Sharing Wardrobes, Shaping Futures: My Chat with Louisa Dearlove

As someone who’s spent decades in garment manufacturing, I’ve seen closets overflowing with barely worn clothes and the waste that fast fashion fuels. That’s why I was thrilled to sit down with Louisa Dearlove, founder of Fenxiang, Hong Kong’s first peer-to-peer fashion rental and resale platform, for Episode 9 of The Conscious Cut. Louisa’s journey from working with iconic brands like Vivienne Tam to building a community-driven solution for sustainable fashion is inspiring. Her platform is tackling overconsumption head-on, and our conversation left me energized about the power of sharing wardrobes to rethink how we dress.

Fenxiang is a game-changer in Hong Kong’s fashion scene. Unlike traditional rental shops that stock inventory, Fenxiang connects people directly, letting lenders list their special pieces—like that wedding dress you wore once or a power suit for a big interview—for renters to borrow. Louisa shared how the idea sparked from borrowing a dress from a friend’s closet and realizing how many of us have treasures we could share. With over 400 users and 700 items on the platform after just a year and a half, Fenxiang is proving that sustainable fashion can be accessible, stylish, and community-focused.

We dove into the challenges of changing consumer habits, especially in Asia, where buying “new” for occasions like Chinese New Year often feels like a must. Louisa’s approach is refreshing: she’s not asking us to ditch style but to rethink ownership. Why buy a dress you’ll wear once when you can rent a high-quality piece for a fraction of the cost? We also tackled misconceptions, like the idea that new clothes are “cleaner.” As I shared from my manufacturing experience, new garments pass through countless hands before hitting stores—rented pieces, dry-cleaned and cared for, are often fresher.

Louisa’s stories hit home. She told me about a new mom who rented outfits from Fenxiang to feel like herself again at events, and a woman who landed a fashion house job feeling confident in a rented power suit. These moments show how Fenxiang isn’t just about clothes—it’s about empowering people and building trust in a sharing community. I’m beyond excited to partner with Fenxiang, bringing my Anthora Collection to the platform so more people can try slow fashion without the commitment of buying.

Want to get involved? Check out Fenxiang’s website to browse or list your own pieces. It’s a simple way to make your wardrobe work harder while cutting down on waste. You can also follow their collaborations with local groups like Swap Society to stay in the loop on sustainable fashion events in Hong Kong.

Key Takeaways:

Quality over quantity saves money and the planet. Investing in timeless pieces and renting for special occasions reduces waste and lets you enjoy variety without overbuying.

Renting builds community, not just closets. Fenxiang’s peer-to-peer model fosters trust and connection, making sustainable fashion a shared journey.

New doesn’t mean clean. Rented garments, carefully dry-cleaned, are often fresher than mass-produced clothes that pass through countless hands.

This episode unpacks how sharing wardrobes can transform our relationship with fashion while keeping style and sustainability in harmony.

Listen Now: [Spotify] | [Apple Podcasts] | [YouTube]