Rent the Runway to Unveil First Showroom Location in Partnership With Henri Bendel

NEW YORK, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Rent the Runway (www.renttherunway.com), the leading destination for designer dress and accessory rentals, will unveil an exclusive 1400-square-foot showroom on the second floor of New York City's iconic Henri Bendel Fifth Avenue flagship store, on October 17^th. Boasting a rotating selection of the trendiest dresses and accessories from Rent the Runway's 175 designer brands, women can now try on dresses in advance of renting and work directly with a Rent the Runway Go-To Girl personal stylist to ensure they look and feel their best for every occasion.  As Rent the Runway's first brick-and-mortar retail partnership, they are bringing the online rental experience to life and creating a destination for today's modern woman who wants access to luxury fashion but with the ease and convenience of a personal stylist who knows her most pressing needs.  Customers will be able to reserve rentals for all upcoming occasions – from a wedding to a Saturday night out – or take their dresses and accessories with them directly from the Rent the Runway showroom located in the Henri Bendel 5^th Avenue store. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131017/NY99178 )

"It's become clear to us at Rent the Runway that our customer is the true go-getter girl – she is smart and busy; she loves fashion but wants it easily and at the highest level of service.  Henri Bendel is the perfect partner for us to innovate offline as they are also known for the spectacular customer experiences they offer through their stores," said Jennifer Hyman, CEO and Co-Founder of Rent the Runway. "With the ability to try on the designer dresses that would be paired with your newest on-trend Henri Bendel accessory purchase, women can alleviate their fit concerns, drop by after work for that last minute event, and more confidently book dresses for the entire season."

Customers can book an appointment online at www.renttherunway.com/henribendel and create their style profile including personal information such as size, shape and style preferences. They can also add inspiration dresses to guide their Go-To Girl prior to their appointment. Upon arriving at Rent the Runway at Henri Bendel, customers will be greeted by a Go-To Girl, who will provide a one-on-one styling consultation as they try on dresses and work to complete their head-to-toe look for all upcoming occasions. Each fitting room will be equipped with a scanner and iPad for their stylist to scan each dress tried on which will upload to their "Virtual Closet." Customers can add notes to each dress they try on, and later view their closet at any time on www.renttherunway.com for future reference when booking rentals, blending a personalized shopping experience with innovative technology for the utmost in customer service.

Walk-in appointments are also welcome. Customers can easily browse dresses organized by occasion – from black tie and cocktail party, to date night or wedding – from designers such as Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang and ML Monique Lhiullier, among many others. Following customers' four or eight day rental, they can either return their dresses directly to Rent the Runway at Henri Bendel or send them back via the provided pre-paid mailing envelope.

"The Rent the Runway experience perfectly complements the Henri Bendel brand," stated Scott Schramm, SVP of Henri Bendel.  "Both Henri Bendel and Rent the Runway girls are looking to discover what's new and next in fashion and accessories.  Bringing Rent the Runway's online experience to life in our 5^th Avenue store is exciting and unexpected.  We like to constantly surprise and delight our customers."

Rent the Runway at Henri Bendel is located at 712 Fifth Avenue on Floor 2M in New York City. The showroom will be open from 10:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Saturday and from 12:00pm to 7:00pm on Sundays. Rent the Runway at Henri Bendel will also host a "Girls Night Out" event series with various beauty partners, offering women complimentary nail services, makeovers and additional beauty services to complete their head-to-toe look during the holiday season.

ABOUT RENT THE RUNWAY:

Rent the Runway has transformed the retail industry by making designer dress and accessory rentals a convenient and accessible luxury experience for millions of women. With door-to-door delivery, a free second-size, and access to personal stylists, Rent the Runway is a service that enables women to look and feel their most confident for any occasion. At 90% off retail, Rent the Runway provides the Cinderella experience for women everywhere.

ABOUT HENRI BENDEL:

Henri Bendel (www.henribendel.com), Manhattan's legendary Fifth Avenue boutique has long influenced the shape of American fashion with an unmistakable sense of style and a keen eye for the new and the next in women's fashion accessories and gifts. One of New York's chicest shopping destinations; the company now owns and operates 30 stores in the United States. Twitter: @HenriBendel

SOURCE Rent the Runway