Janet Mandell presented her spring 2026 outing with inspirations from the 1990s and early 2000s era of glamour. The models had simple hair styles with sultry make-up, embodying the era perfectly.
This curated collection was completely sourced from vintage stores, making it true to those eras. Each piece was enhanced with details added by Janet Mandell herself. The story behind additions, was to add, “femininity, beauty, sexiness, risk, confidence. The details make the wearer feel bold.”
Befitting of the time, the 90s and 2000s embraced the ideas of women empowerment, coupled with a bold glamor. The collection is somewhat reminiscent of “Sex in the City” or “Girlfriends” and their groundbreaking approaches to chronicle women who were truly free in all aspects of their lives. The clothing reflects the freedom to show off some skin and add something flashy that will guarantee that a woman who wears them will be seen.
The Janet Mandell aesthetic is an extension of the feminine freedom of the latest curated collection. Janet Mandall runs her company with sustainability at its core. She decided to be creative and be a part of the solution of being sustainable without compromising the demand for luxury, by making her brand a rental company for luxury vintage pieces. The mission of the Janet Mandell brand is simple, “to extend the life of a high-end fashion, by making it accessible, sustainable, and beautifully maintained.”
Mandell shops all over the country, acquiring unique pieces from brands such as, Alaia, CHANEL and DIOR, and many more. The rental prices start as low as $50 for a four-day rental. Through this approach, a person who wants to be “nostalgic” in their clothing choices will never get the look wrong, since the pieces come straight from seasons past. Not only does this feed the nostalgia cravings but also satisfies the industry’s need to be sustainable.
Images courtesy of theimpression.com
Traditionally, high-end brands have burned their unsold items at the end of the season for fear of being copied. That said, the dupe industry is, unfortunately, booming. And the days of burning unsold items to protect their IP is simply viewed as wasteful. Janet Mandel provides one solution to prevent that waste, renting designer items out so that clients can have access to these designer clothes without paying a hefty amount—for most of the items—and putting it back into the cycle for someone else to enjoy.
Mandell is a firm believer that this approach is the most sustainable way to distribute and enjoy luxury items, even if it’s temporary. Janet Mandell showrooms are currently located in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.
—Farah Akbar
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