Home, these days, is where the shopping is shared by women who value personal service and timeless fashion.
They’ve discovered direct-sale retailing, a concept that allows them to try on samples and get a little styling advice at the homes of sales associates.
Keller Williams real estate agent Susan Clark became a convert after her neighbor, Lisa Liles, introduced her to the Worth Collection. Liles, an attorney, wore Worth’s tailored suiting for years before becoming a collection recruiter associate for the company.Clark, who has two small children, says shopping with Worth Collection has simplified her life. “I saw Lisa in all these great pieces and was hooked. Everything can be mixed together, and there are a lot of options, which is good for me because as a real estate agent, I am always on the go,” she said.
Most Worth customers buy their clothing at trunk shows, but for those who can’t make that date or are looking to augment their wardrobes, the showroom tucked into a nondescript office building is another option. It’s stocked with pants, dresses, jackets and tops in sizes ranging from 0 to 20 in misses and 0 to 16 in petite.
The Worth Collection veers toward luxury, with prices from $198 to more than $1,000. The fabrics are made at the same mills that produce fabrics for Chanel and Chloe.
Worth co-founder Caroline Davis said the direct-sale concept originated in the 1930s and has evolved over time. She and her business partner, Jay Rosenberg, started their company in 1991 to fill a void for working women.
The company has netted $100 million in sales since its inception, Davis said.
Screenshot from The Worth Collection, Ltd.