Welcome to Georgetown, a neighborhood with a legacy as deep as the Potomac River that borders it.

This historic district has long been a crossroads for politics, culture, and style.

Georgetown isn't just a place.

It's a story woven from the lives of the people who have called it home over the centuries.

Georgetown origins date back to 1751, making it older than Washington, D.C. itself.

I've worked in the fashio industry for the past 25 years, and one of the things that I loved was helping my clients pick out clothing that express the real them.

Secondly, I love sustainability.

The location that we're going to today is a gem known for fashion and sustainability.

Welcome to another episode of Neighborhood Favorites.

I am your host, George Worrel and today we are in the heart of Georgetown, outside Redd trading and sustainable resale.

It's been a gem here i the Georgetown area for decades.

Come on, let's go in.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

How are you?

Great.

How are you, ma'am?

Good to see you.

Now, look, you know I'm always coming by.

And thank you so much for showing me around.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm excited about it.

And we're starting with my favorite item.

Shoes.

Of course.

What better way to start than a classic Chanel palm?

We have so many great offerings here for our customers.

This is just our woman shoes right now.

Okay.

We have a nice leather mule sneakers.

I mean, many offerings, of course, at great prices that you're not going to find anywhere else.

And our goal here is just to try to offer something for anyone.

You know, if you're a sparkly girl, we have you covered.

Okay.

A sneaker girl, we have you covered.

You know, and.

Yeah, that's just really what, one of Reddz details.

So you can just head to toe here.

So.

Yeah.

Sweaters, I see.

Jewelry.

Yeah.

I see that you have a designer collection here.

Yeah.

Take me on a home tour.

Okay.

We can definitely do that.

So this is our design and collection.

It's a mix of men's.

Women's.

Well, you know, these days, genderless.

Honestly.

Okay.

This is a men's suit, so I'm not that.

What are your thoughts about that?

What are your thoughts about genderless.

And I love.

It.

Being able to wear exactly what you want to wear.

And it feels good and looks good on you.

I thought that you shouldn't be conformed by, you know, like the whole, if this is a mensa or this is a woman's t shirt, like even some of our customers, they'll come in here.

They're asking me like, is this is for men's, for women.

I'm like, well, did you try it on?

How did you feel in it?

Shouldn't that be the ultimate goal, like feeling comfortable in your own skin and in the clothing?

Yeah.

So like, technically, yes.

This is a Gucci shirt.

Okay.

It is a men's shirt.

But you could also wear it as, like an oversize t t shirt.

I mean, yeah, for, and even this whole rack, it's Gucci.

It's a mixture of different designers.

And which is what we really try to offer here at Reddz.

You know, we want to offer good quality luxury pieces, but affordable prices, while also promoting the idea of sustainability and reusing and repurposing fashion.

Yeah.

You know, so, like I said, you could this is, it's a Hawaiian shirt, but style the right way.

You can wear it.

Any season and people travel.

So let me just ask you something.

So when people come in, what's the difference between, you know, resale, consignment, all of those kinds of things because you're not a consignment.

We are not.

And I'm so happy you asked that.

So I would say the biggest difference with consignment you bring you.

So you bring your items to someone and then you enter into a contract.

You don't get paid until the item sells.

So let's say the item was to go like if they have to mark it down and the onus is on you as the seller, so you're going to take the loss with us.

We're paying you straight right there for the item.

You can either get cash or trade.

The trade is a higher percentage, but with that idea is just that there's it's there's the transparency right there.

Like you know how much you're going to get.

Yeah.

You know how much we're going to sell it for.

You know it's a very it's a very, I would say a unique relationship because you have to trust that I'm trying to give you the best price for what you can get, but also because we're not we are buying it right out.

We have to price it very sharply.

So let me ask you this.

You is your I trained like for being a stylis or doing a window or something.

And Nate.

And I you.

Know what.

So like when you see a piece like if I come in and I'll be like, hey, I want you to buy my whole outfit.

How do you determine if this is something that one you want to buy, right.

What the value is of it.

You know what I mean?

Yeah.

I mean, all those things are coming into play because I'm alway when I'm up here at the counter, it's also kind of, it's a learning experience for the seller because I would say the biggest thing people don't quite understand is that retail value and resale value completely different things.

