Clothes fit for a Lady (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Clothes fit for a Lady

THEY say that clothes maketh the man.

And, if a member of the aristocracy's latest business venture proves a major success they could maketh the lady too.

Lady Apsley, of Cirencester Park, has launched an internet market place for second hand and designer clothes and accessories, which she hopes will rival web auctioneers ebay.

The service, www.clothesagency.com, allows members to buy or sell items for the whole family within a self-contained 'cyber community'.

And Lady Apsley, who launched the website with business partner Alexandra Barnes, says it is already proving popular.

She said: "We've all succumbed to impulse buys, have clothes in our wardrobe that no longer fit, or shoes that we'll never wear again."

"All we want to do is to help to find loving new homes for them, as well as provide our members with the opportunity to find some fantastic bargains - and all from the comfort of our own desktop computers!"

Lady Apsley says she came up with the idea after achieving disappointing results trying to find clothes in internet auctions.

Clothes Agency doesn't charge any end-of-sale commissions for independent sellers and listing fees go no higher than £2.50 per month.

As well as the UK, the site has attracted members from as far afield as the Seychelles, the USA and Australia and even Papua New Guinea.

Alexandra Barnes added: "This helps with the wide range of items for sale - unlike the conventional high street dress agencies, we're unrestricted by seasons - it may be winter here, but it's summer in Australia, or vice versa. There's something for everyone no matter where you live."

The agency also offers a commission-based selling service, called Top Drawyer, for people who don't have time to sell their own collections.

And for every sale made through Top Drawer the agency makes a donation to a nominated charity. This year's choice is The Alzheimer's Society."