Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl

This episode is brought to you by ThredUp —and big news: their tech just got a serious upgrade, go check it out! Plus, new customers get 50% off and free shipping when you use the code: PRELOVEDPOD. On today’s show, we’re chatting with Ken, the founder of Stylebidder, a secondhand shop specializing in vintage and designer menswear. Ken has been selling for over thirteen years, starting out on eBay and Grailed, and he eventually expanded to his own online store and pop-ups events across the northeast including Newport Folk Festival & Alfargo's Marketplace.  Ken is a true Ivy style enthusiast with deep knowledge of American menswear history, including Brooks Brothers, and in 2024, Stylebidder began an ongoing collaboration with Brooks Brothers sourcing and cataloging vintage pieces from their 200 year history for their seasonal vintage shops. He shares lessons learned from building his business, including: the power of sharing educational content on social media, navigating the balance between online sales and pop-up markets, and advice for working with consigners Plus so much more. Let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [1:45] Ken's early style influences: from skateboarding to discovering American Ivy style in college [5:09] Going to college in Boston, Ken found the thrift stores were a treasure trove for American Ivy style. [7:20] He started selling part-time on eBay because he found s0 many good finds sourcing for himself, including five Hermès dress shirts at a thrift store [9:30] Things really picked up when he started to take on clients to do consignment. [12:47] The vintage scene in Vermont and building community with other dealers [13:38] His first pop-up at Burlington Vintage Market and the transition from online-only selling [17:23] Developing his vintage specialties of American Ivy menswear brands, tailoring, and Japanese designers [20:15] What defines American Ivy style  [27:27] On working with Brooks Brothers [32:42] How social media, particularly educational content, has helped Stylebidder grow. [37:32] How to strike work-life balance, including between online sales and pop-ups. [41:17] Favorite pieces and personal style : picking through a hayloft, finding Big E Levi's, and hunting for the perfect tweed sport coat EPISODE MENTIONS:  Stylebidder @Stylebidder Newport Folk Festival Alfargo’s Marketplace Burlington Vintage Market Little City Thrifty Engineered Garments Beams Plus Take Ivy Articles of Interest - American Ivy Ametora book Patchwork Madras Brooks Brothers Fun Shirts JPress Shaggy Dog Sweater Patchwork corduroy hunting coat Rico’s Vintage Humbug Vintage 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 Desiree, founder of Electrical Banana Vintage. Her obsession with vintage started at a very young age, growing up in NYC where she kept herself occupied by playing 'store' while her mom attended college classes. Eventually, she got a job working at Nashville's oldest vintage shop, The Hip Zipper, and after three years learning the ropes and getting encouragement from the owner to follow her dreams, Desiree decided to take the leap and start her own vintage business. She has great advice to share about pivoting in your business, and has taken Electrical Banana Vintage through several iterations, now finding she enjoys to sell and build community on Instagram live shows. I’ll let her tell you all about it – let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:19] Desiree grew up playing dress-up and store as a child [6:21] What thrifting was like in 1990s New York City  [10:36] She managed several small businesses in Nashville [15:16] Lessons learned about running a business while working at the Hip Zipper [20:24] Why Desiree opened a brick-and-mortar, but pivoted and closed it [26:05] Staying open-minded and pivoting when you need to [26:34] How to make social media work for you and your business [34:53] How to define your brand as a reflection of your personal style [40:59] Nashville's vintage scene has exploded to nearly 100 shops [43:38] Favorites from Desiree's personal vintage collection EPISODE MENTIONS:  Electrical Banana Vintage @electricalbananavintage Etsy page Hip Zipper Mellow Yellow Payton Dale Ellie Monster Black Shag Vintage Screaming Mimi’s  How to navigate vintage wholesale on Pre-Loved My Best Vintage Life Live True Vintage Sonic Wave Vintage Irreverent Finery Leelee Roos Vintage 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

