Why Nikki Co-Founder and Director of BLAEK Store Chooses Rntr. to Freshen Up Her Wardrobe
Meet Nikki, Rntr. enthusiast and co-founder/director of BLAEK store.
Photo: Tom Batrouney
Nikki Batrouney is an activist for all things sustainable, reusable and environmentally friendly.
She is the director and co-founder of the BLAEK Store, a shop that sells sustainable, ethical and organic clothing, homewares and other essentials. Roumage, a series of handmade silk pillowcases was also started by Nikki, and she has been featured on the Striding Forward Podcast series about Greenwashing.
Juggling full-time work as an Executive Assistant, running her own business and being a mum to her 2-year-old son she still manages to find time to sit down for a cappuccino and croissant on the weekends. Her philosophy in life is to live with purpose and to encourage others to do the same by “treating both people and planet with the love and respect they deserve”.
We connected with Nikki to dig deeper into what drives her and why renting with Rntr. fits in perfectly with her busy lifestyle.
The gorgeous Tote Modern A_C bag that Nikki rented for 1 month.
Photo: Nikki Batrouney
What is it about sustainable fashion that makes you passionate?
Knowing that what we choose to wear and the businesses we support can have a positive impact on people and the planet is something I'm really passionate about when it comes to sustainable fashion.
During Fashion Revolution Week you asked Victoria & Woods ‘Who made my Fabric?’ Why is it so important for you to be a part of the movement?
Fashion Revolution Week is such an important campaign and it’s something I'm conscious about every day, not just during the campaign week. It’s important for me to be a part of this movement for a few reasons, first and foremost I want brands to be more transparent about where their clothes are made and how their fabrics are made. We need to demand this transparency in order for change to happen within the fashion industry.
Second, it’s important to me to lead by example and hopefully, by putting myself out there and demanding answers from well known Australian brands it will encourage more people to question who made their clothes and bring more awareness to the impacts of fast fashion.
How did you discover Rntr.?
I found out about Rntr. at a dinner party for women founders!
That’s wonderful, can you describe your rental experience for us?
I’ve never rented anything before so this was a real first for me. I immediately loved that I had something new to add to my wardrobe without the hefty price tag. I’m usually the kind of person that wears something until it falls apart, quite literally while I’m wearing it, but renting through Rntr. opened my eyes to the possibility of not only having a fresh wardrobe but not harming the planet and not over-consuming, which are obviously my pet hates. I love the idea of having a new bag every couple of months instead of the same bag I've had for 6 years, not to mention the fact that it goes through multiple owners during its rental lifespan so you get to share the joy of the piece you’ve rented with others. Not many people are like me, not many people will wear something until it crumbles and so I think Rntr. is a really great option for those that like variety.
Why did you choose to rent, rather than buy the A_C bag?
One of the great things about renting is you literally can try before you buy. The A_C bag I chose is more on the expensive side, as it should be, it’s made from amazing cactus leather and handmade with care. It deserves that price tag, but it’s a lot of money to invest in when you don’t know if you’ll actually like the bag or whether you think it will serve its purpose. In my case, I wanted to try it out as an everyday bag and it went above and beyond in my opinion! I also have a perfectly good bag that I use every day and so I didn’t need a new bag which is why I decided to rent rather than buy.
What did you love about the bag?
I loved the size of the bag, it was perfect for day and night, it fit everything from my make up bag to my sons drink bottle and toys. I used it while we travelled and I used it every day at work. It truly was the perfect everyday bag for me.
What was your favourite outfit that you styled the handbag with?
I’m a massive outfit repeater, but the gorgeous A_C bag paired perfectly with a crisp white shirt with jeans and black boots.
What is next on your Rntr. ‘dream list’?
As I mentioned earlier, I'm new to the renting game, but I'd love to rent a complete outfit, something with multiple pieces that I can pair with existing items from my wardrobe.
In what way does rental enable you to consume clothes in a different way?
Fashion comes and goes and seasons change so renting enables you to keep staples in your wardrobe while elevating through statement pieces that you can share with other renters! It’s one of the best ways to consume less. We know that there is a huge throwaway culture and renting is a really great way to combat this.
What is your advice to someone who is thinking about renting an item (but is new to it)?
Be careful, it’s addictive! It’s also a great way to experiment with different styles and freshen up your wardrobe without breaking the bank or letting textiles go to waste. If you love something and don’t want to part with it once your rental period is up you can extend it and let the romance carry on.
2021 is an exciting year for Nikki, she is working on some ‘top secret’ offerings at BLAEK store over the next couple of months. To connect with Nikki and follow her journey click here.
To check out the complete rental collection from A_C follow this link.