
What was the inspiration for Bureau of Trade?
What we wear, what we buy, and what we put in or on ourselves tells or telegraphs a very specific message about who we are. What we value. What our station in life is. Even where and how we envision ourselves in the world. I have always been interested in the specific history and provenance of not just of objects, but of everything. And I want to celebrate the notion of slower consumption and more purposeful purchases.
After the fifteenth, or maybe the twentieth flash-sale site meandered into my inbox, hocking unwanted, overstock drek – but purporting to sell something of genuine value – I made up my mind. I left my job as a designer at IDEO, and started a company that would make men smarter, make them laugh, and connect men of discernment to products with a history, products with a story, and narrative merchandise.
How is it going? Popularity wise and money wise?
Our audience is active, growing, and exceeding all of our expectations. There clearly is an appetite not just for our editorial content, but for the unique products we feature everyday. We've sold 19th century jail doors, taxidermy werewolf hands, vintage cufflinks and chronographs, antique dental equipment and classic convertibles. But I think what the team is most proud of is that we've helped a few (featured) rescue dogs find loving homes.
How do you see it growing?
As we refine what we offer on the site, we're expanding our voice to other platforms, like GQ and Gizmodo, where our content will appear this fall. We're also expanding into the brick and mortar world: stay tuned for live auctions all around the country.
How do you select the featured products? Aesthetic aside -- do you have any requirements other than what grabs your eye?
Two words dictate our selection process: beauty and authenticity. We work with a tremendous team of curators from around the world to find objects of the rarest quality and richest history. We are not a discount site; we are a value site. Items don't cost more than they should, but they never cost less than they're worth.
6 comments:
I went to check out the site and to view it, it demanded I register through Fakebook. Now why would that be? HHhhmmmmmmm? I took the opportunity to extend the demand a digital salute. Buh bye...
oyster, you can also get in through email.
it is worth the extra typing.
Me likey.
Oyster- See the Dallas comment. That's how I signed up. Sorry for the delay in getting this to you.
Jeff- Yeah, it's right up your 4th point of contact.
I am not crazy about the Gosplanesque name but what a site!
I already see a vintage Rolex and a BMW that was surely used by the Bader-Meinhoff gang at one point to flee some attack in Karlsruhe or Stuttgart.
Thanks for letting us know about it.
Dallas and Tin, thanks for the update.
Post a Comment