Meet the Trader: Walconcept

Waliou Olyitan Odededji has been trading in the Market with Walconcept for 14 years, hunting down the finest vintage designer fashion and accessories, one perfect piece at a time. From Chanel suits to Valentino bags and Versace ties.

What was the inspiration behind Walconcept?

My mum used to travel all around the world for fabric and clothing. That’s where I learned it from. So that’s where I got the knowledge around the fabric and the clothing and that’s where the inspiration comes from. Everything I do in my life, you have to do it for my mum.

You’ve been trading in the Market for 14 years. Has what people are looking for changed during that time?

There’s not been a big change in what people want, but there’s been a change in how the new generation shop. They buy more online and they are not used to shopping in markets and being able to see and touch the product.

Do you have any surprising bestsellers in the Market?

I had always sold  the vintage designer clothing. But the ties led on from that. The idea came from one of my good customers, actually. He told me that people like lawyers have to wear ties all the time, but the shops selling them like Tie Rack have all closed down. They want ties they won’t find in other places.

Lots of the designer brands don’t do clothing for men, but they do make men’s ties.

What’s the secret to being successful in the Market?

When you look at big companies like Apple, they are not selling products, they’re selling the service.

Every visit you have to really focus on the service, because that’s why you’re going to have return customers back. Everybody can do what I’m doing. The one thing that will make it is the service I’m giving. And for me, I’m still here today because of the service, not because of the project. This is what I love doing.

Where do you shop and eat when you’re in the market?

I love the pasta from Tre Rote, Cafe Caribbean and the pizza at Sud Italia as well.

But my favourite is Dumpling Shack. I like the prawn dumplings.

You’ll fine Walconcept in the Market every Friday to Monday next to Juice Guys by the Brushfield Street gate.

@walconcept