by Shelby Hall
Brands like Nuli come across only once in a blue moon. This carefully curated vintage and second hand, Instagram-based shop is kind of everything. Pieces are unique, pricing is fair and everything is placed under a similar feel; dainty and sweet.
I have three pieces from Nuli here that tell a story about the products offered on the rest of the page. A lace bodysuit that is sweet but shows off my dangerous side, an ultra kindhearted babydoll kind of white top with pearl detailing along the bell sleeves and a beautiful neutral coloured bag, easy to be worn anytime and anywhere.
Shop Nuli here: https://instagram.com/nuligoods?igshid=ayt67wmx0dwk
What inspires you?
I'm super inspired by visuals - different colors, interesting textures, unexpected combinations. Whenever I'm ever stuck in a creative rut I open a retro design book, fashion magazines, or even Pinterest to get my brain going again.
What’s your sign and how do you think that plays a part in your life?
Libra, the sign of balance and harmony. My friends have told me I'm a calming presence in their lives and I do consider myself as pretty peaceful and easy going. I'm not too versed in astrology but I read that Libras place a high value on aesthetics and tend to seek out beautiful things. This makes total sense for me; my day job is a graphic designer, and, one of the reasons I finally started my shop was that I had collected way too many vintage pieces that really didn't fit my personal style. I just couldn't resist buying them because they were so gorgeous. I wanted a way to share them with people who would use and appreciate them!
What is the main purpose of your account/brand?
I want to give people an easy and affordable way to shop in a more ethical and sustainable way. People are drawn to fast fashion for a reason - it's trendy and cheap - who doesn't love that? I know I do. There's nothing wrong with wanting to participate in fashion without spending too much money! I'd never condemn anyone for buying from retailers like Zara or Fashion Nova but I think it's incredibly important to educate people about the terrifying environmental effects and appalling working conditions that support the fast fashion cycle. Many consumers aren't even aware of the problems in today's fashion industry, or there are those that understand the situation but don't have the resources to go 100% ethical just like that. Nuli aims to be a different option for people who want stylish, trendy pieces at lower prices, in a sustainable way. At the same time, I really hope to dispel some of that stigma that still exists around thrifting and wearing secondhand clothes, the one where people think of it as dirty or uncool.
What’s some advice you have for other people revolving around confidence?
Oh man, the pressure to be seen as beautiful, confident, cool, is so real. It can feel impossible to overcome that sense of vulnerability but one thing that has worked for me is the concept of "sonder". It's the realization that everyone you ever interact with is living their own experience that's as important and vivid as my own, and so they definitely don't care about my if my latest illustration is good or if my hair looks weird as much as I think they do. Once I realized this I was able to stop obsessing over my perceived flaws and just just focus on doing things that make my own experience, and that of those close to me, as good as I can.
What have you had to overcome that’s made you who you are?
Secondhand shopping is something I've been doing for years and it started because my mom would always take me thrifting with her. When I was younger I hated it but I did start to fall in love with all the great clothes I would find. It became something we did for fun together, and eventually became my primary way of shopping. While I loved it for myself it wasn't something I was sharing with anyone because I felt like it wasn't cool and didn't fit in with the image I thought I needed to project. This is just one of the many ways my insecurities and self-doubt would manifest. My mom passed away last summer and since then I've tried really hard to get past my anxieties because I learned that there is just no time for that kind of negativity in a life where anything can happen. I've become more comfortable with who I am and had the confidence to make some big changes in my life, including launching @nuligoods, and I've never felt better about myself.
Who are your biggest inspirations?
Right now, and especially in relation to this new project of mine, it's the community of creators and vintage-loving babes I've met in the last month. It's amazing to see how many passionate, hard-working, stylish women there are out there who share the same vision on sustainability!
What’s your beauty/fashion go to?
No eye makeup with a statement lip and a ton of highlighter.
What would you say is the best thing about you?
Right now I'm digging my passion for creativity and drive to do my part in breaking the fast fashion cycle.
What does equality mean to you?
Everyone deserves access to the same opportunities, resources, and rights no matter what their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion is.
What is your mission statement/what does your brand name mean?
Nuli comes from the word "newly". Everything in my shop has been used by someone else; each piece has a story we won't ever know about, but it'll be new to you and become part of your own story.
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