The Hoxton Trend started out as a YouTube channel in 2015, simply as a hobby, mainly to showcase all the cool jackets I was getting in and trading. Since then, the channel has grown into somewhat of an advisory service; a go-to destination for men's premium fashion.
What do you guys do and why?
From when I started the channel in 2015, I realised how popular it was becoming, especially with the amount of contact I was receiving from my followers. Now, I have set up a small team in place to help me engage with brands and develop our business, so this leaves me with more time to create the content my followers love. We basically review men’s designer clothing, help our followers spot fakes, and inform our followers on where to find cool items and get good deals.
How did you choose the name?
I loved the name The Hoxton Trend years before I started making videos for YouTube, and I grew up in East London, often hanging out in Hoxton. Funny enough, it was the viewers that gave me the name Hoxton; it's become somewhat of a nickname.
Did something else come first before YouTube?
Lots of things came before YouTube. I was trading in hundreds of jackets before the videos came and before that I would run around Hoxton, Brick Lane and Aldgate, checking out wholesale shops for any things I could pick up on the cheap and sell for a little bit more. That’s how I started off, and that was from around 2005.
Have you ever had a run-in with buying fakes?
Yes, I purchased a Moncler Maya from eBay, Germany. In Germany, it's common to only accept cash transfers. They are pretty honest over in Germany, so I transferred the cash over and when the item arrived it turned out to be a completely different jacket. It was a fake Moncler I had never even seen before, and it turned out the seller was from Italy but listed it on eBay Germany.
Other people are doing the similar things to you guys, what makes you different?
There are lots of other people doing men’s fashion reviews, but I feel we are the only channel that really covers popular brands like Stone Island and Moncler. We also do lots of Fake vs. Real videos, and I think that what sets us apart is the level of engagement we have with our followers.
What background do you have in this field, how did you acquire it?
I’ve always been into clothing from a young age, my dad was into Fred Perry and some other Italian brands. He had a guy that used to sell him brands at his work and he always came home with fresh bits, I think that's when I really caught the bug. I have also worked for Ciro Citterio, French Connection and Selfridges, which is where I started to pick up a lot of knowledge about clothing in general.
What’s your favourite brand, and piece ever?
My favourite piece ever is probably my Belstaff Shearling Jacket, the same one Brad Pitt wore in Inglorious Basterds. It retailed for around £3000. It’s my fave piece and I would never sell it.
Depop loves Converse, and it’s easy to understand why—there’s nothing as versatile as a pair of Chucks, which makes them perfect for an experimental community made up of ever-changing styles, like ours.
With that in mind, we partnered with Converse to pair four top-Depop influencers with a style of Chucks from the Converse family we feel best represents them and asked each gal to tell us their #ForeverChuck story.
Each of our style influencers then got to personalise a room at the Ace Hotel in London to match their Chuck’s aesthetic and personal styles, and we were there to film what went down.
Emily J O’donnell Emily’s love of mixing high-end brands with streetwear made her an ideal match for Chuck Classics; perfect in its simplicity and made for self-expression.
“Fashion doesn’t define you; it’s a way of expression,” Emily says. “If I wake up and want to be a boy I am. If I want to be a girl, I put a dress on, and The Chuck Classic is so good for that.”
Betsy Johnson Taking inspiration from different decades, styles, colours, and moods, we paired Betsy with a pair of Chuck ’70s, an easy throwback addition to any vintage outfit.
“I’m all over ‘70s, ’80, and & ’90s, it’s a mashup and I change day-to-day.” Betsy says. “With my shoes I like to work with that whilst bringing something premium to it, and the Chuck ‘70s represent that for me.”
Yinka Bokinni We paired Yinka with Converse’s lightweight and comfortable Chuck II’s, just right for someone with Yinka’s fluid and experimental style.
Yinka says, “There’s nothing more sassy that rocking up to a red carpet event in a dress and Converse. It’s about being confident and comfortable in what you wear, that’s why the Chuck II works so well for me.”
