Meet Jerrica Kelly of Los Angeles, Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerrica Kelly.

Hi Jerrica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I was a little girl attending private school, I remember all the girls wore the same navy blue pleated skirt. I asked my mom if I could opt out and wear a long navy pencil skirt instead—still modest, but more stylish. I was only 10 years old, but I already knew how I wanted to express myself through fashion.

As I got older, my love for fashion only grew. My parents recognized my passion, but like many West Indian families, they had a more traditional path in mind—law, medicine, or finance. So, I followed a conventional route and built a professional career working at a television broadcasting company, an investment bank, and later in luxury consumer goods. But something was always missing. I wasn’t creatively fulfilled.

It took two kids and a cross-country move from New York to Los Angeles for me to finally pursue what I loved. I had always styled friends and family, and I had a knack for making any budget look luxe. Most of the pieces I found for them were secondhand—they just never knew it.

That’s when I decided to turn that gift into something more. I launched NYbredLAThreads—an online shop focused on preloved and vintage fashion. I started small, thrifting with my youngest child and curating a capsule collection that reflected my eye for quality, style, and storytelling.

Alongside the shop, I also offer personal styling services. I love helping people build looks that feel authentic, elevated, and effortless—often using pieces they already own, paired with thoughtful secondhand finds.

NYbredLAThreads is rooted in the belief that fashion should be personal, intentional, and sustainable. Every piece is carefully selected to help people express themselves without compromising on individuality or values. It’s not just about clothes—it’s about honoring where they’ve been and imagining where they’ll go next.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. It took years—and a lot of self-reflection—to finally take the risk and follow my passion. Choosing this path wasn’t easy, especially coming from a background where creative careers weren’t always encouraged. But once I stepped into it, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

NYbredLAThreads is just a little over a year old, and already I feel like we’re making a meaningful impact within the thrift and slow fashion community. Through curated pieces, personal styling, and intentional storytelling, the goal is to reach women who love fashion—and to help shift the mindset that preloved clothing is somehow less than.

I want people to see secondhand fashion not as a compromise, but as a conscious, stylish choice that’s full of possibility.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
NYbredLAThreads is an e-commerce business, but it’s also deeply personal—because I’m not just the founder, I’m the face of the brand. On social media, you’ll usually find me doing the try-ons, syncing looks to music, and blending storytelling with style. I model pieces from the shop, but I also incorporate items from my own wardrobe—reviving pieces I’ve owned for years to show how timeless style truly is.

I believe in mixing high and low, thrifted and non-thrifted. That’s what makes getting dressed feel real and relatable. Not everything needs to be secondhand to align with conscious fashion—but everything should have staying power. I want people to see how they can build versatile, long-lasting wardrobes without always buying new.

When I think about the racks of unsold clothes in department stores, the tons of garments that get thrown away each year, and even the overlooked donations sitting in places like Goodwill, I use that awareness to guide what I choose for the shop. I don’t want to sell pieces that will fade with the next trend. I want NYbredLAThreads to offer staples—items our customers can wear, rewear, and love for years to come.

How do you think about happiness?
Personally seeing my children at school pickup always brings me joy. I love hearing about their day and getting a glimpse into the choices they’re making. As they start forming their own opinions, I feel a sense of pride and hope—it reminds me that I’m raising thoughtful, independent individuals who will grow into outstanding citizens.

Regarding NYbred LAThreads, some of my most fulfilling moments come when a customer shares a photo or tags us on social media wearing a piece they’ve purchased. I love seeing how each person reinterprets an item and makes it their own. It’s a beautiful reminder of why I started this journey—to give preloved fashion a new life in someone else’s story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nybredlathreads.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nybred_lathreads?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits
Last picture

Hillary Kerr – Founder of Who What Wear repost wearing one of the items she purchased from the shop. Striped blue and white vintage Carven button down.