What inspired you to start luxecycled?

I work in healthcare with people who have Parkinson's disease, helping them secure co-pay assistance through nonprofit foundations. It's serious work, so I wanted something more fun and light as a creative outlet. I love fashion and quality pieces, but I also value sustainability. I feel like everything from electronics to clothing has become so disposable. This inspired me to prioritize quality over quantity. The designer aspect fascinates me because clothes, bags, and accessories are incredible pieces of history, especially vintage treasures. It's something that can be shared across all generations, bringing fashion history to younger people in a way that's gratifying and comes full circle.

Luxecycled often gives pre-loved luxury items a second life. Can you share more about your experience working with Purse Rehab?

Purse Rehab does such good work. I have a Prada wallet that I found at a vintage boutique–the structure was really good, but it was faded in unusual areas like it had been left in a car or in the sun. It came with its original authenticity card showing the color name, and Purse Rehab was able to look it up online, find the exact color, and match it perfectly. They're so talented and focus on protecting the integrity of each piece, keeping it in as much of its original state as possible while making necessary repairs. The quality of their work is top-notch–whether it's painting, color-matching (which they do by hand!), or stitching. Everything they put out is exceptional.

Do you have a favorite transformation story about an item that went through an incredible before-and-after journey?

I have a couple of favorites. First my Prada wallet, but also a Miu Miu clutch that I got when I was in Tokyo that had color transfer on it. They did a color touchup rather than repainting the whole thing. There was a dark blue line straight down the middle, and Talen's husband Leavonne repainted it in a way that protected the integrity of the bag, keeping as much of its original state as possible. You can't even tell it was repaired.

What is it about vintage that makes it special to you?

I think the hunt for vintage pieces and the story each piece holds is so important. Each item has its own history and is about to begin a new chapter in its journey. It reminds me of Toy Story, where a doll ends up in the Goodwill box but then finds a whole new life and happiness. One person's trash is another person's treasure–it's all perspective. I work extensively with Purse Rehab, especially with designer bags, shoes, belts, and accessories, having them cleaned, conditioned, and repaired. It's crucial to take time for repairs and conditioning, really investing in each piece and extending its life so it can have a new home and start its next chapter with a new person.

What has been the most rewarding part of luxecycled so far?

I love finding younger people in the newer generation who really value vintage and designer pieces. My employee, Haley, is 25 and has a deep appreciation for designer things, beautiful things, and the history behind them. The sustainability factor is also really important for our environment, especially when you see videos of clothes washing up on beaches. Regarding trends, I question if certain styles ever truly go out of fashion. As a '90s girl, I see '90s styles returning, but I wonder–did boot cut jeans ever really go out? Did skinny jeans? I think quality pieces just rotate in your closet rather than becoming obsolete. Trends are cycling much faster now– - it used to be a 10-year cycle, then five, and now even faster. If you invest in good quality pieces and maintain variety, there's really no reason to discard things because they'll come back, and some pieces are simply classics you can always make work.

Which luxury brands have you found to be particularly resilient through the years?

I feel like the top two are Chanel and Hermes. The quality of those products is really good. Every single piece of Hermes I have is gorgeous–just so beautiful and timeless. I think people who spend that kind of money tend to take better care of their bags. Still, there's a lot of opportunity for education on how we can condition our bags and take care of them. There are products available now where you can spray the bag to protect from water damage, and Purse Rehab does all that and sells products for it too. We can empower our audience, clients, and customers to do that –it's all about education.

Regarding Chanel, anything that's pre-2008 is always something I'm a sucker for. Even though some might think the styles aren't current, I believe they're always classic if someone has stored the bag properly. The hardware on these bags is 24 karat gold-plated–nobody does that anymore. That's what Chanel was doing with every single bag pre-2008. These pieces are just beautiful classics, like a neutral taupe that you can wear so many different ways. The Chanel bags, the quality - everything about them is timeless. The hardware stays so shiny because it's 24 karat gold-plated.

You do closet cleanouts and some consignment. Can you tell us - more about those connections and experiences?

A lot of my friends are older. My girlfriend Eleanor, who likes to be called Elio, is 96 and we were just going through some pieces in her closet. She's not ready to part with everything, but wanted to explore consignment options. She had the most amazing pieces. That's my favorite part of the job–going through someone else's treasure and their memories because there's always a memory tied to the bag. She could tell me, "I got this bag when I was in Paris. It was my first trip to Paris," and share the sweetest memories. She wants her granddaughter to have it now.

I was at this vintage store that I frequent quite a bit when a woman came in with Chanel belts and what she thought was just costume jewelry from her mom who had passed away. Everything was from the 1980s, so it was all 24 karat gold-plated. She had no idea about the value. I asked the store to pass along my number, not to buy directly from her, but because I wanted to talk about the history of the pieces I was purchasing. When we spoke, she said, "I held on to some stuff and I'm so glad I did." She shared stories about pieces I purchased, which I can then share with my customers. It's about carrying on the legacy of the previous owner and their memories - really preserving the heritage of each piece.

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