Erika Bowes Inspired by her Japanese heritage and Japan’s juxtaposition of tradition and technological advancement, Chuck Moderns echo Erika’s style perfectly: classic with a modern twist.\
“Being half-Japanese, half-English, I feel very passionate about giving women of colour a platform,” says Erika. “Japan is so advanced in technology, and my style represents that with the Chuck Modern.”
Thank you to everyone involved in our #ForeverChuck partnership! We’re continuously inspired by our community’s fearless originality and style, which would be a little less Depop without Chucks :)
Domestic shipping prices in the UK is dependent on the size and weight of your item. Here are some general pricing suggestions based on our recommendation of second class recorded with The Royal Mail to get you started:
Remember, you can always go back and change the shipping prices in your shop once you’ve gotten a feel for average shipping costs and find a method you feel most comfortable with. Still not sure how to price something? Send an email to [email protected], and a member of the team will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Fresh in-app domestic shipping options for US users, via USPS
We’re happy to announce that US sellers now have the option to calculate shipping, print a shipping label and track your package, all in-app via USPS! (More options coming to more countries soon.)
How to list an item using in-app USPS shipping:
1. When listing an item for sale, tap "Delivery", turn on the Shipping toggle, and select "Ship with USPS"
2. Tap "Ship with USPS" and confirm or enter your shipping address
3. Tap "Package size" and choose the approximate size of the item you're selling. This will automatically set the shipping price for your item.
4. Tap "Who pays?" To charge your buyer for shipping, tap "Buyer pays for shipping". When a buyer purchases your item, we immediately deposit the money (item price and shipping cost) into your PayPal account, then take out the shipping cost and our usual 10% selling fee. Click "Save", continue setting up your listing and publish.
To pay for shipping yourself (offer free shipping), tap "I will pay for shipping". When you make a sale, we’ll deposit the item price into your PayPal account, then take out the shipping cost and our usual 10% selling fee.
To generate a shipping label in-app after you’ve made a sale, open the sales receipt (Profile > sold items > tap item) and tap "Activate Shipping label" or tap the floating icon on Android. This will generate a pdf of the shipping label, which you can print from your phone or email to yourself to print.
Stick the shipping label to your package using clear packing tape (USPS doesn't accept masking tape, electrical tape, etc.) and drop it off at the nearest post office or blue USPS collection box. Both you and your buyer will then be able to track the package in-app.
Already have your shipping system down? Don’t worry. You can still set your own shipping prices and ship whichever way works for you.
How to list an item and arrange your own shipping:
1. When listing an item for sale, tap "Delivery" and turn on the "Shipping" toggle.
2. Tap "Arrange my own shipping", and the "Manual Shipping" page will open.
3. To charge your buyer for shipping, tap "Domestic shipping price" and enter a price you feel comfortable with. Hit Save and continue with your listing.
Have questions or need clarification? [email protected] is here for you.
Hold tight. We're making some adjustments to Depop this coming Friday (23/12) from 3am to 12pm GMT. I'm afraid you won't be able to use Depop during this time - but don't worry - all of your items, likes, messages and importantly money are completely safe. Normal service will resume at 12pm.
We’re proud to announce that we’ll be holding our first-ever Christmas clothing drive at our London Headquarters, in support of the Syrian Refugee Crisis.
From Tuesday, December 13th, through Thursday, December 22nd, come by our London offices located in Shoreditch, and drop off any of the recommended items from the list below in exchange for A WEEK OF FREE FEES ON DEPOP.
What they need:
- Sleeping bags
- Blankets
- Waterproof jackets (particularly sizes small and medium)
- Backpacks (to be worn on the back, please do not bring suitcases)
- Good quality complete tents
- Good condition walking boots and trainers, European sizes 41-46 (preferably waterproof)
- Roll mats
- Wind-up torches
- Clean paired socks
- New underwear
- Tracksuit trousers
- Hiking trousers and jeans (waist 28'-36')
- Soap & shampoo
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Warm hats, gloves and scarves
- Women and children's clothes or shoes
It’s time to start gathering up those old winter coats you no longer wear, other warm winter accessories, and anything else from the list above that you’re willing to part with and bring them to Depop.