This episode is brought to you by ThredUp —and big news: their tech just got a serious upgrade, go check it out! Plus, new customers get 50% off and free shipping when you use the code: PRELOVEDPOD. On today’s show, we’re chatting with Lureena Thompson, a comedian, actor and artist in Los Angeles, who opened the Cheerio Collective in Highland Park this spring. It’s a vintage store by day – utilizing a curated “rent-a-rack” collective concept, and a live event space by night – and Lureena self-admits she’s doing SO MUCH, and that you should stop by to tell her in-person to stop and drink some water. This is a really honest and authentic chat about what it takes to bring a store and event venue to life. A major highlight of the Cheerio Collective is a breathtaking 1,200 square foot mosaic floor that Lureena designed and installed herself utilizing remnant offcuts of natural stones such as marble, granite, quartz and travertine. Creating it was a labor of love, that underscored Lureena’s commitment to using sustainable practices and recycled materials in her business. The creation of the mosaic floor created a significant buzz, both within the Highland Park neighborhood, and online. The documentation of the entire renovation captivated a wide audience and amassed millions of social media views that created a huge anticipation for Cheerio to open. I’ll let Lureena tell you the rest! –  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:19] Lureena has thrifted her whole life, and has noticed how much more popular secondhand has become in recent years. [8:39] How Lureena got into selling vintage. [10:43] Things really got started when they found the studio space that would become the Cheerio Collective. [14:19] First, she took on a major renovation and designed and installed a 1,200 square foot mosaic floor utilizing remnant offcuts of natural stones. [18:11] Sharing the 3-month renovation journey on social media. [23:20] An honest and authentic chat about opening a small business vs. expectations [26:39] Why they’ve landed on a rent-a-rack, vintage collective, and market model. [32:35] Advice about pricing and running a sustainable business [38:29] Lureena’s personal style and favorite pieces. EPISODE MENTIONS:  @cheeriocollective Cheerio Collective Mosaic floor work-in-progress Dresscue Dresscue on Pre-Loved Podcast The Crowd Went Wild  Cheerio Collective events calendar Juju of ANJU and Luca Essentials 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 Ashley Moubayed, the founder of Don’t Let Disco. Don’t Let Disco sources uniquely crafted beads, often vintage or antique, and one-of-a-kind, to upcycle into limited-edition jewelry, honoring the life within every bead.  Don’t Let Disco is a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, and this New York Fashion Week, Ashley will be showing her Spring/Summer 2026 collection – Pre-Loved got you a special sneak peek into some of the pieces and their stories, and I can’t wait to share these with you.  Everything about Don’t Let Disco embraces the spirit of pre-loved, and I can’t wait for you to hear Ashley’s stories–  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:55] Ashley loved fashion as a young child, and she particularly gravitated toward jewelry. [5:52] In college, she started upcycling jewelry for her friends. [11:46] Her grandmother collected coins and her grandfather collected stamps, so Ashley has a fondness for both. [17:54] Working in the fine arts at Sotheby’s  [25:05] While at Sotheby’s, Ashley was full of creative inspiration and started making beaded jewelry.  [33:17] How Don’t Let Disco started working with The RealReal [35:58] What we can expect from the Spring/Summer 2026 collection, which premiers this week.  [39:21] The Don’t Let Disco beading bars EPISODE MENTIONS:  Don’t Let Disco @dontletdisco @therealreal Pools of Light jewelry  Sotheby’s  By George Don’t Let Disco x The RealReal Naomi Elizée Rachel Glicksberg Noelle Sciacca The Miami Antique Show Heather Hurst Heather Hurst on Pre-Loved Podcast Hilliary Bianca Salamanca Circle of Friends In House 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 Alison Nagatani, the founder of Maui Mood Swing and Mad Kimono. Alison is a fourth-generation farmer turned vintage entrepreneur who made the bold move from California's Central Valley to Maui and has since reimagined her life, living new passions. What started as sourcing vintage for a friend's store evolved into two unique vintage destinations: Maui Mood Swing, an antique mall experience with a Hawaiian twist, and Mad Kimono, a curated women's vintage boutique inspired by her personal closet spanning pieces from the 1930s to 1990s. And I loved hearing about how Alison brings vintage full circle - literally bringing Hawaii souvenirs back home to the islands where they started. I think you’re really going to enjoy it –  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:34] Growing up in Bakersfield, Alison got into vintage and thrift through dressing in punk and grunge styles in high school. [7:43] Alison is a fourth-generation  Japanese-American farmer and grew up on the family farm. [10:14]  While making the bold move to Maui, Alison started her own vintage businesses. [13:18] Building a team and community around the vintage stores [19:42] Building Maui Mood Swing, during COVID, from afar. [21:04] After Maui Mood Swing, the team opened Mad Kimono, just nine months ago.  [25:02] Sourcing vintage in Hawaii and bringing Hawaiian souvenirs back to the islands [29:04] Alison also specializes in ‘Made in Hawaii’ clothing. [33:13] Traveling to California and Japan to source vintage. [39:38] Alison’s kimonos, and other special pieces in her personal vintage collection. [40:32] Her philosophy on letting go of vintage pieces EPISODE MENTIONS:  Maui Mood Swing @mauimoodswing Mad Kimono  @madkimonomaui Jerry’s Pizza in Bakersfield Kahala shirts Crazy tees - vintage tags Gecko Hawaii Wings Hawaii Blossom Vintage Jamie from Blossom on Pre-Loved Podcast Heartbreak Vintage Kimono Dragon 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 Belinda Van Santen, Vintage Category Manager at Vestiaire Collective. Vestiaire Collective is a global platform for pre-loved luxury and designer fashion, started in Paris in 2009, where Belinda is also based. Belinda has been with Vestiaire Collective for over a decade, one of the company’s longest employees, who has great perspective on how the platforms’ expertise in vintage has evolved and intensified over the years. Most recently, Vestiaire Collective has seen a 220% increase in vintage supply and 5x growth in searches over the past five years. Vintage-lovers, this one’s for you –  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [2:05] Belinda always loved flipping through fashion magazines for the photography, but she really fell in love with style when she moved to London in her 20s. [4:45] Once, Yoko Ono shopped at the vintage store where Belinda worked in Paris. [8:04] What it was like joining Vestiaire Collective in the early days with only 40 employees [10:18] How attitudes toward resale have dramatically changed in the last decade [18:11] How the fashion industry's relationship with its archives has changed  [21:46] The shift from Y2K trends to more 90s minimalism emerging [25:46] Underrated accessories to watch [27:42] Tips for searching vintage on Vestiaire [33:25] Belinda's personal style obsessions [35:20] The importance of patience in vintage shopping. EPISODE MENTIONS: Vestiaire Collective @vestiaireco Vintage Pieces at Vintage Prices: September 4-6, featuring daily drops of vintage from the 80s to 00s – all marked down to reflect their prices at the time of the release. Harry Styles wearing a chore coat inspired by French workwear Celine Phantom Vintage battles with Sophie and Fanny The Versace dress made famous by Jennifer Lopez Comme des Garcons ‘lumps and bumps’ dress 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 Dorit, founder of Manzanita, a vintage boutique in University City in West Philly. Dorit is a stylist, and in fact she was recently named Philadelphia Magazine’s Best Philly Stylist! We talk about her special styling talents and her unique approach to curation – she feels she can call in the exact right person for each piece she pulls, and I think vintage-lovers you can probably relate! The piece finds you! Plus, her belief in urban storefront corridors and why she became inspired to open a physical community space, making vintage accessible and available to all.  I think you’re gonna love it, so  –  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:10] Thrifting a three-piece suit as a pre-teen sparked a love of secondhand [8:04] When she pulls a piece off the rack, she’s calling in its perfect customer. [11:31] Dorit believes in urban corridor storefronts as the backbone of community. [19:02] The personal styling work that has become a core component of her business. [36:01] Dorit has a great collection of antique white cotton and lace blouses. EPISODE MENTIONS:  Manzanita @manzanita.philly Jet Rag Ethan Hawke in Reality Bites Fru Wear Melrose Trading Post @gaydarshow Casa Vida Drew Joiner Blakely Thorton Xander Torres - @therealprofessorx 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 Brooklyn O’Neill, one of co-founders of Cherry Pick Vintage, which operates 3 vintage retail shops and a wholesale business across British Columbia, Canada. Brooklyn’s fiancé, Andrew is a third-generation clothing recycler, and the Cherry Pick Vintage team sorts and grades 250,000 lbs of secondhand clothing at the family’s warehouse each month – proving that “everything you want already exists!”  On this episode you’ll learn what it’s like to sort through 20,000 lbs of clothing each day, and the wildest discoveries that turn up in those bales. Plus, why Brooklyn intentionally puts her massive warehouse operation on full display and how this became key to both Cherry Pick’s social media success and their mission to show people how much clothing already exists. I think you’re gonna love it, so  –  let’s dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [4:13] Though Brooklyn didn’t grow up thrifting, she spotted a gap in the market for an accessible, wearable secondhand shopping experience in her community. [5:30] Her fiancé, Andrew, is a third-generation clothing recycler. [7:57] Together, they decided to start Cherry Pick Vintage, now 3 retail shops and a wholesale company. [10:43] They quickly realized there was a lot more value in the clothing in the warehouse than originally thought. [11:43] How the raghouse at Cherry Pick works. [12:37] The sorting process for grading 20,000 lbs of clothing a day. [15:03] The Rag Yard Market where shoppers can dig through thousands of pounds of pre-loved clothing for only $7/lb!  [17:14] Opening three retail locations across British Columbia in just three years. [23:38] How wholesaling works at Cherry Pick Vintage. [26:52] How social media played a large role in the growth of Cherry Pick. [28:24] Why Brooklyn puts the warehouse operation on full display to show how much clothing exists. [31:40] Social media advice for vintage business owners. [33:18] The wildest find the team has ever pulled out of the bales. [38:28] Holy grail vintage finds including 1960s Levi's and a WWII bomber jacket. [40:46] Brooklyn's personal style and her treasured 1993 Elton John x Versace tour tee. EPISODE MENTIONS:  Cherry Pick Vintage @cherrypick.vtg @cherrypickwholesale Rag Yard Market How to Navigate Vintage Wholesale (on Pre-Loved) Heart and Lou  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 Marika, the general manager of EstateSales.Net – she’s a global expert in the secondhand market, her career spanning career spanning from auction houses in Sydney and London to making the estate sale space more technologically-innovative for the modern day secondhand buyers and shoppers.  Now, listeners of this show will probably be familiar with EstateSales.Net – the place to find estate sales online. On today’s episode you’re going to hear about some of the new ideas – like virtual line management and hybrid auction sales – that are making estate sales more accessible and familiar to new shoppers. Plus, she’s going to share with us all her fun stories about art collecting, and the pieces she bought with her first commission checks back when she first got into the game.  DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [2:43] How Marika's grandmother, a dressmaker, sparked her love of style and taught her that "creativity doesn't require abundance" [4:04] Getting into secondhand shopping through books at Vinnies (Australia's version of Goodwill) [4:49] A serendipitous encounter with a Sotheby's auction at Paddington Town Hall launched Marika's career in art auctions [6:43] Early career selling ads for Antiques Trade Gazette and covering a Qianlong vase that sold for £43 million [8:06] The art of storytelling - how to make pieces approachable and appealing to buyers [11:03] At ‘Auction Technology Group’ she was on the ground floor of making secondhand auctions younger and more tech-forward. [17:14] Acquiring EstateSales.net in 2023, and making the estate sale space more technologically-innovative. [20:49] Why hybrid sales (online + in-person) work best for today's buying behaviors [21:42] Beginner tips for first-time estate sale shoppers [30:20] What separates out the higher-revenue estate sales  [32:55] Marika’s best estate sale finds. EPISODE MENTIONS:  EstateSales.Net @estatesalenet Vinnies Sotheby’s Bonhams Marissa Speer of Bonhams on Pre-Loved EstateSales.net on Pre-Loved Podcast Estate Sale Industry Insights Mackii Shaye shops Kathy Hilton’s estate sale By Rotation 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 Julia O'Mara, the co-founder of Pickle, the peer-to-peer fashion rental marketplace. Pickle's goal is making it easier and more affordable to rent high-quality clothing within communities – on today's episode, Julia will tell you about how she was working in business and product engineering when she had this idea: a gap in the fashion market. And it led her to build Pickle, a first-of-its kind platform, which – in less than a year – has boomed onto the scene, recirculating 100,000 items, top lenders paying their NYC rent with their Pickle earnings! – and the company raising over 12 million in Series A funding. In Manhattan alone, 1 in 4 females aged 18-35 have used Pickle. But Pickle had scrappy beginnings, Julia literally ran around NYC doing photoshoots with micro-influencers to get the first closets uploaded. And, in this episode, you'll hear about the entrepreneurial hustle of this fashion tech founder to watch, and the cultural impact Pickle is having on how young women think about clothing consumption. I think you're gonna love it, so – let's dive right in! DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [3:24] The idea for Pickle started out as a completely different app – a social polling app. [10:39] When Julia knew it was the right time for her career to go the entrepreneurial route. [12:47] The insight that led to Pickle’s biggest pivot, in spring 2022. [14:42] Pickle’s big differentiator is that it’s a peer-to-peer rental marketplace, similar to Uber and AirBnb within the sharing economy. [17:44] When you’re building this kind of marketplace, you have to figure out how to attract both lenders and renters.  [25:24] How Pickle works as a side hustle for your closet. [35:11] Insights from Pickle’s Series A fundraising round, where they raised $12 million and were called the AirBnb of fashion. [41:11] Opening a brick-and-mortar store for closet rental in NYC. [47:33] Future innovations in the circular fashion space, and what’s next for Pickle. EPISODE MENTIONS:  Pickle @shoponpickle Pickle’s 3-Year Anniversary Fashion Show Jade Beguelin (4am skin) talking about Pickle Pickle’s storefront: 21 8th Ave, West Village, NYC Beni Beni on ‘Breaking Our Add-to-Cart Mentality’ Funny Pretty Nice Natalia’s closet on Pickle 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