Today we’d like to introduce you to Leilani Mathews.
Hi Leilani, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I have always been obsessed with clothes and fashion. I have been working in luxury retail for over 20 years. My grandmother introduced me to vintage shopping. When I was a little girl, our Saturday shopping trips consisted of thrift shopping, finding vintage clothing and gems at local vintage stores. Two years ago during the pandemic, I decided that I wanted to try working for myself and becoming a business owner. I had a lot of motivation, confidence and enthusiasm to create my own success in the pre-loved fashion world. My love for vintage kimono has grown in the past ten years, so I decided to tap into that market and sell them. I wanted to specialize in something unique that stands out from competitors. The timeless piece is a work of art and can be worn by anyone (unisex). One of my goals is to teach women how to take a vintage piece and re-image it in a modern way. For me, selling vintage pieces is a way to repurpose them into one’s own story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My online shop is a one-person operation, and I love thrifting, photographing the clothes, and selling them as a hobby. It can become challenging to show customers how to incorporate vintage kimono into their wardrobe. There’s a lot of work involved in sourcing, repairing, and photographing vintage clothes. It can also be tough to find high-quality pieces in good condition. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on trends. I’m constantly looking thru magazines and studying blogs to show people how to style vintage pieces.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
BYOOTUHFUHL1 is a clothing line that gives a second life to vintage kimono. I hunt for them to sell to the vintage lovers. The kimono is a timeless design that is handmade and a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. By promoting my brand on social media and gaining exposure in the online fashion world, I have sold over 250 vintage kimono since I started this business. I show people how to upcycle vintage pieces with on-trend fashion and to become socially conscious. I inspire and motivate customers to repurpose an old item and make it new. On my site, I show people how to wear a kimono, whether it’s as evening wear, loungewear or simply over jeans and a t-shirt. One of the loveliest parts of this business is seeing how individuals have found my work on social media and fallen in love with it. Every woman should own one. It’s a staple piece. It is a great addition to one’s closet.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband deserves a big shout-out for all of the things he does, big and small, to help me pursue my passion. He is very proactive in his support for my brand. For my social media content, he is my personal photographer and videographer. He also packs and ships my products. When he sees me getting overwhelmed, he has no problem jumping in and taking the load off.
Contact Info:
- Website: Byootuhfuhl1.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/leilanimathews?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
