I interviewed students Jess & Krithika, founders of Solus Shop (@solus.shop), who started their Instagram business in 2017. These two fashion-savvy ladies scope out op shops all over Melbourne and overseas to find unique and chic second-hand clothing to sell on their Instagram, which has 2,000+ followers and counting. Here’s what these lovely ladies had to say about navigating the world of Instagram fashion business.

Can you tell us a bit about Solus Shop and how it came to be?

Solus began with our love of op shopping, we would spend days going to op shops around Melbourne. It was from here that we decided to start a business. Solus sells vintage and revamped clothing, we also specialise in hand embroidered t-shirts.

Did either of you have any prior business experience? And if not, how have you found setting up a business?

Both of us did not have prior experience in setting up a business, which we have found challenging at times. However it was dedication and a lot of research about prior start-up businesses that managed to really help us out. We also make sure to listen to our customers; it can be as simple as posting polls to see their preferred payment method.

What is the process of finding clothes to sell?

We have spent many hours and days at several op shops and also checking out wholesalers around Melbourne and overseas. We source our t-shirts from other people who have bought it in bulk and no longer need it so it doesn’t go directly to the retailers.

What are the benefits of running a business from Instagram?

Being able to directly communicate through the app with the customers. Having an instant click to show our followers what we are doing, how we are doing it and why we are doing it. We also have the opportunity to help contribute different beauty standards to Instagram which has become full of unrealistic expectations. We seek to have all different types of models and refuse to edit our pictures aside from filters.

How does this business concept fit within the current backlash against fast fashion?

Australian’s buy at an average 27 kilograms of new clothing each year and only 6000 kilograms goes to the landfill every 10 minutes, this was reported by ABC News report. We want our business to be able to reduce this number by reusing clothes to fit the new trends.

LOVE their work and what they’re doing to negate the effects of fast fashion. Check them out on their Instagram @solus.shop!