Sarah Freeman is creative, possibly a genius. She is certainly has the chic, cheek, pose and poise of an inspired couturière.

She is also the founder and proprietor of The Clothes Library, in the Bohemian quarter of the point at shop 17, 1-21 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point.

This is not an ordinary library: she purchases, conserves, repurposes and re-sells designer label men’s and women’s fashion. The concept allows people to acquire and sell and ”loan” clothes, rather like books from a library.

It’s not an ideology. It’s a philosophy put into practice. Sarah is driven by the concept’s convenience, affordability and sustainability.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data confirm a staggering 500,000 tonnes of textiles and leather are discarded every year. We buy about 27kg each year and throw out 23kg. 95% is able to be recycled.

We’re driven by “fast fashion”. Global chains drive excessive purchasing and stream “the latest” fashion into our minds and wallets. Textile waste is the “dirty shadow” of the fashion industry.

Oscar Wilde was right: “Be yourself. Fashion is what one wears oneself. It’s better to have style than be in style.”

Like libraries, Sarah, receives items, catalogues and cares for her collection and offers them to others. She even produces her own chic carry bags from re-cycled shirts!

How does it work? It’s a two-way street. Customers purchase items at reduced prices. Members can make money from selling their own clothes on consignment. They enjoy special discounts and are rewarded for referring friends and receive cash or in-store credits.

Customers and members can also buy items and return them, paying 70% of the purchase price.

Subscribers pay a monthly fee and enjoy four to six items a month on loan.

It’s all part of the new sharing economy. Things don’t belong to us permanently: we belong to them.

If there’s a wedding, big birthday, school formal, mega-party, film, play or anniversary on the horizon customers don’t need to purchase a new expensive Carla Zampatti, Boss, Marc Newman, Calvin Klein or Zegna outfit. They can purchase or loan the whole kit more economically including suits, dresses, scarves, shoes, shirts and handbags etc.

“And it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly as well,” says Sarah, who started her business here this year and wants to see one in every shopping centre.

Hers is the only one of its type anywhere specialising in pre-loved and vintage items.

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director, Heritage Solutions

The Clothes Library

Shop 17, 1-21 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point NSW 2011

Hours: 11am to 7pm seven days a week

Phone: 0425 217 121

Email: sarah@theclotheslibrary.com

Instagram: @the_clothes_library