As the Web has made us a nation of bargain hunters to fashion designers

The Web has changed the face of fashion, and how we shop. But, says Harriet Walker, we have transformed into a nation of bargain hunters online to If the first model in fall 2012 Prada in Milan diamond-print shorts released in February last, I felt my hunger levels up and my wallet itch. . From the archives "at home, they refer to a similar design for the spring of 1996, and that evening took me some random eBaying directly to a pair of originals - cut to a different time, of course, and a bit too small , but I bought it anyway. For 50 pounds. six months prior to the latest version even appeared in the shops. I am not staying up all night and tender, I'm not much of a strategy. But last year, I ran a selection of designer items from eBay and similar sites - Gucci pants (they do not fit), a skirt Comme des Garcons, Ann Demeulemeester blazer one Nineties - all very easy to transport, all in very good condition and all for much less than you might expect to pay in a store. The role of the Internet in the democratization of high-end fashion is well documented, street-style blogs, listen to live broadcasts. But it also brought a generation of bargain hunters informed. Innovative and affordable new stores and retail concepts mean that even though traditional retailers re-adaptation to a cold climate, buyers can come around the clock to cyberspace cheap goods. Alex Fury, editor of LOVE, agrees: "I love eBay and discount websites, because you're a second chance to get the clothes that you missed the first time to buy back a wonderful thing for fashion, you know. often do not know how much you love something until you can no longer get. " How is the development of websites, hand-pass and the second season of high-end designer clothing with what is often confirmed only a fraction of the original price. Lian Michelson is the founder of the site Then and Now (thenandnowshop.com), sells the latest collections from labels like Rick Owens, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as parts of their back catalogs. "Fashion is cyclical and trends are often repeated," she explains. "Find the items in the last season for discounted rates that are consistent with what is not on the podium more difficult. "Then and Now consumers can during the season and the search through the latest trends to buy and offers to those who are more price sensitive with a piece of luxury for less." The Outnet (theoutnet.com) was the first to start one of these concepts, in April 2009. It takes more than 250 labels up to 70 percent off and clearance sales, which often hosts the crash site, the demand as by consumers. "You used to have to go out of town or to be taken in the sample of sales expertise," says managing director Stephanie Phair. "But the Internet has changed everything. I think there for our customers is an element of pride in finding fabulous designer piece spent the season at a good price." Names on the list include Alexander Wang, Marni and Martin Margiela, all for their aesthetics visible directional known. Usually these items reveals a no-no when it comes to shopping sale, but attitudes about whether parts are new or have not changed in appearance. Are "last season" is used to select one of the worst insults you could start in any way, "said Alex Fury." But today, people seem to like a dress to be beautiful rather than a knife-edge appeal. There is a sense of longevity luxury clothes that really mean you buy them in any season. " The abundance of discounted designer clothing site, which is six months old (or more) does not mean is exceeded, instead it was the smartest way to shop. If fast-fashion was with Bear Stearns to the tsunami of the credit crisis, then collect and cannily done with caution (not to mention an eye on your wallet whole) is that which has taken its place. And these kinds of sites have cashed in this very spirit of the times and offers affordable alternatives and the possibility to withdraw money from your existing wardrobe to earn. Stylesequel.com has a "Closet Concierge" service that collects your unwanted designer items and sells them online and never worn a cup awarded to the owners and the community. "There was an explosion in the online marketplace for second-hand in the last two years," says founder Emma Allen. "You can have a amazing selection of upscale fashion bargain at any time in each country to find. You do not have to pay thousands for a designer piece, you can get one to hundreds. I like to call" to the style of the Second Chance " . Allen started in 2005 by selling designer items on eBay, the site first hand and auction of its kind, the auction began in 1993. There is a thriving trade in second-hand designer items and box-fresh, from the classical name of the magazine continues: Type 'Rick' and 'Owens is the first term of the proposed research. There is a cult of buyers and sellers in the community, looking for relatives that the labels are often at prices far beyond their budget. "I'm good enough for eBay," admits the fashion photographer in Atlanta Rascher, "I have basically all my clothes for a while, then sell it again, I do not wear designer, but never spends a penny - I hate high street because.. to buy children's work and I can not afford a new one. "But I have a really nice coat of camel's hair Balenciaga 2005 collection recently purchased for 23 pounds. And a Lanvin fur coat for ￡ 350, down from ￡ 4000. I think sells the lady who has been through a divorce and needed money." Incredibly, an article of clothing sold on eBay every second, is a designer handbag every seven seconds, and over 700 dresses on the hour to sell. "People no longer walk into a store and buy a one-on-foot search of a mannequin," says Carrie Bienkowski, head of eBay UK fashion. "Shoppers have their own style and inspiration to win all over the internet. EBay allows people everything they need, to find high street must-haves this amazing bag from last season to find an excellent vintage." Fashion on the Internet is then one of the few cases of encouraging increased consumer choice and the power of the people in this regard. This does not mean that the observed stress, tendering and tender-cons is for everyone, but the Web has opened the way to a much wider audience. Beware of the heat of the hunt and a limit - many an avid eBayer end up paying a high price for something they do not really want. And Prada pants that be a warning: Ensure that you have to actually fit through.