“In France, buying secondhand is like a national sport. If you buy something brand new, it’s only because you didn’t find it secondhand.”

Valerie is 53 years-old and was born and was raised in France. Today she lives in in Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland.

Her mum used to saw all her clothes and was an avid reader of fashion magazines. Valerie got the love of handmade stuff and fashion style from her.

Valerie has a bachelor’s degree in history of art and acquired 30 years of work experience in different fields and countries, working as a sales representative in retirement homes, a PA of an ambassador, and a bookseller.

She moved to Ireland in 2004, for “luv” because, as she says, she is an incurably romantic French woman.

In 2021, she finally landed her dream job, running a secondhand shop. She manages a charity shop that raises funds for the National Council of Ireland (www.ncbi.ie and @ncbi_retail on social medias).

Last Summer, a family from Colorado walked into the charity shop looking for clothes for their daughter who was starting her first job after their trip in Ireland, and they were looking for work outfits. First job in secondhand clothes, how awesome is that?! Valerie gave them a hand and they started chatting. The dad explained to her how great thrifting is in Colorado, and Valerie told him she heard of it through a podcast called “Get Thrifty!” When they said their goodbyes, she told them that she hopes to go to Colorado one day.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS & TAKEAWAYS:

• How charity shops work in Ireland.
  
• Just like arc, charity shops in Irleand are very inclusive and often employ people with disabilities.
• How secondhand gifting is viewed in France and Ireland.
• Celebrating “the new generation of charity shops” in Ireland.
• How reselling online differs in Ireland.
• Attracting young secondhand shoppers.