While NYFW’s runways are lighting up NYC, I’ve been thinking about a different kind of fashion story – one that starts in your closet and ends in real-world impact. In a year that’s already feeling like a highlight reel of global chaos, I found myself drawn to Jessie Freschl’s organization, Shop Repurpose, which is changing up luxury resale.
You could watch another runway show, and you could learn how your designer castoffs could help fund job training and scholarships for the next generation of fashion industry talent. Through Shop Repurpose, Jessie isn’t just moving pre-loved luxury pieces – she’s creating career pathways and opening doors that have traditionally been locked to many aspiring fashion professionals.
I crossed paths with Jessie through The What Alliance (aka the executive women’s group you need to know about — run to their Substack) – because sometimes the universe puts exactly the right people in your path. She’s a personal stylist and serial fashion entrepreneur, so keep reading for takes on closet editing and why trends might already be hiding in your wardrobe – you just need to know how to style them.
The magic of Shop Repurpose isn’t just in moving pre-loved luxury pieces – it’s in creating real career lanes in fashion. Just ask Annalee Danbi Hartung, who parlayed her training into a styling role at ShopShops: “This organization has a way of pulling in some of the coolest down-to-earth people, which is unheard of in the New York fashion industry!” A fashion industry gatekeeper that actually opens gates? Ayyee!
Jessie was kind of enough to answer a few of my questions for my lastest edition of my Q&A series, Styled & Crafted. In addition to the closet tip, we learn why she started down this particular path, demystifying conscious shopping — like, it isn’t just about what you buy next. It’s about reimagining what you already have and making your fashion choices count for something bigger. Read ahead!
At Shop Repurpose you can shop a range of pre-owned pieces from brands like Anya Hindmarch, Tom Ford, Balmain and more.
What’s the biggest misconception about luxury resale, and how does Repurpose challenge that narrative?
The biggest misconception about the luxury secondary marketplace is that is only about resale. In reality, it also involves up-cycling, renting, trading, and can be a platform for education. At Repurpose, our mission is to provide job readiness and personal development training and mentorship to young adults in NYC while also providing a platform for sustainability in the fashion industry.
How did your personal experiences lead you to create Shop Repurpose, and what moment crystallized your vision of using luxury resale as a vehicle for social empowerment?
I grew up in my grandmother’s bridal shop in Milwaukee, where the women—from seamstresses to clients—taught me more than any classroom could. Those early lessons in mentorship and collaboration from women of all backgrounds shaped everything.
After moving to NYC and launching my styling business, I noticed how often clients refreshed their wardrobes, and it sparked an idea: what if these clothes could do more? What if luxury resale could fund opportunities for others?
We started as a 501(c)(3) supporting women and families through grants, but after two years, the data was clear – our educational programs were changing lives.
That’s when Shop Repurpose became what it is today: a bridge between luxury fashion and career opportunities for those who might never have gotten a foot in the door.
How does Shop Repurpose challenge traditional consumption models and help individuals reimagine their relationship with clothing as a tool for personal and societal transformation?
We are at a pivotal time in our culture. We desperately need to learn how to talk with one another and listen to and work with those that have different viewpoints. And as a nation we have a huge consumption problem.
I wonder what would happen if instead of focusing on the next best thing we committed to conscious consumption? Buying quality over quantity and style vs. trends.
At Repurpose, our focus is to train the future workforce on sustainable fashion values and change the narrative of future leaders in an industry that has left a heavy footprint on our climate. In addition, our personal and workforce development initiatives teach our trainees to listen, talk and work with one another creating an intercultural workplace.
If someone wants to build a more sustainable wardrobe but loves to dip in and out of trends, what are your top three practical tips for someone wanting to build a more conscious wardrobe without sacrificing style or personal expression?
1. Buy only on the secondary marketplace and by quality of quantity.
2. Rework existing pieces to make new looks that fit the trends.
3. Take the time to try on new combinations of what you have and do it with a friend that knows your style and wants you to look your best. Trends often exist in your current closet its how you style the pieces that make them relevant.
As a stylist, you help clients express their authentic selves through fashion. What’s your go-to strategy for curating a closet that feels personal and functional—and what’s one thing everyone should immediately remove from their wardrobe?
My go to strategy is to listen to my clients’ needs and that transcends to the clothing on their bodies. I want them to dress in something that allows them to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to take on whatever comes their way.
A piece of clothing that has a hole… and then check for moths! It is also imperative that you care for your garments and make sure they are clean..
What’s the most surprising or meaningful luxury clothing donation Repurpose has ever received, and how did it make an impact?
The Barbara Walter’s Estate donating her achieves from Oscar De La Renta, Loro Piana, Gucci, and more (check out the vid above). Not only did it naturally draw media and awareness to the brand, it also opened up relationships and partnerships.
Here’s how to donate your clothing or shop and support the mission.
Check out the Shop Repurpose newsletter.
This interview has been condensed and edited for length.
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Ok, fine here’s one Valentine’s Day-related piece I’ve had my eye on! I can’t resist a bag with a sense of humor (if you’ve every come across my old Refinery29 shopping column you know that my “thing bags” obsession has lasted for a few years). This Brandon Blackwood bouquet number is the ultimate Valentine’s treat – no date required.
What I’m loving
The Clarks documentary randomly tugged on very old memories, spotlighting how Ghostface Killah and Wu-Tang turned Wallabees from a British comfort shoe into NYC hip-hop canon. Somewhere around seventh and eighth grade, I rocked them without fully grasping why, besides the comfort they provided when changing classes. In retrospect I was just catching the ripple effect of how Wu-Tang and Nas had transformed these shoes into cultural touchstones. It their version of turning prep on its head and went well with the popped Hilfiger and Polo collars at the time. That’s the magic of fashion anthropology.