Come by our offices between December 13-22 any time between 10am-5pm BST. We’d love to see you and have you help us fill up this gigantic box!
Meet Milanese graphic designer and illustrator, Federico Monzani! Federico has been one of our favourite members of our Italian community for good reason—his cerebral illustrations combine form, color, whimsy, and, well, they just make us laugh. After admiring from afar, we sat down with Federico in Milan to find out more about his work and his process. (This interview has been translated from Italian)
Hey Federico! What’s your favourite animal?
The donkey. Donkeys aren’t taken seriously, but I think they’re a very humble animal. I love to imagine donkeys as pure and simple creatures that just observe the world around them.
Why did you name your robot illustration ‘Simo’?
The protagonist robots in AI movies always have nicknames like Eva in Ex Machina or Vicky in I, Robot, so I named The Robot Simo as a nod to [Depop founder] Simon Beckerman.
Where did you get the idea to illustrate animals falling in love with inanimate objects?
It was just by chance. Things are born very casually when I create, and sketches just come to me. I walk down the street and something catches my eye, then I cook and I see something else, then I link them and wow! I have a scenario to illustrate! My illustration of the snail falling in love with a roll of Scotch tape made my friend very sad. [She said,] ‘Poor snail, it loves someone that will never love it back because Scotch tape isn’t a living thing.’ Sometimes that’s love: just imagination. It’s cool and cruel at the same time.
We love your work. Some of your illustrations are funny, others are just beautiful. Where do you find inspiration?
As I said, I focus on one thing at a time, then I disassemble and assemble images. When I assemble images, I create new meanings and sometimes new nonsense. I spent two years working in contemporary dance as a choreographer, and I use a lot of the skills I learned doing that to when I imagine and create as an illustrator. For example, when you're a child, you can lay in a field and watch the clouds and see new shapes. Everyone is free to liberate their fantasy; what you see in the clouds depends on what’s going on in your head, in your life, in that moment. Inspiration is everywhere around us, you just need to keep your ear to the ground. We were all once children playing and imagining different worlds.
What do you want to share with your art?
Freedom of thoughts. I want anyone to be able to image a world they wish. I feel like a tool; a stone that falls into the water and creates rounded waves. These waves are the thoughts I create in peoples’ minds. This is the power of art.
Do you remember the first sketch you ever created? What was it?
My first drawing was of a house when I was in nursery school. More recently than that, I guess my first sketch was “Pedro,” a red fish getting ready to launch itself from a trampoline.
Why do you like using Depop?
Depop is cool. It feels like you’re shopping in someone else’s house, but you’re not. It’s like someone has told you, ‘This is my place; take what you want!’ Depop is the present and the future.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
Maybe you can guess by now—I’d like to be a psychiatrist. I love the way people’s minds work. Each person is a genuine world. Every human mind is a world that is worth being narrated.
To celebrate the best two weeks of the best month of the entire year (if we may say so), we’re suspending our selling fee from now, Friday, October 14th until the end of October, 12am on November 1st, for our US community!
This means that if you’re a US seller, we won’t take our usual 10% cut of the total transaction from anything and everything you sell between now and the end of October.
With temperatures dropping and Halloween around the corner, the community is on the hunt for cold weather steals and cool costumes. Now is the time to clean out your closet, hit up your favorite thrift stores and sell hard, while you can keep more of the profit from your Depop sales.
One of the best ways to sell quickly on Depop is to promote your shop to as many people as possible. What’s the best way to do that? Most of our top sellers promote their shops by including their Depop URL in their Instagram bio link, and we want to help you do the same!
We’ll put $10 into your PayPal account to use in-app if you do all of the following:
1. Include your Depop URL in your Instagram bio link (depop.com/username)
2. Publish an Instagram post about something you’re selling in your shop and include your username in the copy of the post so people can search for you in the app, as well as the hashtag #shopmydepop.
3. Photo tag @depop in the post so we can find you!
That’s it! This campaign will run from now until midnight EST on Wednesday the 28th. If your post follows all of our requirements, we’ll deposit $10 into your PayPal account on Friday 9/30.
