Depop is one of the world’s fastest growing e-commerce sites. The peer-to-peer e-global social community enables people to buy, sell, and connect with fashion.

Final year Advertising and Brand Management student Lydia Ball has managed to establish a successful second-hand vintage clothing business on the platform. “My clothing business sells a range of unique vintage items, from bags and accessories to coats and leather jackets,” explains Lydia, “and all items featured on my clothing site are styled and photographed by myself”.

Lydia launched the business during the first Covid 19 lockdown in March 2020, with a few personal clothing items that hadn’t seen any wear. That initial experience was the spark to grow the business and established it as a small, yet successful, online vintage store.

Lydia describes the motivation to scale up the business, “I have always had a strong passion for sustainable fashion and purchasing items from second – hand stores, as well as supporting those smaller businesses within the fashion market.”

The first lockdown in 2020 provided the perfect opportunity for Lydia to dedicate time to launching her own independent business, “I had so much time for self –progression and proactivity,” she says, “I decided to act on my passions and skills for branding and marketing to launch my business. With the lockdown also pushing consumer demand for sustainability and the obvious shift into online shopping, I felt this was a gap in the market that I could fit into!”

Lydia highlights consistency, commitment, and perseverance as essential skills for business success, alongside strong communications with customers and buyers, “I always ensure I create a good rapport with both potential and current buyers, as it can lead to a major sale or even a repeat purchase from current buyers as they can trust and connect with me as a seller.”

After graduation Lydia has her sights set on working in a creative advertising or marketing role within a sustainable fashion industry in the North-West. “I feel my business demonstrates my entrepreneurial and enterprising abilities,” Lydia explains, “I have managed to develop a small successful business from practically ‘nothing’ and I feel it has offered me many valuable skills in which I can take into the workplace.”

Find out more about Lydia’s Depop webshop here: https://www.depop.com/lydiajacqueline/

Connect with Lydia at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiaball/