Georgetown’s Rent The Runway is upping its game with a new, one-year collaboration with Birchbox, the 5-year-old online subscription service that sends subscribers new makeup samples every month. The move turns the store into a one-stop shop for women looking to get dressed — and now dolled — up before big events.
“Birchbox has a large subscriber base in the DC area and our customers want to look their best, but don’t always have time to navigate the latest new products and trends. Together with Rent the Runway, we’re able to offer a one-stop-shop edited with the very best in beauty and fashion,” said Katia Beauchamp, co-founder and CEO of Birchbox in a press release.
Rent the Runway and Birchbox have similar beginnings. Both started out as online-only outlets focused on women and based on non-traditional business models. Rent the Runway was founded in 2009, shortly before Birchbox got its start. And now, both companies are expanding to brick-and-mortar locations. The new outlet inside Rent the Runaway marks Birchbox’s second brick-and-mortar location. Rent the Runway now has storefronts in New York and Chicago, in addition to Georgetown.
The store is known for renting out high-end designer dresses for between $75 and $250 dollars. The new Birchbox station inside Rent the Runway will feature a $15 “Build Your Own Birchbox” offer where buyers can choose from products by Bumble and Bumble, Smashbox, Stila, Oribe, and other beauty brands. Birchbox will also offer makeup appointments running from $30 for eyes to $80 for a special occasion application.