*Please note: Only applicable to Depop users in the USA.
Having nice photos help you sell faster. How do you take nice photos? All you need is natural sunlight. It’s that easy! Here is the bare minimum you need to do to take a nice, bright Explore page feature-worthy photo:
1. Find a space in indirect sunlight, which is basically just a fancy way of saying a space next to, or near a window. Don’t shoot after sunset when the room is artificially lit by desk lamps, floor lamps, florescent lighting, overhead lights, black lights, lava lamps, chili pepper string-lights, etc. These will give your photos a yellow tint, cast distracting shadows, glares and “hot spots” of light, all of which aren’t the best way to show off your item.
This, for example, would be a great spot to shoot in in a living room:
Likewise, with this bedroom:
Don’t have windows? Go outside and shoot in front of an interesting wall or background!
Really in a pinch? Get creative. There are windows with light everywhere, like the bus, for example.
2. Neatly place your item in indirect light near the window and shoot. Always shoot on a clean background and never shoot on dirty floors, dirty rugs, old bedspreads, etc. If all else fails, you can always throw down a clean white sheet or try shooting on one of our cheap and easy better backgrounds hacks.
The same goes for shooting clothing on a wall; make sure your garments are hung up neatly on nice wooden hanger.
You can also ask a friend to model your item for you or model it yourself!
And just to prove how easy this really is, here we are shooting in indirect natural light on a moving bus:
Here are the final photos, all of which would could easily be featured on the Explore page or any of our social media channels:
Shot on living room floor
Shot on bedroom wall
Shot outside
Shot on a bus
We recommend editing your photos using a photo editing app like VSCOCAM or Snapseed, but try to only tweak the brightness and contrast. Playing with warmth and saturation too much will change the color of your item, which could lead to unhappy buyers.
The fine print:
Photos featured on the Explore page must be original photography in a square format and can’t have borders, filters or watermarks. The post can’t have spam tagging (tagging unrelated brands or keywords), can’t require payment outside of the app (F&F), and Instant Pay must be turned on.
Just try it, and promise you won’t forget us when you’re #depopfamous.
Try selling something on Depop! It takes less than a minute to post something for sale, and if you follow these four easy tips, you’ll be making some serious moolah in no time. Suffering from stalled sales? Here’s how to jump-start sales and get your shop in tip-top shape.
1. Take a good photo. Nice, original photos sell faster. Period. How do you take nice photos? Natural sunlight! It’s all you need, and here’s how to do it right.
2. Write the right description. Tell us everything you can about the item (i.e. brand, size dimensions, material, flaws, etc.), and include relevant hashtags. Not only are informed buyers more likely to make a purchase, if our fancy app-y algorithm knows more about your item, it’ll show up in more search results and more people will see it.
3. Stay active and stagger your posting. Don’t upload everything you’re selling at once. Even if you have only a couple of items to sell, it drastically shortens your visibility in followers’ feeds. Instead of posting 10 items in one day, post two items a day for five days. That way, your items are consistently popping up in your followers’ feeds, which will result in more likes and follows. Likes and follows = sales!
4. Share. People can’t buy from you if they don’t know you have a shop, and what better place to start building your empire of loyal followers than your friends? Promote your shop on all of your social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and whatever else is hot right now.
Nervous about shipping? It’s easy. Pick your shipping carrier and set your price.
Today, @mastersofstarlight’s Michele Lee takes us on a photo tour of her dreamy new studio and talks Depop shop.
“Prepare your garment by laundering or dry cleaning it. Clean and ready to post! Do a full ‘one over’ of the garment to see if there are any flaws, holes, discoloring, lint, animal hair, ect.”
“Natural light is amazing. Utilize it as much as possible. And depending how your house is set up, you’ll soon find out the best times to shoot.”
“A side light coming in from a window or even straight-on can be awesome.“
“Cloudy days. Always amazing.”
“Remember those smart phones don’t F around. You don’t need to be a photographer to grab a good shot! Just learning how to ‘light meter’ on your phone is a total game changer.”
