1. When did you start? And when did you start getting into fashion?
I started up-cycling clothing in 2021 but I began my career as an independent womenswear designer, in South Africa in 2009. Like many in fashion, I’ve reinvented myself many times since. I started sewing as a teenager and then studied fashion after school. Really, I just wanted to make and wear cool clothes — our access to good brands and new things felt limited in SA. There was always this energy that if you wanted to experience or discover something new, you should make it yourself.
2. Why did you start it?
I started up-cycling and reworking garments because at the time, in 2021, I was living on a boat, and I was desperate to create something again, but I had limited space. Using an existing garment allowed me to cut and sew in the small a space I had on the boat without having to make room to roll out fabrics and patterns. I also felt inspired to create functional shirts that had a point of difference. I missed getting dressed up like I used to, before life on the boat, and so adding in versatile detailing to classic button-ups meant I could dress for functionality, and still have an element of ‘fashion’ in my outfits — without looking out of place in my surroundings. The design details always come back to this idea — fashion meets everyday function and ease.
3. Where did your influence for the shop come from? Any major style influences?
I always look to the runways. Bottega, Lemaire — luxury. I love the challenge of finding details that I can translate, into an existing shirt or jacket, and make what is classic, second hand menswear, feel completely new.
4. Whats your favourite part of the job?
Reimagining the new garment. I try on each piece I source to get a feel for the proportion, and I’ll chalk mark the details onto the piece, either on my body or a mannequin. It’s the fun part before all the cutting and reconstruction begins.
5. Whats your favourite item you own?
It changes from time to time, and I hate to play favourites, but currently it’s my Jane Jacket. It’s a reworked design of mine with a scarf detail, that never fails to make any outfit look so chic and elevated.
6. Whats your dream item, or an item you regret letting go of?
I sold a lot of my old runway samples from my first business when I was leaving South Africa, to move to the UK. It was necessary to downscale, but I wish I had kept some of the pieces. A dream item for me currently is a Charvet shirt from the recent Chanel runway. It’s totally out of reach for me — but I can dream.
7. Where do you want to take the business?
The next step would be to collaborate with brands on reworking deadstock. It would allow me to be more size inclusive and expand into selling wholesale. Beyond that, I’m open to where this project might take me.
8. What motivates you?
Existentially? It’s obviously the pursuit of happiness, more love. That’s the base line that everything can be routed back to. I say that because my personal and professional life bleed into one. In today’s world, I feel it’s more important than ever to understand why we do things and why we feel the need to create. If any decision I make for this project feels in conflict with one of those two things — I won’t do it.
9. One bit of advice for anyone starting a 2nd hand business.
Make your own rules. Not all business models work when dealing with 2nd hand fashion. There are the basics, sure, but there is so much room to play, experiment and try new things.