So you can have like Gucci, right?

Or like Ferragamo they have similar price points.

If anything, Ferragamo costs more.

But in the resale market, Gucci has like higher value.

So we would price Gucci items higher than, Ferragamo item even if they're for a gala item.

Had the original higher retail price.

And I would say it's just also about you really have to stay current on trends.

One will sell.

What will sell or wha also keeping, you know, an idea of how much inventory we have, what we already have in here, or like trying to imagine what customer is going to buy this item, you know.

And the condition, right.

Especially the condition because I feel people think it's resale.

Yes.

But you'd be surprised peopl still want like basically like, you know, like gently worn, you know.

Yeah.

So I think it's just like any other thing.

It's like minute you drive your car off the lot, it's not new anymore.

So it's the same thing with clothing.

So it's kind of some pieces depreciate while other things are kind of an investment.

This is wonderful.

I'm looking forward to you taking us through the rest of the store.

See, you have minced up too.

We do, we do.

And I have some pieces for you to love.

It.

You know, there's something that we rarely see in resale.

Is binge.

The part?

Yes.

It's usually just women.

But I'm excited you picked out some pieces for me.

I do, I did, and now we are.

Men's section is very small but mighty.

I like to say, you know, it's very curated.

We have great shoe offerings, Gucci, Valentino.

And then I picked out a few nightfall pieces for you that, you know, you can transition with other pieces in your world already.

I'm going to try to you manufacture.

Oh of course.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

Let's do that.

I'm excited.

So tell me why we're doing this about your feelings about sustainability.

So I, I would say it's it was already a passion of mine.

And which is why I love working in the resale, business, because it's combining love of fashion with, you know, sustainability.

Wow.

So it's actually a it's a good fit.

Yeah.

I love the corduroy.

You know.

I like this is a great color.

Yeah.

And I just think that fashio shouldn't like I hate the whole, the wear once movement, you know, like, why are we doing that?

I love my coat.

And if especially if you're investing in your pieces, yo should be able to wear it a lot.

That's why even with us here, we we we don't we try to stay away from fast fashion, you know, because our whole thing.

Fast fashion.

Okay.

So fast fashion is really.

It's the same thing as, like fast food, right?

You could go.

So do you think I eat what were you saying that.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Like the next the next up would be Salvation Army.

Which is fine.

Right.

Salvation Army because you're not going to find things any cheaper for these prices at this quality.

Yeah definitely for the designer.

Yeah.

So you could take $70 and go to another store, maybe get a jacket that might not last you over a year, or you could take that same $70 and go into, resale store and really invest in a piece.

And now you're going to have this for.

Like five, one of a kind.

Exactly.

And if it's lasted this long.

Right.

You can imagine with care how long it's going to last.

Exactly, exactly.

Holler and all of these things.

Yeah.

You can just go I love this because to all of everything at night two.

And that's just the whole idea of like reuse and repurposing, you know, like.

40 bucks.

For the, wool and suede suede.

And it's my size.

I can that for you.

Me for me.

Yeah, me with me.

So I just so when people are coming here and they're thinking about it and you know, about clothing and doing things, redoing the closet.

So now.

So you're lookin at your closet, your stuff out.

What do you sugges that people think about buying.

You think because maybe you have some summer pieces here.

You can do it.

You can do you can't.

Well I mean I feel like well right now it's fall.

So honestly it's just about layering.

You can still wear your summer pieces, but maybe like, layer a turtleneck underneath, or maybe just put on a you can still wear your summer dress, put on a nice suede jacket or a leather jacket, and they're you're dressed for the fall.

So what do you feel about rules?

So when we talk about rules, I you know why.

No, no, no, I don't want to hear it.

I don't want to hear it.

Okay.

What do you feel about it?

I, I know how I feel about it.

I just think that you should wear one which your comfortable.

Yes.

And also to what you feel that's appropriate for you.

Yeah.

I feel when I think of I think clothing is just expressing yourself.

Right.

And I feel which there's this thing where people try to make it seem like fashion is trivial, but it's not becaus you're making a first impression and you're expressing yourself.

Like we all know, there's nothing like I can.

Still, if I meet someone for the first time, I can remember what they had on, you know, and this isn't from a vain point of view.

It's just that you're.

I just you're expressing yourself.

