Melinda Gibbs Three Colours White Interview

Melinda Gibbs Three Colours White Interview

Is your wedding dress taking up cupboard space and likely to never to see the light of day again?

A new website created by savvy Melbourne mum, Melinda Gibbs, can help you turn it into that designer handbag you've had your eye on.

For a one-off $30 fee, the website lets you list your wedding dress until it is sold. All that is required to start advertising are some snaps of your dress and a few details to describe it.

'After my wedding day, my dress got boxed up and took up valuable wardrobe space for years," recalled Melinda.
'When I finally got around to selling it, it was such a delight to see it make someone else's dream day - and the money I received in return helped me pay for a new designer handbag!
'It was at that point that I decided to develop a website to connect brides with brides, and three colours white was born."

three colours white brings together buyers and sellers of new, sample and used wedding dresses and accessories from all over Australia.

Sellers can upload their ad in four simple steps:
1. Create an Account;
2. Fill in details about the dress;
3. Upload images; and
4. Submit listing fee via PayPal®
It's that simple.

'One bride earns some cash, another saves a bundle - it's win-win!" exclaimed Melinda.

For more information on how to list your wedding dress and accessories, visit www.threecolourswhite.com.au

Interview with Melinda Gibbs

Question: What inspired Three Colours White?

Melinda Gibbs: Three Colours White is an online portal for buying and selling new, used and sample designer wedding dresses and accessories.

Question: What is Three Colours White?

Melinda Gibbs: I originally designed and produced wedding dresses for private clients. Most of my previous bridal customers didn't know what to do with the dress after their wedding day and so I decided to tap into that market of selling used wedding dresses.


Question: Why did you originally decide to sell your own wedding dress?

Melinda Gibbs: My wedding dress hung for years in my wardrobe, surrounded by an invasion of maternity clothes. When I finally got around to selling it, it was such a delight to see it make someone else's dream day - and the money I received in return helped me pay my obstetrician's bills.


Question: What was important about ensuring your website allowed brides to list accessories?

Melinda Gibbs: Brides shouldn't have to spend a fortune on their wedding gown to look amazing – especially when the majority only wear their dress once. I think the same can be said for bridal accessories, so I wanted to offer the ability for brides to buy and sell their accessories as well.


Question: Can you talk us through the step-by-step process?

Melinda Gibbs: Girls in the market for a wedding dress can browse the range of designer gowns for sale at www.threecolourswhite.com.au.
And when their dream day is over, they can jump online sell it to another bride-to-be. Sellers can upload their ad in four simple steps:
1. Create an Account;
2. Fill in details about the dress;
3. Upload images; and
4. Submit listing fee via PayPal.


Question: What is the cost to list a wedding dress on the site?

Melinda Gibbs: For a one-off $30 fee, the website lets you list your wedding dress until it is sold. Accessories are listed for a one-off fee of $5.


Question: What brands of dresses feature on the site?

Melinda Gibbs: There's an large range of designer gowns listed on the site, ranging from Arushie through to Vera Wang.


Question: Can you talk us through the slogan -turn your wedding dress into a designer handbag'?

Melinda Gibbs: When it's time to sell your wedding dress, who wouldn't want to turn that spare cash into their next designer handbag?


Question: What is the biggest advantages for brides who choose to buy second hand dresses?
Melinda Gibbs: The biggest advantages of buying online is without a doubt: the ease; and the cost savings. Brides can view and purchase online if they're confident (or visit the seller and try on before purchasing). The cost savings speak for themselves. In many cases, wedding dresses are listed at half the retail price or less. That money could be used to invite extra guests to your wedding or upgrade your honeymoon plans.


Question: What are your top tips for choosing the ideal wedding dress?

Melinda Gibbs: Look far and wide and don't limit yourself the the style you thought would suit you. I've often seen brides buy a style they were convinced wouldn't suit them and it ended up being the perfect choice for them. Try some styles on at retail stores before buying online.


Question: When buying a dress online, what things should brides be looking for?

Melinda Gibbs: I recommend for brides to research the return policy when buying online. Often sellers are happy to return the gown if it's returned within the approved timeframe in the same condition. Also it's a great idea to check the purchase/production date so you know how old the dress is and ultimately the dress should be dry cleaned prior to purchasing.


Question: What advice do you have for brides using your site to sell their wedding dress?

Melinda Gibbs: Brides selling their wedding dress should use the best photos possible to showcase in their advertisement. Preferably use your wedding photos – that's when the dress (and you) look their very best. If you're unable to use wedding photos, try as best you can to have someone wearing the dress so potential buyers can visualise themselves on their big day. It's an emotional and very big purchase, so it's hard to sell dresses that aren't displayed to their full potential.


Interview by Brooke Hunter