Solveig Lipka would never have dreamed of becoming a model herself and presenting the latest collections from her fashion store when she opened her store in 2018.
But times change. Especially with the corona restrictions, the shop closings and the extended lockdown, it was clear to the owner of the clothing store “Stilsicherheit” in Malchiner Strasse in Stavenhagen that she had to draw attention to herself. “You have to come up with something so that the customer continues to notice you,” said Solveig Lipka.
Collections for women
After all, for them, like any other closed downtown stores, the lockdown is a major challenge. Solveig Lipka still has to pay rent. It has fixed costs. She must also be able to live on the income. And she can’t just leave the clothes she ordered for spring half a year ago unsold. So ideas had to be found to bring the collections to women. Because the competition from the Internet is great.
First she slipped the blouses, jackets or trousers on the mannequins. She took photos, sent them to her regular customers via Whatsapp and posted them on her Facebook page. Then the women can call her if they like something. Solveig Lipka and her part-time worker Christa Deepe pack the pieces in a small “style box”.
The customers pick up the goods from the shop door. “Sometimes I bring them over,” reported the owner. She also gives a piece or two with her if she thinks it might suit a customer. The trust between the customer and the owner plays an important role in this.
Try on outside
“It’s exhausting too,” said Solveig Lipka. But the customers thank her. Again and again a lady knocked to pick up a bag. “Women need fashion,” praised one customer. The businesswoman has found a solution so that customers can try on the clothes outside the home. Another customer said she can be reached at any time of the day and also tries to make everything possible. Otherwise there would only be an online purchase. This means that the owner has at least some income during this difficult time. “I always make three crosses when I have the fixed costs in,” said Solveig Lipka.
“Had to jump over my own shadow”
In January the owner went one step further. The 1.55 meter tall woman put on the latest fashion herself. Because clothes look much better when someone has put them on. Her friends Annette Spradau, Simone Mertens and Krissi Klatt photographed her. Solveig Lipka is happy about this help. “But I had to jump over my own shadow first.” In the end, she is very satisfied: “I’m doing my thing and trying to get through the crisis.”
The businesswoman also breaks a lance for the Stavenhagen city center with its much-criticized vacancy. Such a small shop is also worthwhile here. “We have a beautiful city and a beautiful market,” emphasized Solveig Lipka. Vacationers would confirm this again and again and also praise the small shops. All shops have their regular customers here. The other two private clothing stores also use social internet media during the Corona crisis.
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