’re thrilled to create a community where style, affordability, and conscious consumption align harmoniously.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a woman and Latina who immigrated to the US, I faced my fair share of challenges. Many people questioned why I didn’t pursue a more traditional path, like opening a beauty parlor, instead of daring to disrupt an entire industry.
But I was determined to prove them wrong. Through perseverance and hard work, I not only earned acceptance into one of the largest and most prestigious startup accelerators but also graduated from it. With unwavering hope and dedication, we officially launched Redress in July 2022. Since then, we have achieved remarkable milestones.
To date, we have facilitated over 5.5k paid swaps, and what’s even more impressive is that over 50% of our users return for more. This incredible level of engagement speaks to the value and satisfaction our platform brings to our community. Additionally, we have successfully opened our first flagship store—a true lab where we continuously experiment and analyze our customers’ behaviors to enhance their experience.
In recognition of our innovative approach, Redress was honored to be invited as a speaker at the TEDx Game Changers edition talks. This incredible opportunity allowed us to spread our vision and inspire others with our belief that we can revolutionize the fashion industry.
Nowadays, Redress is part of the entrepreneurial program “Latinos Business Action Network” in colab with Stanford University, a program that accelerates Latino driven startups and growing businesses in the US.
At Redress, we embrace diversity, challenge the status quo, and empower individuals to make a positive impact on the way we consume fashion. With a friendly and inclusive mindset, we are excited to continue our journey, creating a better world, one dress at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Redress?
Do you ever feel like you have nothing to wear, even though your closet is overflowing? It’s a common struggle shared by 80% of women. The influence of social media has made us reluctant to be seen in the same outfit more than once, leading to a buildup of mint-condition garments that remain untouched in our closets for years.
You may have tried to do something with the clothing you no longer use, exploring secondhand platforms, only to end up feeling frustrated. Resale sites offer you a meager fraction—30% or less—of the original cost of your pieces. Renting your clothes also doesn’t allow you to fully monetize what you already have in your closet. And traditional swap services have been limited to one-to-one matching transactions, making it challenging to find suitable matches.
Redress is here to revolutionize the way you approach your wardrobe. Our platform allows you to immediately exchange your barely-used garments for pieces in our constantly replenished inventory. You can finally refresh your wardrobe without spending a fortune, while also recouping up to 90% of the original cost of your items. It’s like getting a brand-new outfit, or even something better, for what you no longer need.
Not only will you benefit personally, but you’ll also contribute to a positive change for the planet. With every 1,000 Redress swaps, our community saves over 1,000 pounds of fashion waste from ending up in landfills. We also conserve approximately 18,000 gallons of drinking water and reduce around 4,000 pounds of CO2 in carbon footprint.
Join our vibrant and friendly Redress community today and be part of the movement to transform the way we consume fashion. Together, we can make a difference—one dress at a time.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
A glass of malbec listening to the Gypsy Kings with my husband and girls at my side.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.myredress.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myredressofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myredress
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myredressofficial/