And that's what I'm going to remember.

It's like leaving your calling card.

So I don't think that I don't believe in rules.

The only rule should be truly being comfortable.

And how does it make you feel?

If you feel good, then you're.

It's fine.

Like even someone like me, like, you know, I'm a I'm a bigger girl.

And there's a lot of these rules that like, oh, she shouldn't wear that or I don't show this or don't show that, but I'm just like, if I feel good and I think I look good, I don't really care about what rules should be.

But it's also a myth to that.

Yeah.

Ever size for a woman is not zero.

It is a 1413.

Enough.

Okay, that is the average size.

So what I was saying that those that anyone smaller or only people smaller than 1 would be able to enjoy fashion.

No.

Yeah.

No.

So we're looking at men's stuff.

But I also something caught my pockets like this.

We talked about we're talking about the little black dress.

Oh no.

But this is.

Exactly.

So this is insane.

You know, you can.

It's very rich.

It's very it's very retro, but still modern, you know, which I love.

Yeah.

And though and it's a more contemporary piece, but it kind of reminds me of, like, a very old glam silhouette.

Yeah.

So you can do that with, like, some pumps for evening.

Yeah.

And you can actually do it with tights.

You can do it with tights.

You could also honestly put on do a boot, make it a little edgier.

Okay.

And then depending on what you layer it with.

Yeah I'm shopping for sure.

This is, this is great.

Great.

And then the leather I love I love, love leather.

I feel like you're definitely going to be seeing leather a lot.

And you're talking about 70 bucks.

Yeah.

Yeah.

For the coupons.

Yeah I mean.

This is amazing.

This is amazing.

So this is.

There's so many great finds an honestly, these are like this.

Mind you, this is at the high end of our price points.

So like an average piece here would probably be about 20 or $30 okay.

So like anyone anyone ca come in here and find something.

Let's hope this is amazing.

Thank you for showing me the misery.

You know, for selling with me.

Yes.

They have to.

So it looks like we're going to have a fashion show.

And first we have Madison.

Wow.

This is great I love.

Thank you, thank you, ultimate street.

Okay, so tell me about what is this, a goofy jacket?

Does your jacket check the inside?

No.

Okay.

Put you back.

Okay.

And there she.

Is.

Wow.

Turn around for me.

So this can be at work, and yo can button it up into a scarf, and then you can go out for cocktails.

Exactly.

Right, I love it.

This is great.

Thank you.

It's all affordable, which is great.

Exactly.

It's sustainable.

Exactly.

Oh come.

On.

Oh, perfect.

Who do we have next?

Wow.

Oh, this is great.

So tell me about your outfit.

This is so.

Cool.

All of this is from here, and I know it's a fur, but it is very sustainable second hand for is the way to go.

Okay, the first from here.

The answer from here.

There.

What's this brand there?

Oak and force.

Okay.

The boots are shirts, and then the, top is Alexa.

All right, so do it tomorrow.

Oh.

And sunglasses.

So we are.

Perfect.

This is great.

So come back, Madison so we can see you all together.

This is perfect weather and I love it.

Thank you.

We came to a really, really wonderful part of this tour of Reddz.

Thank you to the owner, Wendy Reddz and I am so fascinated.

One with the store and your background and, you know, in the fashion game that you were the owner of.

Up against the wall.

Up against the wall and Commander Salamander.

Wow.

Tell me about that.

So.

Well, let's see, my husband started that and years ago.

Oh my God, in late late 60s, like the very last part, you could be in the 60s and, they, he and his partner started a store and, it was very successful.

So on Elm Street, the rent was 175 a month.

170.

$175, dollars a month.

Wow.

Okay.

And it was right on Elm Street, right near the corner of, Wisconsin.

And M and, I was a teacher at the time.

And one day I came home fro work and I said, you know what?

I, I quit my job today.

I'm not going to be a teacher next year.

I'm going to be the buyer, the women's buyer for Up Against the Wall.

My husband said, what, are you crazy?

I said, no, I'm I'm going to do it.

We're going to have women's clothes.

And back then there was a lot of unisex clothes and not so much women's, but more men's, you know, and that was sort of the start of the journey.

Wow.

So what was it about you that attracted you and knew that you had what it took to for fashion and to be the buyer and to know that that's something that you could do coming, you know, being a teacher.

