{{B}} The Rag Trade{{/B}}
There is one kind of clothes shopper whose selections never leave the bag they come in. They know exactly what they want and they go in and get it, often buying in bulk, and often with little regard for {{U}}(31) {{/U}} this latest fashion even fits them. These are the fashion investors, and they are out to make money. Once, the only way to profit from fashion as a collectable item was to buy rare, vintage or antique garments {{U}}(32) {{/U}} mint condition - an expensive business and still {{U}}(33) {{/U}} which offers relatively risky returns. The modern way has collectors buying more mainstream fashion items that are in the shops now, in {{U}}(34) {{/U}} knowledge that they will appreciate consider- ably over just a {{U}}(35) {{/U}} years. The returns on fashion investments are not always massive, although estimates of a four hundred per cent return are {{U}}(36) {{/U}} uncommon. Certainly they are considerably better than the return offered by a high interest savings account and, {{U}}(37) {{/U}} those who are experts, better than the stock market. The knowledge necessary for fashion investing means investors invariably work in the fashion industry. They often know {{U}}(38) {{/U}} is going to catch on before the fashion press does and they know where and through whom products can be bought. They can spot what is disposable high fashion now but will {{U}}(39) {{/U}} on to become a classic of its time in years to come, worth far more than they laid {{U}}(40) {{/U}} for it originally.