“Backlit is my fave.”
“Make sure the the garment looks as true to real life as your photos.“
“Get creative with the locations you live in! If you live near the ocean how rad would a few shots be by the beach? Or if you live near a skate park and you have a ton of street clothes.”
“Practice, practice, practice! Once you master your light metering and lighting in general. You one step closer to a killer store!”
Meet La Carmina! La Carmina is an alternative and Japanese fashion blogger with three books under her belt, regular hosting gigs on travel TV shows for US networks like Discovery, Food Network, National Geographic and Travel Channel, and can be seen this month in a new NBC TV series about Asia travels.
La Carmina is easily recognised from her unique Harajuku clothing, which she is selling for the first time through Depop! Many of these designs are rare and can only be found in Japan or Hong Kong, so get them at her very reasonable prices while they last.
After the break, La Carmina tells us the story behind five of her favourite items currently for sale in her Depop shop.
1. Alice and the Pirates Outfit for Travel TV
“One of my craziest travel TV shoots was in Tokyo for a French show about subcultures. We filmed bizarre scenes, including an intro where I rode in a rickshaw and was chased by a green monster in a full bodysuit! I wore this decadent red and black dress, by the famous Japan Lolita brand Alice and the Pirates, to fit the underground theme of this show.”
2. Killstar Fringe Dress in Istanbul
“I visited Istanbul earlier this year and went to secret spots for the best possible photos. A guard let my team into a private building and we climbed onto the perilous rooftop for this epic view of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. I spread my arms like wings, and my Killstar fringed dress turned me into a dark angel over Constantinople.”
3. Red Platform Boots for Andrew Zimmern's Show
“An early travel TV job was a major one—I was the Tokyo guide to weird restaurants, on Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods! I was thrilled to meet the Travel Channel host, who is lovely in person and complimented my shoes; these red knee-high boots, by Tokyo's Angelic Pretty. They have a unique platform heel and bows for a ‘kawaii’ cute effect.”
4. Skull Dress in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
“One of my favorite activities is wandering around a city and taking photos along the way. In Barcelona, I enjoyed strolling through the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter and finding street art on top of ancient doorways. I was pleasantly surprised to come across this skull mural, which perfectly matched the back of my cut-out white lace dress.”
5. Angelic Pretty Gothic Lolita Dress
“Although I've travelled to over 50 countries, some of my fondest memories take place close to home. My readers always love seeing my friend Rose on my blog—we'd take roadtrips to Seattle and get into all sorts of shenanigans. On this trip, we both dressed up in Japanese Lolita dresses. Mine is grey plaid with heart pockets, by Angelic Pretty. We stopped by the studio of a local artist friend, where we snapped this ‘living dead dolls’ photo together.”
Meet our new FAVE sportswear designer on the block, Amy from Pea Street. After finishing her degree at LCF, she moved into her garden studio to create her one of a kind bombers and dresses. If you're a gal or guy who likes a bit of colour and mesh, read on!
Hi Amy, for those who don’t know, tell us a bit about yourself!
I'm Amy, the original Pea! After making my own clothes for as long as I can remember, I decided to spread the love. I studied design and then went on to perfect my skills at London College of Fashion. I created Pea Street when I was in London with the vision of a brand that could finally represent all of those, like myself, who want to be truly unique, truly individual, truly Pea!
How did you hear about Depop?
My best friend Meg a.k.a my other half! She recommended Depop, as she knew it would benefit Pea Street, which it has massively!
How would you describe your style?
I'd say my style is very quirky and unique, sports luxe street style. I love oversized garments with interesting fabrics. One-of-a-kind pieces, bespoke or limited edition. Pretty much clothing that not many people would have or would wear!
Has Depop had any impact on Pea Street?
Yeah, so far it's helped me sell a few items and really helped get the brand known on the app. I'll also be selling at the Depop x Blitz Vintage event on Brick Lane. Make sure you come and say hi!
Where does your inspiration come from?
