A creative approach to fashion sales has captured the internet's imagination, thanks to Cara O'Brien, a 23-year-old barista from Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Since 2023, O'Brien has been using her Djungelskog teddy bear from Ikea as the star model for her clothing sales on Vinted, making significant strides both financially and socially.
O'Brien started her Vinted account, named "roast_potatoes," around 2021. Initially, her sales were modest, averaging only one sale per month. But all of this changed when she got the idea to use her teddy bear as a mannequin. Inspired by another seller's use of a cardboard cut-out of actor Danny DeVito, she thought to herself, "I had the idea to use the bear for ages and he was just sat there on my bed. I thought, 'I think he'd fit in a skirt.'" This turning point has led to immense popularity and marked the beginning of her now thriving online business.
Since introducing the bear to her posts, O'Brien has seen her earnings surge to approximately £500, and her follower count on Vinted has jumped to 525. On social media platforms, her posts featuring the bear have garnered over 200,000 views, showcasing just how effective this quirky idea has become.
O'Brien's teddy bear has been dressed elegantly, showcasing various outfits ranging from crop tops and mini skirts to dresses. Often captured with comical poses, the bear has charmed viewers by even mirroring iconic looks from pop culture, such as one pose reminiscent of Madonna's Vogue music video. O'Brien remarked, "Before using Djungelskog, I made maybe one sale a month, but now I make maybe one or two a week." This new strategy makes her clothing stand out among the competition on Vinted, where many sellers offer similar items.
She humorously admits, though, to some of the mannequin's limitations. "It's a bit of a squeeze; I’ve tried to put trousers on him before and it’s just not really worked." To address this, she's planning to introduce a smaller version of the bear for items too snug for the original. "I am also going to try and put a pair of shoes on him because I feel like the proportions will be very funny," O'Brien added, noting how adding some hilarious elements has become part of the appeal.
The teddy bear has won the hearts of many online, with several users expressing their desire to purchase the plush toy itself. "A lot of people message me about buying the bear and saying they love the model and it’s so cute. I did have an argument with one girl because she was adamant she was going to buy my bear," she recounted. This light-hearted yet enthusiastic interaction with customers has made selling far more enjoyable for her.
Until recently, Cara O'Brien was just another barista working to make ends meet. Now, she’s gained attention online thanks to her innovative approach to marketing, proving how creativity and humor can pay off. With each outfit change and playful post, O’Brien continues to engage her growing audience. What was once no more than unwanted clothes has transformed her life, inspired by her cuddly sidekick, Djungelskog. This successful endeavor has not only boosted her income but also brought smiles and laughter to countless social media users, creating truly heartwarming interactions.
Although it started as just another way to promote her items, the result has far exceeded O'Brien's expectations, allowing her to make online selling fun. This tactic serves as proof of how diverse strategies can turn mundane activities, such as selling clothes, exciting and potentially fruitful ventures.
O'Brien’s story is not just about selling clothes; it's about thinking outside the box, embracing whimsy, and leveraging the charm of the unexpected to tap directly at the heart of social media. The gig economy is vibrant with possibilities, where creativity reigns supreme. Djungelskog, the bear who started it all, has become not just her selling tool but her mascot of success—a symbol of innovative thinking and late-night inspiration, now making people smile through every post on her Vinted account.