S10 Ep5 ELITE REPEAT: Margy McCarthy is carrying on her grandmother Betty's 57-year-old consignment business - on resale in 1969, vintage furs, and the relationships that built it all.

Today, we're chatting with Margy McCarthy, a 29-year-old who did something most of us only dream about — she walked away from a corporate career to take over her grandmother's 57-year-old resale business, Elite Repeat. Grandma, Betty started Elite Repeat in 1969 in the Chicago suburbs as a consignment business. For over 50 years, she ran her shop with no website, no social media – just word of mouth, a gift for connection, and an eye for craftsmanship and quality in vintage pieces. All these years later, the regulars who came in with their moms are now coming in with their daughters. Our guest today, Margy, grew up with a front row seat to all of it — doing her homework on a vintage sofa in the consignment room, watching her grandmother and learning early that the real business wasn't the clothes. It was the relationships. On today's show, she'll share how she found her way back to Elite Repeat, as the  pull of the business became impossible to ignore.  In 2024, she sat down with her grandmother, who is now 92, and made it official. Since then, she's built Elite Repeat's first ever website, grown their audience on TikTok and Instagram, and attracted consignors flying in from the East Coast after finding Elite Repeat through her videos. Margy shares the story of how Betty built Elite Repeat from a single gown to a destination for St. John knits and vintage furs, and – speaking of – we'll  get into the craft of vintage fur: how to choose it, how to care for it, and why Margy thinks the renewed interest comes with a real responsibility. And we talk about what it means to carry forward something your grandmother built, brick by brick, for nearly six decades. DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:41] After leaving competitive diving, Margy found her interest in fashion rising. [5:06] Margy's early memories of being at Elite Repeat with her grandma. [6:47] How Betty started Elite Repeat in 1969, and grew the business entirely through word of mouth [10:48] How secondhand shopping has shifted over the decades [16:02] Taking the leap to leave her corporate job and take over Elite Repeat [17:24] What Betty taught Margy about running the business [19:22] The relationships at the heart of Elite Repeat [23:24] Expanding Elite Repeat's reach beyond the local community. [26:31] Facing the challenges of taking over — like building the website, learning photography, and navigating people and emotions.  [29:10] St. John knits are one of the shop's specialties.  [31:16] Elite Repeat has always specialized in vintage furs, and the responsibility behind recirculating vintage furs  [34:46] How to pick out an investment vintage fur coat — what to look for [36:04] How to take care of a vintage fur coat. [41:43] Margy's personal style philosophy includes tailoring, and dressing with intention [44:37] Special pieces and memorable finds.  EPISODE MENTIONS:  Elite Repeat @eliterepeatresale on Instagram @shopeliterepeat on TikTok The Merchandise Mart York Furrier Rae Harrison LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale  

Today, we're chatting with Monica and Scotti, a mother-daughter team behind CS80 Vintage who are rediscovering the 80s in a way neither of them expected.  Monica, who once worked in sporting goods and later built a career in photography and organizing – helping people deal with large-scale hoards and inventories, stumbled into a massive vintage collection during the pandemic. When the original owner, Franz, passed after years of illness, the inventory — tucked into basements, an attic, gazebos, and storage pods — just sat. Nobody knew what to do with it. Her daughter, Scotti, now 23, grew up thrifting and has always loved vintage – now she's helping mom preserve an incredible archive of true 1980s deadstock sportswear.  Neither Monica or Scotti set out to be vintage dealers. They've learned from conversations with experts and mentors and midnight eBay searches, like we all do.  They have uncovered what turns out to be — by the account of multiple experts — one of the largest deadstock vintage sportswear collections ever found: 10,000 pairs of sneakers, thousands of hats, blanks, jerseys, satin jackets, and more. Every single piece true deadstock, never worn, straight from the warehouse. On today's show, they'll share how they did it. All the sales strategies, collaborations and pop-ups. Scotty came home, built a website from scratch, launched their Instagram in December, and within two weeks had gained 28,000 followers. How their drops sell out reaching collectors from Paris to Japan.  A pair of boxing shoes sold to a film produced by Sylvester Stallone. Their clothes filled the set of a Target x Stranger Things commercial. But more than any of that, this is a story about honoring Franz's life work, about a mother and daughter collaboration, and about what it means to be the unexpected stewards of something rare. It's a really really good one — let's dive in.   DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [5:57] How Monica and Scotti came into the largest deadstock vintage sportswear collections known to exist. [12:21] How they started to discover the value of this collection. [14:14] A mentor warned Monica she could "destroy the vintage market" — and the responsibility to sell slowly. [15:12] Their first major sale was a buyer from Japan at the Alameda Flea Market — the moment Monica and her husband realized what they really had. [19:00] Scotti came home, launched a website for CS80 and started Instagram sales. [21:49] How pricing works differently depending on geography, buyer, and context — and why the story behind CS80 commands higher prices than comparable pieces. [24:07] Honoring Franz's life work and what it means to be the unexpected stewards of something so rare.  [30:32] Most surprising finds and holy grail collector moments [33:56] What they've learned about vintage labels and how a single label difference can change value by hundreds of dollars. [39:53] What happens when CS80 sells the last deadstock piece? [47:43] Favorite personal pieces they've kept, and what comes next. EPISODE MENTIONS:  CS80 Vintage @cs80vintage Chris Bond - Spiders Garage Alameda Flea Market Sneakercon Jordan at Shoezeum Sea Hive Station in San Diego CS80's viral TikTok Target x Stranger Things commercial Justin with Stuck in the 90s The Wordlsworst Expo LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale

On today's show, we're chatting with Sue Poole, the founder of At Source Vintage. Sue's love for fashion started young – she remembers many bold fashion moments from her teens – wearing a turquoise pencil skirt with rainbow leggings, buying her first designer piece, shopping the charity shops in London.  In 2020, Sue made a decision that changed everything: she stopped buying new clothes completely. What started as participating in Oxfam's Secondhand September challenge – where she committed to only wearing the secondhand pieces already in her wardrobe – turned into a permanent lifestyle shift. Four years later, she hasn't bought a single new item. This commitment didn't just change how Sue shops – it revolutionized her entire relationship with fashion. She went from following trends and scrolling through brand algorithms to becoming a vintage expert who tracks down 1970s YSL toweling caftans, collects Celine blouses, and once scored an '80s Hermès velour lounge suit on eBay for £18. In 2022, she launched her own curated vintage business, At Source Vintage, and since Sue's been featured in British Vogue, she showcases at London vintage fairs, and her Instagram is a masterclass in styling vintage pieces in ways that make them feel completely contemporary.  We talk about the styling challenge that started it all for her, and how secondhand shopping is actually about right-sizing our relationship with clothing  – finding your style through vintage, breaking free from consumption cycles, and proving that you don't need to buy new clothes to dress incredibly well. It's a fun one, so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:27] Sue's always been a fashion-lover, and shares her early style memories. [6:38] Her earliest secondhand experiences and London's vintage scene [9:46] Why she took Oxfam's Secondhand September Challenge in 2020. [11:23] Practical strategies that helped her stick to buying only secondhand [14:57] How the challenge transformed her relationship with fashion [19:51] How her personal style has shifted since adopting a secondhand wardrobe. [22:28] Getting off trend cycles and tracking down vintage versions of runway pieces [26:52] The joy of researching vintage pieces and dating labels [29:52] Starting At Source Vintage, her curated vintage brand [37:20] The rise of secondhand shopping and what has changed [43:55] Her vintage wishlist and holy grail finds [50:29] Her best deal ever: an £18 Hermès lounge suit on eBay [54:33] Shout-outs to vintage sellers and fashion historians to follow EPISODE MENTIONS:  Sue's Instagram At Source Vintage British Vogue feature Portobello Market Oxfam Secondhand September Somewhere in Hackney Kate at Converted Closet Jacquemus runway video  British Heart Foundation charity shops Frock Me Second Life Markets Angelina - Just What You Know Rebecca - Documenting Fashion Frank Akinsete - Souled out at the House of Provenance Known Source Orsola de Castro on Pre-Loved Podcast Emily and Clare Press on Wardrobe Crisis LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale  

