Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aria Gupta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At Revare, our mission is rooted in renewal—both in name and purpose. Derived from the Latin word “renovare,” which means to renew, our brand is dedicated to transforming the way South Asian clothing is valued, worn, and passed down.

The inspiration behind Revare stems from a deeply personal experience. As a South Asian, I grew up surrounded by generations of exquisite Indian clothing—pieces woven with tradition, craftsmanship, and even gold-embedded sarees. When my mother was preparing to move across the country, she faced a difficult reality: many of these beautiful outfits, rich with history and sentimental value, had nowhere to go. Donating them to thrift stores wasn’t a viable option, as these stores often don’t accept or sell South Asian clothing due to a lack of demand from their primary customer base. The heartbreaking truth was that many of these garments would end up in landfills.

Unfortunately, this isn’t just a personal anecdote—it’s part of a much larger issue within the fashion industry. The global fashion industry produces approximately 92 million tons of textile waste each year, with a significant portion of discarded clothing never being resold or repurposed. In a world where fast fashion dominates, traditional and culturally significant garments often lack proper channels for resale, leading to unnecessary waste.

Revare was created to change this. We are a slow fashion platform dedicated to giving preloved South Asian outfits a second life while also creating economic opportunities for individuals. Through our peer-to-peer marketplace, users can buy, sell, and rent South Asian clothing, ensuring these garments continue to be cherished and worn. Additionally, for outfits that are unable to sell, we donate them to underprivileged children and women in India, providing them with high-quality clothing and supporting those in need.

Our mission is more than just sustainability—it’s about preserving culture, empowering communities, and redefining the value of fashion. By bridging the gap between tradition and modern consumption, Revare is helping to create a more mindful and sustainable future for South Asian clothing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Revare is the first and only South Asian peer-to-peer marketplace in the U.S. dedicated to buying, selling, and renting preloved South Asian clothing. We believe in extending the lifecycle of traditional garments, making fashion more sustainable, and ensuring that cultural attire continues to be celebrated rather than discarded.

Our journey began from a personal realization. As a South Asian, I witnessed firsthand how generations of beautifully crafted Indian clothing, some even embedded with gold, were left with no viable resell or donation options when no longer needed. Traditional thrift stores often do not accept or sell South Asian garments due to a mismatch with their customer base. This means that much of this exquisite clothing, despite its craftsmanship and cultural significance, ends up in landfills. Seeing this waste firsthand was the catalyst for Revare.

At Revare, we solve a unique problem—connecting individuals who want to give their cherished clothing a second life with those seeking sustainable, affordable, and culturally relevant fashion. Whether it’s a wedding lehenga, a Diwali saree, or an everyday kurta, our platform enables users to buy, sell, and even rent their outfits, making South Asian fashion more accessible and eco-friendly. Our peer-to-peer approach not only reduces waste but also allows individuals to earn from their preloved garments, promoting a circular economy.

What sets Revare apart is our commitment to both sustainability and community. Beyond just a marketplace, we are fostering a movement where South Asian fashion is valued, repurposed, and given a meaningful second life. Additionally, for outfits that do not sell, we donate them to underprivileged children and women in India, ensuring that every piece of clothing continues to serve a purpose.

We are most proud of the community we are building—one that embraces slow fashion while honoring tradition. Revare is more than just a platform; it is a revolution in how South Asian fashion is consumed, shared, and cherished. By bridging the gap between tradition and modern consumption, we are ensuring that South Asian clothing remains an integral and celebrated part of our cultural heritage.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the company I worked for went bankrupt and was acquired, resulting in massive layoffs, I suddenly found myself uncertain about the future. It was an unsettling time, but instead of letting it define me, I saw it as an opportunity. That moment of instability fueled me to take a risk and create something of my own—Revare.

With no prior experience in building a business, I jumped in headfirst. I had always been passionate about sustainability and South Asian fashion, but turning that passion into a functioning peer-to-peer marketplace was a whole new challenge. Unlike a traditional e-commerce site, a peer-to-peer platform came with added complexities, from user listings to secure transactions.

I had to learn everything from scratch—teaching myself how to design wireframes on Figma to build the website, figuring out how to market the brand through social media, and even editing videos to create engaging content. The learning curve was steep, but I kept pushing forward, knowing that every challenge was a step closer to making Revare a reality.

What started as an uncertain leap of faith turned into a thriving platform that connects people, promotes sustainability, and fills a much-needed gap in the market. Revare is more than just a marketplace—it’s proof that resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn can turn setbacks into success.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

From the very beginning, I knew that Revare was more than just a marketplace—it was a movement. To market the brand and foster a sense of community, I started hosting open model calls in New York City, using my own outfits to bring my vision to life. What started in my small NYC apartment soon expanded beyond the city, taking me across the U.S. to major hubs like Austin and D.C.

These photoshoots became a powerful way to connect with people who shared my passion for sustainability and South Asian fashion. Over time, they evolved into something even more meaningful. I introduced themed shoots that resonated deeply with our audience—one focused on representing the diversity within the South Asian community, ensuring every background, skin tone, and heritage was celebrated. Another was a generational photoshoot, capturing the beauty of mothers, daughters, and grandmothers, showcasing the timelessness of cultural fashion.

Through these shoots, I wasn’t just marketing a brand—I was building a community. Every person involved helped spread the word and reinforce the values that Revare stands for. This grassroots approach has not only kept me connected with my audience but has also fostered a loyal community that sees Revare as more than just a platform—it’s a space where they feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shoprevare.com
• Instagram: @shoprevare
• Other: Tik Tok: @shoprevare.com

Image Credits

@iam_ramcharan
@shreyas_angara