Business: Redesigning Women
Shopping for clothes can be fun but with so many stores to choose from it can become overwhelming. A consignment store offers a variety of styles and brands all under one roof making the shopping experience more convenient and enjoyable. Karen Summers, owner of ‘ReDesigning Women,’ shared her vision for opening a consignment store for only plus-size women. “All women need a place to shop where they can feel good about themselves without criticism.”
Summers opened her first consignment store in Indiana and when her husband, Tom, was transferred to Oklahoma, opening another shop eased the transition to a new town. “When we moved here 10 years ago, I didn’t know anyone and I wanted to meet people. I opened Karen’s Kloset because it’s something I knew I could do,” said Summers. Unfortunate family events caused Summers to sell Karen’s Kloset in 2003, but in July of 2010 she opened ReDesigning Women in Edmond. “Many of our customers remember me from Karen’s Kloset. It’s nice to see the familiar faces of former customers,” said Summers.
ReDesigning Women provides a pleasant atmosphere for customers with a clean environment and quality clothing. “We’re very particular about the clothing we consign. Everything has to be in excellent condition without damage or odor. The clothing must be washed or dry cleaned, pressed and on hangers. Our customers tell us they appreciate how clean and nice our store is,” said Summers.
ReDesigning Women’s consignment contract has no hidden fees or service charges and the “straight 50/50 split” benefits both parties. “We want quality plus-size women’s clothing so we give the consignor 50% of the selling price. When the contract ends, the clothes that don’t sell go back to the consignor unless they want to donate them. We are proud to donate to Suited For Success and they’re excited to get our clothes,” said Summers. Suited For Success is an Oklahoma program that provides professional clothing and career development services for low-income women who’ve completed a job training program and are actively seeking employment.
Before ReDesigning Women opened, Summers was diagnosed with kidney cancer. “My husband did most of the work on the store by himself. Without him and the help of my friends, Toni Spence, store manager and Marquetta Childs, who are fantastic and wonderful with customers, the store would’ve closed.” Summers is now cancer-free but other health issues have hindered her involvement with customers she loves. “I didn’t open this store just to be in business. We enjoy providing this service for our customers and want the store to grow for them as much as for ourselves.”
ReDesigning Women is located at 2nd and Kelly and open Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
