Ridgefield may be better known for its food and art scenes, but fashion is slowly creeping its way into the spotlight with new boutiques popping up, local designers on the horizon, and notably, the long-standing shops all with one major thread in common — sustainability.
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword in the industry — it's a lifestyle choice embodied by both environmentalists and fashionistas. Three local stores, Consign Envy, Bring 'n Buy, and The Ridgefield Thrift Shop not only embrace sustainable shopping, but promote goodness in the community all around.
Consign Envy opened in 2004, when Maura Sullivan’s son was about to enter kindergarten. As a recent divorcee, the new business owner needed to go back to work. Her initial vision was a children’s consignment store, “so I opened my doors as The Children’s Cottage,” she stated. Next year, Consign Envy will celebrate 20 privileged years in beautiful Ridgefield.
After five years into the business, she expanded into women’s fashion, changing the store name to “Consign Envy.” “I always liked fashion,” Sullivan says. “But my draw was to help people.” Prior to opening her shop, she was a director for a nonprofit organization working with homeless, runaway and foster kids, also working in the mental health field running transitional homes for youth who were struggling with alcohol and drug dependency.
During the holiday months, Consign Envy holds special sales — you can follow the shop on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on new inventory and events.
While the shop is primarily consignment with over 3,600 consignors, only taking items by appointment, Sullivan explains she does have “beautiful, handmade jewelry from a local artist, along with other purchased jewelry, perfect as gifts or to accessorize an outfit.”
At Consign Envy, expect to find a unique piece of clothing that is in style, in great condition, and at a price that makes the buyer feel lucky to have found it. Selling children’s teens, women’s and a small section of men’s attire, the shop is comprised of designers like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, and Chloè, among many other labels.
Consign Envy also does a lot for the community, from donating to Family and Children’s Aid and the women’s shelter in Danbury to helping families who are struggling financially. “We donate to school and coat drives, churches, and have donated numerous times to a small, isolated village in the Philippines,” Sullivan says.
For Christina Hassensetin, owner of Bring 'n Buy, fashion and entrepreneurship have been in her blood since before she was born. Hassenstein’s mother, Patti Murphy, purchased the store over 50 years ago; Hassenstein joined her in 1993. “We became partners concentrated fully on upping the standard and selling great labels for less,” she says of the shop.
“My pull to fashion was passed down by my mom and grandmother," Hassenstein says. "I have very clear memories of them dressed in stunning gowns and fur coats for weddings and holidays. In our house, we were taught not to waste and to reuse and recycle, which ties in very closely with my love for owning a business based on two of my passions — fashion and sustainability.”
Bring 'n Buy’s customers span from all over Fairfield, Litchfield and Westchester counties, also including clients from California, North Carolina and Georgia, who mail the owners their consignments, also shopping the Bring 'n Buy Instagram page.
Like Sullivan, Hassenstein also donates regularly to women’s shelters in Danbury, New York City, and New Jersey. “At the end of July, I bag up all of the clothing and donate it to [organizations] Nick’s Hope, Hour Children, and Hearts of Gold.”
The Ridgefield Thrift Shop, who we wrote about in our April issue, is known as a staple in the community for its countless philanthropic endeavors and volunteer efforts, on top of being an inexpensive paradise for the style obsessed.
As many of you may know, RTS teams up regularly with organizations like Ann's Place, a community-based cancer support platform, in order to celebrate well-mannered fashion for a cause. This year, their fashion show theme was "Celebrating Role Models," which included any and all members of the community who inspired Ann's Place.
If you're looking for something unique to wear to a gala, a holiday party or other special occasion upcoming, you are sure to find what you're looking for at any of these stylish and community-driven shops.
Consign Envy is owned and operated by Maura Dimm. The store's address is 23 Catoonah St., Suite 1, Ridgefield, CT. Website: consignenvy.com. Instagram: @consignenvy
Bring 'n Buy is owned and operated by Christina Hassenstein. The store's address is 590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT. Instagram: @bringnbuy
RTS: The thrift shop is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. The store's address is 21B Governor St. Website: ridgefieldthriftshop.com
“I always liked fashion. But my draw was to help people.” -Maura Sullivan, owner of Consign Envy