On today's show, we're chatting with Hannah Englehart, a vintage dealer in Minneapolis at Olio Vintage, and the creator and designer of a new upcycled clothing line, Soft Jaws, which she just launched. Hannah's journey into vintage started with thrifting with her grandma in Ohio, and hunting for treasures in Amish country antique stores. After working at Plato's Closet as a teen, and selling vintage on Depop part-time for three years while grinding through corporate jobs, Hannah took a leap– she saved up six months of living expenses and moved to Minneapolis to sell vintage full-time. Within 72 hours of arriving in town, she was set up at the Minneapolis Vintage Market, meeting the community that would become her creative collaborators and her vintage people. Now she's part of the Olio Vintage collective, where she's found the stability and support to expand into styling and design. She worked as wardrobe stylist on indie films, and – after teaching herself to sew on YouTube – she's just launched Soft Jaws – a clothing line featuring reversible tie-front blouses made from vintage linens and reclaimed textiles. We talk about the collective model that allows vintage dealers to support each other, her holy grail finds, and why she's auctioning a rare Bonnie Cashin bag to support Immigrant Law Center Minnesota. This conversation is all about finding your people, building community, and creating something meaningful, and I think you'll really enjoy it – so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [5:01] Thrifting with her grandma in middle school in the suburbs of Ohio. [7:53] Working at Plato's Closet as a teenager [10:07] When Hannah knew she wanted to work in vintage, styling for her friend's photography projects validated that path [12:31] Meeting the founders of Olio Vintage at a local market and becoming one of their first guest vendors [13:47] Why Hannah is a big believer in the vintage collective model and how transparency benefits everyone [15:23] How she knew it was the right time to dive into selling vintage full-time after squirreling away six months of living expenses [19:05] What makes the Minneapolis vintage scene so special  [22:02] How Minneapolis vintage dealers are responding to the ICE occupation [25:22] Burning out in her second year of selling full-time and how she restructured her time to make space for styling and design [28:34] Teaching herself to sew on YouTube and spending a year perfecting her first pattern for Soft Jaws [37:08] Advice for aspiring vintage sellers - don't let the "oversaturated" narratives discourage you [38:33] On personal style, treating winter as a "fashion assignment," and her holy grail finds.  EPISODE MENTIONS:  Lobster Garden Vintage Soft Jaws Olio Vintage Immigrant Law Center Minnesota Woman Land Film Minneapolis Vintage Market  Carrie Martinson, founder of Olio  Pre-Loved's 2025 Vintage Dealer Income Survey Results Why Vintage Dealers in Collectives Earn More How Minneapolis Vintage Dealers Responded to ICE Occupation Moth Oddities Little Dipper  Oubliette Leah - LJN Pictures The Standard Market - March 7 LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale

On today's show, we're chatting with Tacee Webb, the original founder of Red Light Vintage in Seattle – a store she first opened in her early 20s in 1996 and is now buying back from its current owners 30 years later! Full circle story! Red Light has been a Seattle institution since the grunge era, known for its eclectic mix of vintage finds from the 1930s through the 1990s, its vibrant community spirit, and oh yes – its legendary naked shopping sprees. In this episode, Tacee takes us on a journey that starts on a tiny island near the Canadian border, where she grew up surrounded by her family's belongings dating back to the 1860s – from her Native American grandmother's furniture to Victorian dresses in the old log cabin. She shares how selling rusty anchors and clay pinch pots on the beach as a kid planted the seeds for a career in retail, and how an encounter with a glamorous vintage dealer in her teens changed everything for her. We dive into the wild days of Red Light in the '90s – when MTV was filming there, Courtney Love was tearing through the store, and Tacee became one of the biggest sneaker resellers in the business – at the time she was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, NPR, People, CNN, and tons of magazines in Japan. "We would get 100 voice mails a day – people calling me to sell their sneakers from all over the country, it was WILD!" Tacee wrote me.  