Deuxième
299 New Kings Road
London
SW6 4RE
020 7736 3696
www.deuxieme.co.uk
camilla@deuxieme.co.uk

Who: Camilla Simpson
“I'd been working at the shop in between acting jobs when the previous owner told me she was trying to sell it but hadn’t been able to find a buyer. After a late night of long chats with my close friends I decided to go for it. Well, that was five years ago in September.

It's been perfect! Being an actress, it's useful to have a steady income to back you up financially. I know that the shop will be well looked after by my girls when I'm working and then, in between jobs, I have something to get up for that I enjoy. Running the shop is so much better than temping and much more fun.

Most members of my staff are in similar situations; one of them is in Eastenders at the moment! I started off as a singer and a dancer but then retrained as an actress. I have done all sorts of acting work including films, television and theatre. Oh and also a Philadelphia Cheese commercial - you know the one where two women are driving in car...

I didn't have any business experience so it has been a very steep learning curve but the shop is still going strong. I was lucky that it had been set up already and had lots of regular customers. Saying that, I have changed it quite a bit since I took over.

It was a little like a glorified charity shop before but I have tried to make it more boutique-y. There was just far too much stock packed together so I cleared lots out and that instantly changed the feel of the place. You always need lots of time in this kind of shop but I’ve tried to make it a more pleasurable experience.

We have lots of regulars but I try to make sure the shop is as welcoming to first-timers as possible. Some dress agencies can be a little intimidating and quite snobby and I'd hate people to think of Deuxième in that way. Many of our customers are locals but lots of people travel to come to the shop as well.

I guess I would say that most of the people who come into the shop are between 25 and 45 but we get people beyond and below that range as well. The younger customers tend to be quite arty and after something that they know they won't be able to find anywhere else.”

What: Deuxième stocks all sorts of great designer clothes and accessories over two floors. The shop is really bright and airy and often serves as a meeting point for its well-heeled customers. It is a dress agency which means people bring in their clothes to sell on a commission basis. A price is decided between the staff and the seller and each take half of the money. Most of the stock accepted is either designer or vintage though some high street is taken in occasionally. Expect to find great designer jeans and suits at brilliant prices (think 7 for all mankind jeans for £50). Stock is kept for eight weeks. If it is not sold during this time the seller can collect it or it will be donated to a charity shop.

Why: Lots of the people who bring in their clothes to sell are local young mums and this translates to top-end designer clothes that are often from quite recent collections. Great quality clothes can be bought at least half the original price. At the moment, Deuxième has a couple of gorgeous bags, one by Chloé and one by Botkier that are really current and at bargain prices. However, that said, there are unlikely to be on sale for long! Luckily the regular customers ensure that there are always great new bargains to be had.

Where: Come right out of Parson's Green tube station and walk to the end of the road past the green on your left. Turn right at the end of the road and it's on the left hand side near to the end of the row of shops.

When: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm. Sunday 11am-5pm.