Ever heard of Inditex ? What if I asked you about Zara, Stradivarius, Pull and Bear or Bershka, to name but a few, we have all heard of these retail names, right? Well, these internationally recognised retailers are subsidiaries of Inditex, a multinational clothing company with its headquarters located in Spain. 

You only need to walk down the high street in Dublin city centre and one by one these fast fashion stores line the streets.  

With some sixteen years experience working for this global giant, Monica Martinez Bermudez learnt a thing or two about style, creativity and the inner workings of the fashion industry. 

However, when the pandemic hit, Monica, like many of us, found herself questioning her career and the impact it was having on her personal life. When I sat down to speak to Monica, she was incredibly candid about the impact the pandemic had on her, forcing her to try new things whilst exposing her to a new way of life, which she seemingly fell in love with. Questioning the mundane rituals of her fast fashion job and seeking meaning in her work, Monica decided to take the plunge and leave her job in Inditex. A job, which she had worked extremely hard in, a job where she climbed the ranks but a job she no longer believed aligned with her morals. 

This all seems incredibly daunting for anyone to process. However, Monica explained that she did not feel scared to take the leap herself but was rather more daunted to tell her parents about the huge change she was making – a change which would keep her in Ireland rather than involve her moving home to her native Barcelona. 

After giving it some thought and with fashion still very much a love for Monica in her life, she decided to embark on a journey in the world of second hand fashion. Using her savings and inspired by her partner’s business knowledge, Monica worked tirelessly to create what we now know to be Agité Closet. 

Agité Closet marries together a love for fashion with a love for our planet. Whilst working at Inditex, Monica explained that she lost a sense of purpose and no longer believed in what she was doing. Now, at Agité Closet, Monica has the ability to work everyday, surrounded by fashion, whilst also knowing that she is playing her part in making a positive impact on the environment. 

Agité Closet is a refreshing addition to the second hand landscape available on the current Dublin scene. Bright, inviting and sleek are the words that come to mind when you see the showroom, which is located in The Chocolate Factory Building, Dublin 1. 

In the interest of keeping excess consumerism at bay, the showroom is not open standard hours throughout the week. Instead, you can drop a direct message via socials or book your visit through the website to secure a time slot whereby you can visit the showroom. The very nature of booking a time slot creates the feeling that you are embarking on an exclusive experience. You will be greeted by the very talented and of course, fashionable Monica who will talk you through the carefully curated collection available. 

Speaking of experiences, Monica told me that she wanted to create not only a second hand store but almost give rise to a lifestyle. Therefore, Agité Closet has been hosting a number of cool events in and around Dublin City where people can engage with the fashion, message and lifestyle that Monica invites us into. 

The most recent event took place in Dublin’s cultural hotspot of Temple Bar. Amidst the cobbles you will find the beautiful Ton Gallery Dublin, a contemporary gallery, which aims to introduce the public to both the creative thinking and processes necessary in erecting artistic projects. 

This dynamic space lends itself to a number of forms allowing it to transform into a lecture hall, reading room, work space, studio and even a quiet retreat from the bustling busy streets of the capital. 

Ton Gallery truly seemed like the perfect place for Agité Closet to showcase some of its wonderful finds. In fact, in keeping with the context of Ton Gallery the second hand clothing collection was showcased alongside the incredible work of Pepe Carretero, the exceptionally talented Spanish painter. Carretero, tells a personal story through his artwork, which conveys themes and moments from his life within the LGBTQIA+ community. 

The neutral colours and tones used in the artwork spilled out into the gallery forming a stunning colour palette for the clothing collection curated by Monica. From power suit jackets, to floral skirts and array of items in between, the collection had a mix of pieces. In addition to individual pieces, Monica explained to me that she placed certain clothing items alongside each other on the racks, to indicate which items work together and which can be paired to compile the perfect outfit. 

Monica fully appreciates the importance of utilising spaces such as Ton Gallery, as well as embracing independent artists, in order to deliver a lifestyle packaged in a cultural hub. Events such as her most recent pop-up and businesses like Agité Closet not only educate and enhance awareness but they allow us to open ourselves up to new ways of living, which help our planet. 

Monica certainly was brimming with ideas, which she was motivated to bring to fruition. To stay up to date on all things Agité Closet then follow them on their social media pages and via their website, which we have outlined below. 

• Instagram: @agitecloset –
• https://www.instagram.com/agitecloset/ 
• 24h Online Shop – Book online or DM to book a showroom slot –
• https://agitecloset.com/en-gb 
• For gallery updates visit the Ton Instagram account @tondublin.