She shares stories about styling Alice in Chains for Rolling Stone, hosting bands like Modest Mouse in the store's cafe, and why she old Red Light in 1999, the bittersweet reality of watching Seattle boom and price out the creative class. Late last year, when she saw the Vanishing Seattle post announcing the original store's potential closure, she knew she wanted it back. Now, partnering with her daughter – who's been part of the Red Light story since she was a baby – Tacee is bringing back the beloved traditions while reimagining vintage retail for a new generation. It's a conversation spanning decades of vintage fashion history from someone who's lived it all. This episode is SUCH a fun one, so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [7:09] Growing up on the San Juan islands in Washington, and her first "store" called The Rust Factory. [10:42] How Tacee's style evolved from small-town vintage fashion lover, influenced by Madonna, her Pan Am flight attendant mother's Pucci collection, and family heirlooms. [15:46] Her first encounter with vintage dealer Gloria and putting a 1890s wedding gown on layaway as a teenager. [18:59] Red Light became a vintage hub on the Avenue in Seattle after it opened in 1996. [22:12] Red Light was grunge rock headquarters including a cafe space where bands like Modest Mouse played, and MTV filming there constantly. [26:34] How Red Light approached vintage retail like traditional retail in the '90s. [28:15] The reworking and upcycling happening at Red Light in the '90s  [29:38] Stories from the grunge era: styling Layne Staley for Rolling Stone, having Kurt Cobain's clothing in the store, and Courtney Love's shopping sprees. [37:36] Why Tacee sold Red Light in Seattle back in 1999. [42:15] How seeing the Vanishing Seattle post about Red Light potentially closing made Tacee realize she wanted her store back. [44:06] Partnering with her daughter – who has been part of Red Light since she was a baby– to take over ownership. [48:27] Red Light will re-open under Tacee right in time for its 30th anniversary, with a celebration weekend including a fashion show, and the return of the naked shopping spree. [56:42] Reimagining Red Light for a new generation with a membership-based vintage wardrobe lending library. [1:05:08] People kept asking Tacee when vintage would "go out of style" in the '90s, and her philosophy on fashion cycles. [1:08:33] How Tacee created vintage denim and sneaker buying guides in the '90s (pre-internet!) to educate dealers and pickers. [1:09:58]  Tacee's massive sneaker buying operation and trips to Japan. [1:22:54] Her parents' incredible vintage collection on the San Juan island [1:25:12] Plans for an anti-fascist themed fashion show as a benefit for ACLU and other local organizations, including other vintage shops and dealers. EPISODE MENTIONS:  @redlightvintage Red Light Vintage Vanishing Seattle LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale

On today's show, we're chatting with Karyn Dethrow, owner of Dethrose Vintage in Chicago. Dethrose Vintage specializes in ultra-rare pieces, and Karyn takes pride in restoring every find – from the 1910s through the 1990s – to as close to its original state as possible, so it's ready to be worn and loved again as soon as it arrives at your door. In this episode, Karyn shares her journey into vintage, which started with her vintage dealer sister introducing her to the Bins in Southern Illinois, where she found some of her first 1940s pieces. She shares why vintage from the 1930s became her specialty – from bias cuts to the era's unexpected boldness – and why she feels it's a standout era that influenced fashion for decades to come. We talk about the serendipitous vintage buys she's had with former-strangers, her philosophy on rescuing vintage fur coats for sustainability, plus, her tips for cleaning and caring for delicate vintage textiles, and why Chicago's vintage community finally got the show it deserved with Pickwick. It's a warm, inspiring conversation about building a vintage business with integrity – from someone who has been at this a while and knows her stuff, so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [2:45] Karyn's sister was a vintage dealer, and she would take her to the Bins and the thrift stores as a teenager.  [4:19] She had always loved 1930s-40s style from old movies. [7:22] When she started her Etsy shop, it sold out in two days [12:09] Her very first market was the Rosebowl. [14:43] Pickwick Vintage's first time in Chicago.  [16:11] How Karyn found her brand voice and vintage specialties. [17:45] Why the 1930s is such an influential era in fashion history [23:33] Vintage coats are the hot item of the year!  [26:32] Tips for caring, storing, and mending vintage pieces [32:43] The story of her first major professional vintage buy [38:32] Pieces she's saved for over a year for the perfect moment [43:04] How the vintage space has changed and advice for newcomers [48:19] Long haul pieces she'll never part with & other favorite finds EPISODE MENTIONS:  @dethrosevintage Dethrose Vintage Pickwick Vintage Rosebowl Flea Knee Deep Vintage Pre-Loved's coverage of Pickwick Vintage in Chicago Retroclean @lostgirlsvintage Gem Search  Dial M for Modern LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl KT  Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura  

