Pre-loved Conversations: Xupes Buying Team
Did you know that the fashion industry contributes to 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions? Choosing to buy pre-loved reduces your environmental impact by a remarkable 90% compared to buying brand new. In celebration of our commitment to second-hand fashion, our Buying team share their insights and top picks from Xupes in the second edition of our 'Pre-loved Conversations' series.
Eden Molen
Assistant Buyer
Keisha Haye
Assistant Buyer
Q: How do you encourage others to embrace pre-loved items, and what positive impact do you hope it will have on their lives?
KH: "Buying pre-loved can give a once loved item another home to be adored. Pre-loved items have a history and a light that new items can sometimes be missing. I encourage people to embrace pre-loved by showing how individual these pieces can make your style but also how purchasing from a pre-loved retailer promotes a circular society within the fashion community."
EM: "From a very young age I have always been passionate about fashion. During my career in Buying I have learnt a lot and one of the most impactful lessons I have learnt is pre-owned fashion. Embracing vintage and worn items shouldn’t be something we should not be embarrassed about but to reward people for thinking of our planet and future. I have always been a firm believer of encouraging people to wear what they want and vintage fashion is great to do that with due to the individuality and one off pieces."
Q: What was your most memorable pre-loved find and what made it special to you?
KH: "My most memorable pre-loved find would have to be my first Louis Vuitton handbag. In 2020 I found an excellent condition Vintage Speedy 30cm for an amazing price which was around 30% off the current retail price. This bag had been on my dream list for a while, I was extremely happy with my purchase."
EM: "My Nan has always been a huge fashion icon to me growing up and have always admired her wardrobe. When she passed in 2019 she left me her beautiful diamond and emerald baguette ring which I wear strictly for special occasions. I have also purchased some amazing pieces whilst working at Xupes and would definitely say my favourite has been the 1994 Chanel Ribbon Pin I bought from an auction."
Q: How do you incorporate pre-loved into your personal style and what tips would you share with others looking to do the same?
EM: "I have always loved accessorising my outfits and think doing this with pre-owned rare pieces creates an impactful and innovative look. I love individuality, whilst I can appreciate trends I think its important to find your own style. By wearing pre-owned vintage fashion, it eliminates people from copying you and makes you unique!"
Q: Since working at Xupes, what unique or unexpected treasures stick in your mind?
EM: "The most unique treasure that I just cannot get out of my head is this Chanel Brasserie Gabrielle Plate Clutch Bag, it is from their 2015 collection and is the perfect amount of wacky and weird! The perfect accessory for any boring outfit."
KH: "When I joined Xupes in 2019, we held a Fuchsia Shiny Crocodile Leather Birkin 25cm. Incredibly rare and highly sought after, I had never seen such a special bag. The Birkin was a staple in our collection at the time and garnered much attention for the wider team and clients."
Q: And finally, what’s your top pick from Xupes’ collection and why?
EM: "My top pick has to be the Chanel Ribbon Pin, its effortless and iconic. It is from the 1994 runway collection which makes it extremely high fashion and chic."