Well, okay, so my mother was from New York and she and I grew up in Wilmington, Delaware.

My mother absolutely refused to buy one item of clothing in Wilmington, Delaware.

We had to go to New York so we would drive to New York was only two hours away, and we go to bond would tell her or Saks or Bloomingdales.

And I sort of knew that I had that.

My mother had that knack.

She was such a fabulous dresser, and I, I got it from her.

Yeah, sure.

Up against the wall.

How did you think about, you know, resale?

Rent.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

After up against the wall, I needed to do something.

I like to work.

I like to do things.

So I called a friend of mine.

They had a store in Pittsburgh, and I said, oh, I'm really interested in sustainability, because at the time, that was like an important thing.

The environment and all this stuff was very important and it was important to me.

And so I said, I want to learn about your store.

And he said, well, I want to open a store in DC.

So he came down when we found a location and we opened a store and, I decided that his store was a little bit, lower.

And then what I wanted to be, I wanted to be everything to everybody.

So I didn't want to just have one kind of clothes.

I wanted to have clothes that were inexpensive, medium price and high price.

So I wanted to appeal to a wider audience.

So I said, so I, a friend o mine came into the store one day and she bought all this really nice Chanel stuff in, and it sold right away.

And I said, all right, this is it.

We're going to be a little bit higher end, and we're going to make it work.

How did you determine that?

You were not you were doing resale as opposed to consignment?

Okay.

So consignment mean that you bring your clothes in, you sign a contract and then you when it sells in the store, you get paid.

I wanted my frien who had his store in Pittsburgh.

He paid right outright.

And he said, it's just so much easier, a lot less paperwork.

What if something gets stolen and then you have to pay the person for the, you know, i they bring in an expensive bag?

And I said, you know what, I'm going to try this.

Even though it's a, you know, a much higher end than what he was doing, I'd have to pay out a lot more money.

But it turns out that it is so much easier.

And, I feel like people like it because they get paid for the way they get.

Paid right away.

And, you know, if it doesn't sell, it's that's my problem.

And, you know, so.

But you've developed your eye and your staff has developed their, they pretty much know which is going to sell.

Right?

Yeah.

So it's innate in your I asked you this earlier about, you know, our viewers are going to be looking and I always want to, have people hopefully that they have that moment for people that are thinking about going into retail thinking about opening a store, what are the things that attracted you aside from your passio that says, I'm going to do this?

Well, if it's good, if it makes it, if it doesn't, I would.

Advice would you give someone women, men?

But you know, to say that I want to start the store.

I want to do something.

Well, I mean this business to start what wasn't, like, really, really hard, because it was more like getting the clothes.

That's that's how we had to store it.

We had to have people coming in and and filling up the store with clothes.

I think it's not, it's business is not easy.

Especially in this environment, rents are really high.

So you have to, you know, be able to negotiate and talk to your landlord.

And, you have to keep your expenses low, so that you can make money.

That's the only way you can make money.

But it's really, it's really nice.

I know a lot of young women who have started a business like this.

So a few people I know that have started just high end purses, and then they just decided to to do it that way.

Yeah.

So it's it's not it's not super hard.

You have to be diligent.

You have to work really hard.

It's not like you can just come in and do it.

It's like 24 seven.

You're working and when you're sleeping, you're worried about it, okay?

And you're picking good people that see the vision and buying in to what you have to.

You have to pick people that like, sort of understand fashion and, have an eye for fashion.

You have to have a good eye.

You have to be able to change a mannequin.

You have to be abl to put something on a mannequin.

And the next customer.

I want that.

I want that outfit.

Can you please take it off?

And that happens all the time here.

As soon as we change the mannequin, we have to take the clothes off.

But that's okay.

We're happy to do it.

Oh my God.

Well, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us.

And, I love your spirit.

I love the happiness that radiates.

Is it from your work that you do that.

I'm just a happy person.

I love it, I love it, so thank you again.

Thank you for taking the time.

Sure.

Thank you.

Some of these things with me.

Okay.

Good.

Right.

We've had an amazing time here at Reddz talking about fashion and sustainability.

Hopefully you will tune in to the next episode of Neighborhood Favorites.

I'm your host, George Worrel We'll see you next time.