New Beat For Marley’s Daughter

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Karen Marley, daughter of Jamaican reggae icon Bob Marley, loves music but says fashion is her passion. That’s why she teamed up with her friend and fashion blogger Monique Aquino to open a resale store later this month in downtown Los Angeles.

The store – Buttons and Bows Los Angeles – will offer used designer and vintage fashion at affordable prices. Sellers can bring in items from their closet to sell to the store outright or on consignment.

Some members of the Marley clan have capitalized on the family name in business – Rohan Marley, for example, uses his dad’s image to sell Jammin Java coffee – but Karen said that’s not her plan for the store.

“I am proud that he’s my dad, but the store is not about being Bob Marley’s daughter,” she said. “With the store it’s really about me and my friend Mo. It’s about us, our style and our vision.”

Marley and Aquino met through mutual friends about five years ago and through casual conversation came up with the idea for the store.

“First we wanted to do a new-merchandise boutique, but the economy was bad,” Aquino said. “We talked with our financial adviser, and she said, ‘That’s a really bad idea.’ ”

Instead, the duo got started almost two years ago selling some of the things Marley had in her closet on eBay.com to build capital. When they decided to go brick and mortar, they picked downtown Los Angeles because of the growing number of creative people living and working there.

“It’s really cool to be downtown now. It’s a movement,” Marley said. “Why not jump on it while it’s young?”

Construction on the interior of the 750-square-foot space began early last week, and they’re now gathering merchandise to fill the store.

Aquino said the store will sell used designer tops at more than 70 percent off retail prices – a Marc Jacobs top that sells for $200 new might go for $45. Also, prices for consignment items won’t be more than $500.

Those who sell their clothes to the store will get 37 percent of the expected sales price. In a consignment, the seller will get 55 percent when the item is purchased.

If the store declines to buy items, sellers will be invited to leave them as donations to Midnight Mission and other charities servicing the downtown community.

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