My first interaction was awesome and really got me into the Carousell vibes. I had a big wardrobe clean out and one of my silver sequin jackets ended up on a holiday in Prague with its new owner!!
Faye De Lanty (frankie_85) is one of Australia’s most experienced television presenters and has been a regular to Australian television audiences nationally for more than a decade.
Faye De Lanty began her television career at the age of 15 when cast as a presenter on the long running national children’s program ‘Totally Wild’.
In recent years, Faye has worked as a presenter and host on a number of national lifestyle programs, and has appeared, for the past 5 years, as the national spokesperson for the ‘Budget Direct Insurance’ brand.
Well respected in the industry, Faye De Lanty is also an eco-stylist and currently runs her own blog ‘Fashion Hound’.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Faye De Lanty and I’m the eco stylist for Salvos Stores. It is the retail arm of Salvation Army which helps fund its mission.
Basically it’s my job to show people how cool, modern and on trend second hand can be.
Not everyday is the same for me and I love it! Some days I’m presenting segments on the Today Show, others I’m fitting models, styling op shop outfits, meeting and networking, teaching a workshop, preparing for one of the many events we do or training staff in eco styling.
British Vogue is a huge inspo for me, I like to call it my BIBLE…it has and continues to teach me so much about cut, colour, designers, fashion history, brand aesthetics, styling, creative vision and pop culture… All of which I apply to my work everyday.
I also love the sustainable fashion industry and am constantly inspired by the clever people, designers, artists etc who reuse and reinvent fashion.
How did you discover your passion in thrift shopping and what was your inspiration or motivation?
I grew up with parents who were very eco conscious yet cool, they love antiques, vintage, music and mindfulness so it all got in my osmosis. However when I was living overseas it went from a hobby to a necessity because thrift shopping was genuinely all I could afford.
I challenged myself to make it cool and find a way to recreate all those luscious looks I saw in Vogue. The more I did it the more I was asked where my looks were from so I could see that I was creating a concept that could be of service.
My background is media, I worked for 10 years as a host on Australia’s top environmental kids show called TOTALLY WILD. This show connected me forever to Mother Nature and I knew eventually I would combine my love of our earth and story telling with fashion. It just took me some time to figure it out!
Thankfully I eventually found a way to turn this concept into my work and I feel like I have one of the coolest jobs in the world! I also run a blog called Fashion Hound with the goal of showing you that second hand never has to mean second best!
What’s been the most rewarding aspect you’ve gained from working with Salvo Stores? What are some exciting updates?
When I see people’s light bulbs go on or they tell me they’re going to go home and try upcycling or they are going to take their friends op shopping for example it makes me so happy that we’ve had that impact.
I’m so grateful that we have the support of the Today Show, really proud of the eco fashion segments we have created with them and this year we have taken it next level with our events
I have engaged eco designers from all over Australia and you should see what we are creating using Salvos Stores clothing!
Our parade is called SALVAGED and I get the most joy in showing people how modern and high fashion preloved can be.
Here are some of my favourite looks from our recent events. All inspired by Vogue!
How long have you been using Carousell?
I’ve been using Carousell for about 4 months and I love the relaxed and friendly sense of community and how quick and easy it is to use. You can find me on carousell.com/frankie_85
Have you had any interesting chats with other Carousellers?
My first interaction was awesome and really got me into the Carousell vibes.
I had a big wardrobe clean out and one of my silver sequin jackets ended up on a holiday in Prague with its new owner!
The buyer was also eco conscious so we chatted for close to an hour when we met and she even sent me photos of her wearing the jacket overseas, it was incredible to see my piece having a new life!
Do you have any tips for other thrift shoppers?
- Educate yourself — Be hungry for Knowledge. Read Fashion magazines, look at style websites, research brands, check out the trends, understand cut, color, fabric and form. The more you know the better you can op shop
- Be prepared — go shopping with an idea in mind to avoid that overwhelming feeling.
- Follow the fashion fundamentals — seek out and stick to the classics. Timeless pieces like a great pair of jeans, a white tee, a little black dress, a trench coat. Op shops are filled with great versions of these and once you have them you can build and play with the trends from there.
- DIY and customize — You don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars for ripped jeans or a bejeweled clutch when you can make it yourself. Surf the world wide web for inspiration.
- Dress for it — wear something that’s really easy to change in and out of or try fitted clothing that you can try things on the top of.
- Shop the Store — don’t just look in your section. Half my wardrobe is from the mens section. Try it on, you never know.
- Know your body and know your style. Don’t be a slave to the trends, only buy what feels great and flatters you, do it your way.
- Become friends with your regular op shops, get to know when they receive new donations.
- Set a good tailor on speed dial. Maybe the Chanel jacket you found has boxy shoulder pads, but if you have it altered it will still be so much cheaper than the original price tag.
- Take a tool kit — Snacks, water, a tape measure, inspiration pics, a wish list. It will make things much more efficient and enjoyable.
