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Breakfast with Trouva
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Online platform Trouva is the home of over 350 independent boutiques where you can discover design-led fashion, lifestyle and homeware products. Trouva’s team of curators handpicks the best products from the best boutiques, each with an individual and distinctive aesthetic, to ensure a high level of quality and uniqueness.
Read on to learn more about Trouva ahead of this season’s show, when it will host a special Buyers Breakfast exclusively for retailers.
What’s the story behind Trouva? How did it start?
Trouva was set up in 2015 by co-founders Mandeep Singh and Alex Loizou, who have backgrounds in retail and technology, and were therefore well placed to launch a platform that genuinely helps independent bricks-and-mortar boutiques thrive.
In launching Trouva they wanted to give independent retailers the same reach and digital economies of scale that bigger retailers have access to.
How would you describe the business ethos?
Our mission is to enable independent retail to thrive in the world’s creative neighborhoods. By providing boutiques with tech, we are building a thriving community of independent shops and shoppers united by a passion for unique products. We champion independent stores by merging the worlds of offline and online and giving them a global audience, whilst retaining their individual identities.
Our shoppers are united by a desire for difference. Uncovering design, fashion and lifestyle pieces that you can’t find on Oxford Street. They are resolutely anti-same and relentlessly anti-chain.
What was your background?
Prior to Trouva, I worked with a number of retailers including John Lewis and Net-a-Porter whilst at creative agency My Beautiful City, and at Jack Wills, where I was marketing manager for a couple of years.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Our community of boutiques provide daily inspiration for me. Behind the doors of the 400+ shops we work with are some of the most inspiring creatives and best buyers in the world. I also love going to shops such as Mag Culture and Liberia. I try and visit every month as my inspiration often comes from flicking through books and magazines.
Why is it important to visit trade shows?
Trade shows are a fantastic way to keep on top of up-and-coming trends and emerging talent. They also provide an opportunity to meet the faces behind the brands and widen your database of contacts.
What do you love about Scoop? What sets us apart from other trade shows?
The selection of international brands and the incredible setting of the Saatchi Gallery. It’s inspiring to see the labels amongst the artwork.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Scoop this season?
I always look forward to the inspiring mix of brands at Scoop but this year in particular I’ll be making sure not to miss the Australian footwear brand Sol Sana. It’s also a great opportunity to catch up with boutiques from the Trouva community, such as Nooki Design and Charli.
Do you have a favourite place to shop apart from Trouva… i.e. a fashion independent?
Plenty, but to name just two: Wild Swans, which has the best selection of Scandinavian fashion in London, and Our Daily Edit in Brighton, which always seem to be ahead of the curve when it comes to international designers that are on the way up.
Describe your personal fashion style in five words?
Elegant with a Scandi twist.
Greatest achievement so far for Trouva?
Driving millions of pounds of additional revenue to our shops which would have otherwise ended up in the chains’ pockets. Making a real difference to our shopkeepers’ lives makes me proud of what we do.
What would you say is the secret to Trouva’s success?
The people, the challenge and the passion we have as a team to secure an independent future for our community of shops.