Climate crisis, war and inflation are forcing fashion and luxury brands finally to embrace the second-hand market. Demand for pre-loved watches, dresses, handbags and jewellery has exploded and is likely to remain strong with consumers fretful about the future. In the past year, many big brands such as Cartier, Rolex and Gucci and Balenciaga have partnered with specialist retailers to offer sell-second hand items. They know that customers demand it and that’s where the market is going. Other brands are expected to follow suit including Audemars Piguet in watches. But in our age of anxiety, why buy something for forever when you can rent it and live for today? That’s the argument fueling a surge in start-ups in the rental market for fancy dresses and handbags, the most high-profile of which is New York-listed Rent the Runway.