Women in Business, May Feature: A la Mode Consignment

Located in Oak Bay Village A la Mode Consignment, Upscale Resale Boutique has been in business for over a decade. Providing sustainable fashion to the women of Victoria and supporting many local businesses, A la Mode is the place for you if you are in the market for beautifully pre-loved pieces and a friendly community who will always have you smiling.

Initially I had planned to sit down with Alexa in February however it was a busy month as was March (and April) so here we are in May, and I say, Now's as good a time as ever! Alexa has a bright and bubbly personality and she believes in the community of Oak Bay, she's friendly with her neighbours at shops like Ivy's Bookshop and is such fun to chat with.

What inspired you to start your business? A: I really wasn’t looking for anything at the time. Happy to be home, looking after my children and lucky to be able to do so. One night, 14 years ago, my husband and I parked in front of A La Mode and there was a ‘for sale’ on the door, written on an index card. I’m a 4th generation Oak Bayer so the location was a no brainer plus it was close to where we lived and where our children were at school. I’ve always loved fashion and started consigning my children’s clothes as soon as they outgrew them. It seemed like fate, so within a few weeks, it was a done deal! What have been your biggest struggles since starting your business?

A: Work/life balance. I’m a control freak and like things done a certain way and am very hard on myself if everything isn’t perfect. Working until 2 am at the store, then home to sleep for a couple of hours, then up to take kids to school etc… was a regular occurrence as well as working weekends. None of this was an expectation of my husband or family, it was me. I have learned, very slowly, that setting boundaries with myself and closing the store to watch my children in their various pursuits or to go on a holiday helps me to stay connected to the most important people in my life. Did you have any mentors or idolize anyone in fashion? A: For mentoring, Lynn that owned My Sister’s Closet was a godsend! I remember a particularly bad day at the store and I was crying and headed straight down to Lynn, whom I had never met but knew she had been around forever. I went in bawling and she got up from behind her desk, gave me a hug and listened to my tale of woe. She told me that there will always be people that you cannot make happy no matter what you do. So, do what is best for you and put that garbage in the can where it belongs! For fashion, my Nana. Honestly, she was an amazing dresser and had tremendous style. We would shop at Straith’s, Gibson’s here in Victoria; trips to Seattle and Palm Desert to buy her Ferragamo shoes. She always believed in quality over quantity and natural fibres like cashmere, cotton, linen and wool. When I got married in 1994, she was 92 and walked down the aisle in the most gorgeous Louis Feraud suit and Ferragamo shoes, she stole the show. I idolize and respect Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton. Although both deceased, their legacies have continued with intent and creativity. I’m a huge fan of the deconstruction of dress making that the McQueen label is notorious for. I love the history of Louis Vuitton. I’m a history nerd and am pursuing an associate degree from Oxford, and Louis Vuitton is steeped in history. I have several Louis Vuitton coffee table books and I’ve read them all! What was the most memorable piece you purchased?

A: The most memorable piece that was consigned was an 1928 Louis Vuitton, Lady’s Cabin Trunk. My client was the second owner, whose father had purchased the trunk in Leeds from an auction house. My client used the trunk to emigrate to Vancouver aboard the S.S. Orsova from Southampton through the Panama Canal to Vancouver in 1970. The trunk was made for a Lady of a house in London, and was purchased from the Bond Street Louis Vuitton store. Louis Vuitton keeps meticulous records, so I was able to contact the heritage department in Paris for information on the trunk. It was a fascinating journey for me and I was so proud to have it in my store. What is your most memorable sale? A: The sale of the trunk for sure! One of my very favourite clients started shopping with me the month after I bought the store, she was 78 at the time. She would come in every week and tell me stories of when she was a milliner. As she got less mobile, she and her daughter would come in every two weeks. Well, of course her daughter is just as fabulous and is a lover of all things Louis, so she bought the trunk. It couldn’t have gone to a better home and I will be forever grateful for that bond. What are your business goals for 2023? A: To keep delegating (haha), support the community that I love and am so thankful to be part of and keep mentoring my young staff so they feel inspired, heard and loved.

Have you been in to A la Mode? If not, I BEYOND suggest a visit. Alexa and her lovely staff will have you coming back time and time again for beautiful finds and good company.

Thanks for reading Women in Business and stay tuned for more.

Hannah, The Secret Robin