On today's show, we're chatting with Renée Morin, Chief Sustainability Officer at eBay. eBay has been in the resale game since 1995 – long before 'recommerce' was even a term. Today, as Chief Sustainability Officer, Renée leads eBay's environmental programs and sustainability strategy. In this episode, Renée shares her journey from being the kid who petitioned her school to stop using styrofoam plates to leading sustainability efforts at one of the world's largest recommerce platforms. She shares how her time in the Peace Corps brought environmental concerns into sharp focus, and how she found her way to the perfect career at the intersection of sustainability and business at eBay. Plus, she breaks down eBay's fifth annual Recommerce Report, which has just been released – revealing that nine in ten consumers plan to maintain or increase their secondhand spending, with Gen Z leading the charge.  We dive into how tech is revolutionizing the search and listing experience, why Renée thinks "thrill of the find" is replacing "thrill of the hunt," and what policy changes could accelerate the circular economy. It's an eye-opening conversation about where recommerce has been and where it's headed next, so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: eBay's 2025 Recommerce Report [3:24] Renée grew up thrifting and crafting with her mom. [5:39] How her time in the Peace Corps brought environmental concerns into sharp focus. [12:45] Where the recommerce space is going next, headed into 2026. [16:24] In 2025, shopping secondhand is officially mainstream. [23:27] Why buyers and sellers consider themselves part of a recommerce community. [31:08] 78% of consumers globally (82% in the U.S.) are more likely to purchase a secondhand gift this year compared to last. [32:57]  What policy changes could accelerate the circular economy. [37:40] Why eBay brings sellers to Capitol Hill  [40:28] Why fashion might be the gateway into recommerce, but it's expanding to all categories. [42:53] The special secondhand pieces in Renée's closet LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl KT  Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura

On today's show, we're chatting with Annapurna Rogers, a Brooklyn-based vintage curator and the owner of Annapurna Vintage. Anna specializes in exceptional pieces from the 1960s through the 1990s for the modern woman – think well-constructed blazers, iconic coats, and those showstopper garments that elevate any wardrobe. In this episode, she shares her journey from growing up as a thrift-loving kid in Portland, Oregon – where she'd walk to Valley Village and find mod 60s dresses to wear to middle school – to running the daily operations of the Arcade vintage store for A Current Affair in Industry City, Brooklyn, and eventually launching her own business.  She opens up about what she's learned from vintage-selling mentors, and about navigating the world of high-end vintage markets – including what's hot right now, and her philosophy on building a collection around quality and design  Plus, the unbelievable moment when Sabrina Carpenter's stylist reached out for a piece she'd just sold. What would you even do? It's a really fun one full of great stories and advice, so let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [2:52] Growing up, Annapurna visited the Value Village for vintage, and her mom made a lot of her clothes. [8:12] Her design internship in London that made her realize styling might be a good job for her [10:25] Her winding career path that eventually led her to vintage – - from restaurant management to high-end boutiques. [12:55] She started out in vintage by helping her friend get ready for the A Current Affair shows. [18:05] But she opened her Etsy store in 2016 to sell some of her personal collection [18:48] She gets her big break into vintage when A Current Affair opened a store in Industry City and needed a manager.  [23:52] Learning to source based on public demand [31:04] How Annapurna developed her own vintage specialties. [34:33] She loves female designers like Anne Klein and Donna Karen.  [41:19] Stocking both practical wardrobe staples and showstopper pieces, and the pressure dealers feel to find showstoppers for markets. [43:16] Preparing for major markets like A Current Affair and Pickwick. [47:16] What's hot right now: suede coats, leather jackets, feather coats, and silk slip dresses [51:02] When Sabrina Carpenter's stylist reached out for a piece she'd just sold [52:52] Holy grail finds she still thinks about, and other pieces from her personal collection EPISODE MENTIONS:  Annapurna Vintage Annapurna's Etsy Will, of The Find Pickwick Vintage A Current Affair Omnia Magpie Vintage Redlight Clothing Exchange Arcade James Veloria Amarcord Saint Laurent ivory leather top Recreo Reinspired Samantha Knight Swanee Grace @lesansfin Lesansfin Past Lives Studio Studio Nordic LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl KT  Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura

On today's show, we're chatting with Stef, the founder of Costura, a Y2K vintage fashion business that does serious volume on Whatnot. Stef started reselling full-time after losing her job during the pandemic, and for the last three and a half years, she's been hosting live auctions on the livestream platform, Whatnot – sometimes she even goes live daily.  In this episode, she shares how she's built a loyal community of cool people who love early 2000s fashion, plus her best tips for livestream sales. Earlier this year, Stef teamed up with a few business partners to make her biggest buyout yet, and then spent three and half months in Los Angeles, continuously going live until she sold the lots – it's a wild story and she's always on the move between Miami and LA hunting down one-of-a-kind Y2K treasures. I'll let her share the scoop on how she does it. This is a really fun one – let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:57] How Stef started selling vintage after getting laid off from her job in television production. [6:27] Her first time visiting a rag house. [11:32] Things really clicked when Stef got on Whatnot [15:09] Building an audience of Whatnot regulars: resellers, collectors, and everyday shoppers [17:15] Stef's biggest buyout yet: 1,000 pieces of Y2K deadstock [21:41] How to have a successful vintage live show [33:34] Living and selling vintage between Miami and Los Angeles [37:13] How Stef approaches social media, showing up on TikTok and Instagram [41:19] The vintage in her personal collection that she will never sell [46:05] Her holy grail find is a Jean Paul Gaultier piece from the bins EPISODE MENTIONS:  @houseofcostura Stef on TikTok Shop Costura on Whatnot Stef's upcoming Mandalay show @bleumi.bleumi @busyladybaca Whatnot LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl KT  Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura  

On today's show, we're chatting with Hilliary—a vintage collector and event producer who's building community at the intersection of sustainability and style. Hilliary is the founder of Circle of Friends, where she hosts The Stoop Series—a live interview series that's making circular fashion accessible and inspiring. With Circle of Friends, she's using her platform to elevate the voices of vintage dealers, sustainable brands, and circular economy innovators, showing people why secondhand should always be the first choice. And if you're a collector yourself, you're going to love this conversation. In this episode, Hilliary shares her journey with circular fashion – how she fell in love with vintage markets while studying abroad in Florence, to her growing silver collection of hosting and homewares. Plus, how she's restoring a 1899 Brooklyn townhouse entirely with vintage and secondhand finds. Oh yeah – and we talk Brimfield, she's a Brimfield fanatic, just like me. What I love about Hilliary's approach is that she's building a vintage-filled life through relationships and community – she's built connections with vendors at markets like Brimfield who remember her, save pieces for her, and have become genuine friends. Very within the ethos of Circle of Friends. This is a really fun one – let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:20] Hilliary grew up a fashion-lover, and her first big purchase was saving up to buy a Kate Spade backpack. [7:44] Her journey into a sustainable fashion career. [13:14] Starting "Something Borrowed Never New" - her original Substack focused on re-use during wedding season [17:08] Why she started Circle of Friends  and The Stoop Series [20:37] Conversations that have expanded her understanding of circularity - from fashion to food to home [26:36] Restoring a 1899 Brooklyn townhouse entirely with vintage and secondhand finds.  [35:07] Her go-to Brimfield fields and vendors [42:10] How she's building and using her vintage silver collection for hosting [48:31] Learning upholstery to restore vintage furniture herself EPISODE MENTIONS:  Hilliary Bianca Salamanca @yourcircleoffriends Hilliary's Substack I did the Stoop Series with Circle of Friends! Terratela Terratela on Circle of Friends Helena Elston Studio Helena on Circle of Friends Rachel Glicksberg Don't Let Disco Ashley from Don't Let Disco on Pre-Loved Podcast LET'S CONNECT:  📸Instagram: @emilymstochl 🐦Threads: @emilymstochl 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/  🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl KT  Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura