By Leroy Tran
If you’re hard-pressed to find the perfect piece to complete your fit, junior Vy Le might have something for you.
Le’s business, Vyeiexo, aims to curate and offer affordable secondhand — ”pre-loved,” as her website refers — clothing for both men and women. Her catalog is an extensive selection of modern clothes and 2000s-era pieces that she finds herself, often at flea markets and Goodwill bins, where excess clothing that people may never see on clothing racks goes.
A year into running her business, Le has been successful both online and in-person, having recycled and sold over 1000 pieces on the e-commerce app Depop and at local markets. But for Le, success isn’t about numbers; she’s used fashion and thrifting as a way to build confidence and style as well.
“I started Vyeiexo last year … I got into fashion because it helped me feel more confident and comfortable with myself,” Le said. “But when I started thrifting, I realized I could find unique pieces, save money and kind of build my own style … Over time, I wanted to help other people feel that same confidence too.”
Prior to creating the Vyeiexo business — whose name comes from an old Instagram handle and a little flair — Le sold clothes on Depop for two years. As a longtime seller of secondhand clothing, Le personally ensures every piece is handled with care and aims to create the best experience for her customers.
“I really like the whole process — finding clothes, styling them and then giving them a new home. My favorite part is honestly packing orders, writing thank you notes, adding stickers and shipping everything out.”
Le has been steadily expanding her business and has branched out by vending at local events, including the Orange County Market and Fountain Valley High School’s (FVHS) many pop-up events, such as ASB’s Winter Market and the Virtual Enterprise’s Spring Market. Transitioning from a solely digital storefront to interacting with customers in-person, Le appreciates the new perspectives that selling locally has given her.
Unsurprisingly, Le has become something of a fashion and thrifting expert among her friends and family. To Le, fashion is a communal experience that she shares with the people closest to her.
“[When thrifting], my friends and family would always say stuff like ‘How did you even find that?’ or ‘I looked everywhere and found nothing, but you got a whole cart,’ [which] made me realize I actually really enjoy thrifting,” Le said. “I also like when my friends or family ask me for outfit advice. It makes me feel like I’ve actually grown into my style and can help others, too.”
But beyond family and friends, the broader community is central to Le’s business, and she hopes to build something bigger as her business grows.
As a high school entrepreneur, Le has faced many challenges. Nonetheless, she has found a great deal of success, and she hopes her business inspires others to start thrifting or even start their own business.
“Just start! There is literally never a perfect time, and the sooner you start, the more you learn. I used to wait for the ‘right moment,’ but it never really comes,” Le said. “Also, don’t let people discourage you, especially in the beginning. Growth takes time. Just stay consistent, be patient and keep going.”
So, if you can’t find that perfect piece, give thrifting a try — or let Le curate it for you.