My inspiration comes from a mix of London street style and whatever's in my head. I can't help but think when I go into a shop that even though some things are nice, they could be nicer! I try to use my knowledge to help give my lovely girls exactly what they want. I try to make my clothes as different as possible; I hate having the same thing as someone else!
Walk us through a typical day.
I get up, attempt a work out that hardly ever happens, then head to the studio at the end of my garden. I tend to make a list of what I need to do that day; I'm more pen and paper kind of girl! I have to balance designing, production, Social (Insta, Depop etc), sourcing fabrics, and maintaining stock levels. There's a lot involved in running a brand. I find that some background TV/music helps!
Who would you love to see on Depop?
Beyoncé! I just saw her live and she was so amazing. I'd love to see her clothes in more detail!
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing?
I've always loved animals, so I’d definitely love to do something that involves me being surrounded by them all the time! Otherwise, it would have to be something to do with food, as I love making and trying new dishes.
What’s next for Pea Street in 2016?
The main aim is for more people to know about Pea Street and help it reach its full potential! I'd love to be able to grow into menswear and have a variety of ranges for women. I can't wait to make my ideas a reality!
Vans Warped Tour is the largest traveling music festival in the United States, and we’re beyond thrilled to be its official app sponsor of this year! To celebrate, we grabbed our slip-ons, slathered on the sunscreen and joined the tour in Long Island, New York last weekend.
Don’t forget! You can shop rare finds and memorabilia from VWT bands on the road all summer long in the official Vans Warped Tour Depop shop!
“The message for #SELFLOVEBRINGSBEAUTY is simple; it’s to love who you are, no matter size, shape, race, or sexuality. It’s about promoting self-appreciation!” - Felicity Hayward
Last week, on the hottest night of the summer (yet), we invited our community to join us at the Depop NYC office in Brooklyn to celebrate self-love with special guest, Felicity Hayward. Food x Taquitoria; drinks x VDKA 6100; nails x Floss Gloss, and art x Lois Orchard. Hot ‘n steamy party pics after the break!
After losing a school friend to cancer and watching people close to her deal with the loss of friends and family, Yani, founder of female sneaker blog Big Eyes, Little Soles, decided to combine her love for streetwear and fashion, whilst raising money for a charity close to her heart.
Yani! For those who don't know, can you tell us a little bit about Big Eyes, Little Soles?
Hey! Okay, so we’re the UK’s first female sneaker and style collective and have been around since 2010. We have members from London, Amsterdam to Hong Kong and we’re always on the hunt for more ladies to get involved! We all dress from the feet up, it’s about a mutual love for kicks rather than whose got the best collection.
With the help of Delores Daywear, the brainchild of Finch Norwich store owner, Sophie Rees and her incredible embroidered tees, Big Hearts, Little Soles tee came to life.
How did the collaboration with Delores daywear come about?
I have recently experienced losing people close to me tocancer and have been looking to do something a little different to raise money for the charity that helps so many people. Sophie from Delores Daywear hit me up wanting to work together, and it all fell into place. We decided on a small run of t-shirts, and Big Hearts, Little Soles was born!
100% of the profits of will go to Cancer Research UK, to help them with the amazing work they do and hopefully to help in some small way towards finding the cure for cancer.
This is a truly amazing cause, what made you choose Depop?
We all use Depop individually and we all love it, it just seemed like the perfect fit to have one central place for everyone to come to see the tees!
Tees are £25 and are available on the @bigeyeslittlesoles Depop account. They’re a limited run of 30 t-shirts so get in there early, they’re set to sell out!
What's else do B.E.L.S have in the pipeline for 2016?
Lots! It’s our 6th birthday this year, so keep your eyes peeled for our annual birthday bash! We’re working with some awesome sneaker brands and the restaurant reviews (Big Eyes, Big Eats) side of things is kicking off as well, so watch us while we don our freshest sneakers and munch our way round the world!
With so many people affected by cancer, let’s come together to help raise awareness and money for a charity that works tirelessly to help put an end to this horrible disease.
Rock your Big Hearts, Little Soles tee with pride!
Photos by Vicky Grout
Remember, these tee’s are available on Depop now! Don’t miss out.