Interview: Donielle Brooke of 'Designer Wardrobe'.

In 2013, while battling thyroid cancer, Donielle Brooke launched 'Designer Wardrobe' as a small Facebook group for her friends to trade designer clothing. Flash-forward two years, with nearly 40,000 members now on the original Facebook site and 10,000 traders on the newly launched website, Designer Wardrobe is fast changing the way in which NZ women can shop online.

COUP DE MAIN: For those who don't know, what's the story behind Designer Wardrobe?
DONIELLE BROOKE: I started Designer Wardrobe 2 years ago. I had always dreamt of someone having a website to sell beautiful second-hand clothes and it just never got created. So I thought, why not make a Facebook group that my friends and I can use? Before I knew it my group had thousands of members! I had lots of time to spend on curating it because I was also going through thyroid cancer - DW kept my mind busy! After a year my partner Aidan got involved to help turn this into something really special - the Facebook group just wasn't doing the trick. We created a website and now we have over 20,000 members and get over half a million hits on it a month. This is only the start, I'm so excited to keep creating DW into something very special.

CDM: What has been your best ever fashion find?
DONIELLE: That’s a hard one - I think It has to be my Karen Walker biker jacket because it’s super warm, and classic! I’ve worn it every Winter for about 5 years now! While putting my everything into DW I had to sell it and regretted it straight away. I did a massive hunt on DW and ended up finding another one ha ha!

CDM: Top tip for online shopping?
DONIELLE: ShopBop has all the best classic but high-end clothes that will cost slightly more, but last you years. Then check out DW for some amazing pre-loved designer clothes! I get my going out dresses on there, because I can then re-sell it if I'm over it after one wear! Smart shopping is the way to go!



CDM: What's your style philosophy?
DONIELLE: I keep it pretty classic - I love just wearing jeans, sneakers. And normally with a patterned top and a timeless jacket if it’s Winter!

CDM: Can you share one piece of advice for people who may want to pursue a similar career to you?
DONIELLE: You need to 100% believe in what you’re about to create, because you are about to put your everything into it, it will push you in ways you haven't experienced but you will only grow from it and it’s all worth it! I also think (if it’s possible) not to over think it all and take each week as it comes.

CDM: If we peeked into your wardrobe, what one thing would we be surprised to find?
DONIELLE: My Mum would be surprised to find her clothes I've collected from her over the years! Anyone who knows me wouldn't be surprised to find anything that isn't really 'me' because I'm constantly cleaning out my wardrobe and only own things I love! I keep it simple.

CDM: If you could pick any three ladies to be in your girl gang, who would you choose?
DONIELLE: I have the perfect girl gang, but if I had to pick some famous gals I think it would be Cara Delevingne because she's a babe and super badass. Then it would be Sophia Amoruso because her story about how she started Nasty Girl Is very inspiring, and Miranda Kerr because she has a big heart & she's very healthy and loves yoga.



CDM: What is your quintessential Girl Power song?
DONIELLE: Hmmm I guess The Runaways - 'Cherry Bomb'!

CDM: If you could live in any year or decade purely for the clothing, when would it be and why?
DONIELLE: I would go to the 70s because I am attracted to that look, but my dress sense is unintentionally influenced by the 90s so I'd pop there as well!

CDM: This a question we're asking everyone for our next issue: Do you think gender equality exists or doesn't exist?
DONIELLE: In my experience as a Founder of a start-up working in mostly a male dominated industry, I have found that everyone has been very respectful and supportive of me being a woman in my position.

designerwardrobe.co.nz