Why spend 200 euros on a suit you wear once when you could rent it? Or why stash a party dress in the closet when it could earn money for someone else? Renting out clothing is the idea behind a new venture that lets individuals monetize garments they rarely reuse while still enjoying them themselves. The concept, nicknamed Symbia, aims to streamline fashion consumption and reduce environmental impact by turning wardrobes into rental inventories.
Three entrepreneurs from Alicante pioneered the project in 2022. Celia Martínez, her sister Claudia Martínez, and their friend Marta Puyol conceived the platform as a practical alternative for people who buy outfits for special occasions and rarely repeat them. The team saw a simple opportunity: a dress or suit that would otherwise gather dust could become a source of income instead.
At the time, one founder was preparing for a legal exam and, after not passing, decided to pivot toward entrepreneurship. The sister and their friend chose to pursue something of their own, leaning on a shared belief that a community-driven clothing rental platform could change how people buy, use, and share fashion.
The process of uploading a garment to the app is straightforward, and the platform is designed to feel as familiar as popular second-hand marketplaces. Symbia’s appeal lies in making it easy for people to rent items from others, with the added benefit of buyers seeing a wide range of outfits available for future events.
Market observations show that platforms like Wallapop and vintage marketplaces have already popularized second-hand fashion, making it easier for consumers to find affordable, stylish pieces. Symbia is positioned to attract a specific audience: people who want to rent other people’s clothes for occasional wear and special events.
Social networks also influence behavior. Repeating a suit for multiple weddings, once seen as normal, can now risk a negative impression on influential platforms. The Symbia team notes that many users want to avoid this kind of repetition, especially when images appear on Instagram and other networks.
Beyond the environmental argument, growing awareness of fashion’s environmental footprint drives interest in rental models. The founders emphasize that clothing production and disposal contribute significantly to pollution, and reusing items can help reduce this impact.
Pricing
Similar to how listings work on home-sharing sites, users publish the items they want to rent through the app and set their own price. The recommendation is to price in the range of 20 to 30 percent of the original purchase price to attract renters while maintaining value for the owner.
Symbia does not take a percentage of the rental fee. The platform earns through ancillary services such as cleaning, transportation, and mandatory insurance. Renters pay the rental fee along with these additional charges when picking up a garment.
Once a garment is picked up, the renter decides whether to keep it for the designated period. The policy typically allows up to 21 days for use, after which the item is returned to the owner. Most current listings feature women’s party dresses, but there is growing interest in men’s wear as well.
Usage window
Users have a 21-day window to test-drive the item before returning it, ensuring flexibility for events and travel plans. The founders argue that a shift toward shared wardrobes reflects a broader trend in consumer behavior that values access over ownership.
The idea has evolved alongside broader retail moves. Fashion retailers are exploring resale programs, including second-hand services offered by major brands, signaling a sector-wide interest in reducing waste. The entrepreneurs believe that the future of fashion will rely on changing how people consume, choose, and recycle clothing.
Looking ahead, some partners in the industry are already piloting buy-back and resale programs to support circular fashion. The team believes such collaborations will help expand rental ecosystems and enhance sustainability across more households.
Industry momentum
With collaborations forming, the project aims to broaden access and strengthen the reuse of garments across communities in Spain and beyond. The mission is clear: contribute to the planet and to people’s wallets by keeping clothes in circulation, reducing environmental harm, and ensuring items find new life instead of ending up unused in closets.
Enduring questions focus on how rental platforms can scale while maintaining trust, quality, and accountability. The team continues to optimize the model, learning from market feedback and industry trends to offer a practical, green alternative in fashion commerce. The overarching goal remains to promote responsible consumption through shared wardrobes, lowering waste and supporting a more sustainable fashion system.
As the initiative progresses, the team remains focused on practical outcomes: accessible rentals, clear pricing, and reliable service that protects both owners and renters. The broader message is simple—wear what you love, for less, while keeping the planet in mind. The clothing you rent or lend becomes part of a responsible cycle that benefits communities and the environment alike, supported by transparent processes and thoughtful partnerships.
[Attribution: Industry observations and interviews with the Symbia founders provide context for the growth of clothing rental in contemporary fashion.]