The Voices of our Community: VintyLux
Stepping into 2024 with our first interview, featuring Rebecca Réka Lee, the visionary founder of VintyLux, where her dedication to quality and style has made vintage luxury fashion an artful journey.
Jan 3, 2024 · 4 Minute Read Rebecca, could you please share your fashion background and tell us what you’re currently doing with Vintylux?
I embarked on my career in the fashion industry during my early teens as a model. With a deep admiration for fashion, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be part of an industry closely tied to it. Over the years, I organized and choreographed fashion shows and beauty contests. I also worked as a blogger, and fashion and personal stylist. Six months ago, I launched Vintylux, a project born from my dream to deliver exceptional luxury designer vintage bags and shoes that bring joy to my customers. My ultimate goal is to spread happiness through high-quality fashion.
What criteria do you use to hand-pick vintage and pre-loved luxury items for Vintylux, and where do you source them?
My focus is on providing luxury designer vintage bags and shoes in excellent pre-loved condition. I’m always looking for rare, unique finds that are hard to find. I source these treasures from all over the world, including Japan, which is a haven for vintage fashion gems. I also have a trusted vendor right here in Miami, a friend with over 12 years of industry experience who has been invaluable in guiding me since the inception of my small business.
How does Vintylux integrate sustainability and ethical practices into its business model, especially considering its focus on pre-loved items?
Buying pre-loved items is a sustainable option. It’s an excellent means of breathing new life into a pair of old shoes or a luxury bag. With every purchase, you are reducing waste and extend the product’s lifespan. I care about our environment, which is why I use eco-friendly packaging when shipping to my buyers.
What’s your long-term vision for Vintylux, and how do you see it evolving in the coming years?
The long-term vision is to grow my brand and reach as many customers as possible, promoting sustainable and vintage fashion. In the coming year, I plan to intensify my social media efforts and explore event hosting for my business. I strongly believe that live shopping represents the future. This trend has only recently begun to gain traction on various reseller platforms and apps. I’m excited to explore online livestreaming sales and hosting numerous live shows in 2024.
Do Miami clients embrace circular fashion, or do you primarily serve online shoppers from other regions?
Thanks to local events, circular fashion is gaining popularity in Miami. Currently, my clients I ship to reside in the United States and Canada. Additionally, I’m also on the Whatnot live shopping app, connecting with users worldwide and extending my customer base across the globe.
With luxury items being high in value, what steps does Vinylux undertake to authenticate and ensure the genuineness of each piece in your collection?
Authenticity is a top priority in my business. When I receive inventory, it has already undergone authenticity. To reaffirm the authenticity of my pre-loved products, I employ a third party authentication device from Entrupy to verify each item’s genuineness. I’m proud to say Vintylux is a certified Entrupy business, guaranteeing the authenticity of our products. I’m also planning to expand my knowledge by taking courses to learn more about different authentication processes.
How does Vinylux approach the restoration and preservation of vintage items to ensure they maintain their quality and aesthetic appeal at a reasonable price?
Most pre-loved items are over twenty years old, so it’s crucial to take good care of them. I’ve researched various cleaning techniques for different materials and showcased some of my most popular cleaning methods on my TikTok. When dealing with pre-loved shoes, I always seek professional help. I’ve found the best experts in Miami, ‘The Cobblers.’ They handle minor touch-ups and cleaning when needed, but
you can also trust them to restore your damaged Chanel or Louis Vuitton bags.
What were some of the challenges you encountered while establishing your business, particularly in the Miami market, and how did you address them?
Launching a new business, especially in a new country, holds numerous challenges. You have to learn new skills, such as building a webshop, managing shipping, taking product photos, and creating listings. Essentially, you become a one-person team, taking on roles like salesperson, marketer, photographer, social media manager, and ad campaign manager, among others. However, when you’re working on something you’re passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work; it feels more like a hobby you can enjoy seven days a week.
How can the Mana Fashion Services community support you?
I appreciate your question! This interview already means a lot to me and my business. I would like to be featured in more PR and marketing publications and connect with like-minded individuals. I’m open to collaborating with fellow fashion enthusiasts, including fashion influencers, models, stylists, and photographers. If you fall into any of these categories, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Please share with the readers ways they can get in touch with you.
You can visit my website www.vintylux.com and subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on future bag & shoe drops, sales or giveaways. You can also follow me on Instagram: @vintyluxshop and TikTok: @vintyluxrebecca.
