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

Chante , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

During the pandemic, I decided to start my business CRWN VINTAGE. My brand consists of stylish secondhand and upcycled pieces for women and men. I started my company at a great time because thrifting and reselling preloved clothes have become popular over the last few years. I quickly noticed that many people are more aware of current environmental issues and see the value of thrifted clothes. According to ThredUP’s 2023 Resale Report, about 10% of the global apparel market is expected to be made up of secondhand fashion. This is a great opportunity for me and other resellers who want to practice and promote circularity in the fashion industry. I also noticed there are a lot of online resale marketplaces now, giving people more options to shop secondhand.

Last year, an upcoming reselling app called Jamble offered me a partnership with them. Since then, Jamble has been able to increase the amount of its users and its social media presence. I am happy to see more people wanting to reduce their impact on the planet. I feel like the secondhand market will continue to trend in the future. One of the main concerns is that consumers might over shop this fashion sector and deprive items from a community that needs it. Even though this a big concern, I do believe this trend can have an overall positive impact. If done the right way, the secondhand movement can really bring a sustainable change in the apparel industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Yes! My name is Chante Gibbs also known as Tae. I am a Thrift Stylist, Sustainable Designer, and owner of CRWN VINTAGE. I was born in Akron, Ohio but since my dad was in the Air Force I had to move around a lot. Luckily, majority of my father’s side of the family is on the east coast and my mother’s side lives on the west coast. My interest in preloved items started when I was a little girl in California helping my grandparents sell antique items at the flea market. I used to have so much fun tagging along with my grandma to unique estate sales. I really appreciate my mom and grandparents for showing me the value of secondhand and that it’s okay to shop from thrift stores. From that point on, my love for vintage items continued throughout high school and college.

In 2019, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising & Design and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. Two years later, I earned my Master’s degree in Consumers, Apparel, & Retail Studies. During those years in college, I was exposed to the negative impacts the fashion industry has on the planet. While earning my Master’s degree, I decided that I wanted to showcase my designs to the world. CRWN VINTAGE consists of reworked designs and sustainable finds for people who enjoy expressing themselves through fashion! Every item is handpicked with your safety and the earth in mind. Recyclable and ecofriendly packaging are provided for all orders. I take pride in washing and disinfecting every product before shipment. When I created this brand, I wanted every person to feel comfortable and empowered while wearing my products. This company allows me to practice my creative expression while also helping the environment.

I hope you find encouragement, inspiration, and products that truly express who you are while shopping with my brand. Also, local donations drop off and personal style boxes are coming soon, so make sure to follow CRWN VINTAGE on social media!

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

Currently, CRWN VINTAGE sells its products on more than one reselling marketplace and through direct message on social media. I use the following platforms: Depop, Jamble App, Poshmark, and WhatNot. I plan on having a website that customers can go to if they prefer to pay this way instead. I decided to sell on a reselling app because a lot of the brand’s target audience use these types of platforms. It’s easier for people to determine if a company is real or not by shopping through places like Etsy or Depop. I enjoy being able to list products fast and with ease. Customers also know that any products listed, and reviews made on that marketplace, are verified with buyers’ protection. The main cons that I have while using these platforms is the fees taken from the app for shipping and selling on there.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

This might sound a little cliché but using social media has been an efficient way for me to gain more followers. I noticed after I was consistently posting reels and other content, my audience grew, and I was able to have a better social media presence. For CRWN VINTAGE, I try to post at least 3 times a week, no more than 2 times in 1 day. If I post too much content at one time, people might get overwhelmed and loose interest. Releasing styling videos or behind the scenes clips have allowed me to interact with current and future customers online. It also makes it easier to address any concerns or questions consumers might have. Even if you don’t get a ton of likes or engagement right away, the hard work will pay off as long as you keep posting!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://msha.ke/crwnvintage
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crwnvintage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crwnvintage
• Other: Follow my personal links for: Fashion Styling, Thrifting, DIYS, Sewing Project Reels, & More! https://www.instagram.com/taethecreative/ https://msha.ke/taethecreative