Luxury consignment boutique Street Commerce now open near Uptown

Why it matters: The fashion industry is having a reckoning, with calls to create more sustainable and inclusive practices. Street Commerce embraces global fashion but, as a consignment shop, offers it in a way that creates less waste and at a more accessible price point.

• And while most of the luxury consignment shop’s items are from the men’s section, the owners put less emphasis on gender and more on finding what fits your style and body, regardless how you identify.

What: Street Commerce has everything from Chanel bags to Gucci shoes to lesser known designer jeans and clothing. All items are new or gently used and marked down 30-60% from the retail price. Anyone can bring their items in for consideration.

• Marculino said he loves talking to clients about each item’s story — where it’s from, who made it, and even why it’s priced a certain way.

Background: Love and Marculino started Street Commerce with a small collapsable rack of clothes. They went to New York and saw an Alexander McQueen documentary that lit the fire. They held pop-ups and fashion shows and eventually moved into a small space off West Morehead.

• They opened their new brick-and-mortar location 325 E. 9th St. in June.

In-house designer: Fashion designer Jahzar Joseph has his own shop in the back of SC and does custom merch for the store. He’s also the owner of Fine Britches. He’s worked with Love and Marculino since their West Morehead days after meeting at a show in 2018.

• Right now he has unisex velour track suits in two colorways (black and red or pink and blue), shirts inspired by his dad’s own artwork, and other custom casual wear.
• His business has grown alongside SC’s, and he’s gone from sewing the garments by hand to outsourcing to keep up with demand. “I’m just pushing out whatever’s in my brain and I’m happy people like it,” Joseph said.

Pop-ups: Love and Marculino have done pop-ups from North Carolina to L.A. The pop-ups are a fully immersive experience, with a fashion show, vendors and a concert at the end. Joseph described the events as a “junction of creativity.”

• They also allow designers and consigners to pop up in their store. “We know how it feels to have one rack in your room and not know where to go,” Marculino said.

Zoom out: Entrepreneurs with a passion for fashion have helped create a modern, diverse fashion scene in Charlotte. Poole Shop and Capitol put Charlotte on the map as a fashion city and newcomers, like Ponybox, have made sustainability and affordability a focus.

• Shops like Juicy Body Goddess and Worthy Figures offer fashionable plus-size clothing so those without thin privilege can shop in stores — and find clothes they actually like.
• More reading: 5 sustainable fashion brands in Charlotte, plus tips for eco-friendly shopping

What’s next: Street Commerce is hosting a fashion show dinner at Bardo on August 18. Each course is inspired by a designer, highlighting cuisine from their region. While the dishes come out, models will be wearing clothes by that designer. Tickets are $175 and will be available soon.

• Street Commerce hopes to expand to New York and Europe.

Details: The exact address is 325 E. 9th St. SC is open noon to 7pm Tuesday-Thursday and noon to 8pm Friday-Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Here’s a look around the store.