Today we’d like to introduce you to Siaundra “SiSi” Hampton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Louise & Julia Luxe (L&J) is a preloved clothing boutique. L&J believes in clothing everyone with confidence.
L&J was created in honor of my grandmothers, Mary Louise & Mary Julia. My Grandmothers took pride in their style! My Grandmothers were housewives, but on Sunday – “Church Day” – they would step out in their very best and look confidence and amazing doing it! You would think they shopped in Beverly Hills, but it was all in their confidence – I believe they passed that style to me!
L&J is a passionate tribute to families who want to not only look their best when dressing but be confident in their clothing. Our mission is to make fashion “fashionable” again on a budget. We aim to assist families with their wardrobe needs while providing styling services to those who require assistance. Our goal is to save the earth by upcycling preloved items. Our prices start at $5.
Launched in 2018 in Brookhaven, Ga, L&J is owned by Siaundra “SiSi” Hampton, a professional clothier and avid thriftier. Studies show that the average American tosses out 81 pounds of clothing every year. Add all that up and it can be equivalent to 26 billion pounds of textiles that end up in landfills all over the United States.
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?
Nothing is ever smooth! I struggle mostly with customers having faith in “Preloved” items, when folks think of goodwill finds you will see the look..like what? My job is to explain that these “thrifted finds” are just clothing that was taken care of by its original owners and then donated to organizations to share. Sometimes it’s a very hard sale, but I believe once I explain to the customer that some of the most stylish people- shop preloved and even I shop preloved – they are convinced!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a professional stylist and thrift clothier. I specialize in finding resale and preloved clothing for families in my community. I am known for finding unique clothing on a budget. I am most proud that I am able to clothe families with budget-friendly wardrobes. What sets me apart is my love for the community. Of course, we all want to make a profit, but most importantly, I believe in investing in the community I live in. Oftentimes, I donate clothing to families in need.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. It’s a lot sometimes, but I look at the bigger picture: I birthed Louise & Julia Luxe, this is my baby and on this journey, there will be ups and down. It’s a great thing to have mentors and professionals to give you sound advice and constructive criticism. But at the end of the day, it’s on me to truly believe it Louise & Julia Luxe and give it my very best effort.
James Kynes 0f Rushman Moore REG and Stephanie Andrews of Balance Design Atl have championed for me for years. Also, Emory University’s: STARTME: Atlanta program has been very beneficial to my growth.
Pricing:
- $5 and Up
Contact Info:
- Website: www.louisejulia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisejulialuxe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dresswithlj
Image Credits
Professional Photo of Siaundra “SiSi” Hampton by @lovebyrdphoto (IG)
