If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the colourful kantha clothing and recycled silks at Renew Vintage, it’s Brooke - queen of thrifting, traveller at heart and the one who keeps this little dream spinning.

We sat her down for a fun Q&A to chat about everything from her favourite vintage find to the three styles she’d take to a desert island. She also shares the part of our community that makes her light up the most and what breakfast keeps her going on busy mornings (we're covering all the important things here!).

Hey Brooke, tell us a few interesting things about you that people don’t already know?

I spent a couple of years living in London in my early 20s and met my husband on the dance floor just weeks before I was planning on leaving for home again! Needless to say I dragged him all the way back to Australia with me and have never let him leave!

I hate Coriander (yep, I'm one of those people) and I can reverse a trailer or caravan like a boss. 💪🏼

How do you feel when you reflect on the evolution of Renew Vintage over the years? Did you ever think you would end up where you are now?

I did and I didn't. During my years slinging vintage clothing while juggling toddlers I certainly never imagined. But there came a point when I knew I needed to change direction, and when I met a woman in Tasmania making herself a kimono with a kantha blanket she had bought from me... I knew what I wanted to do! Ever since then I've been chasing a dream to grow beyond the one-woman-bandwagon I once was, and to spread the word that hey, we don't all have to fit in with society's dictation of 'trends'. I don't want to be wearing the same thing as everyone else!

 I'm determined to ensure continued growth and stability for both my business and the people I'm connected with in India. They are like family, I've proudly watched them growing over the years too. And how sad to think that if it weren't for us, these beautiful pieces of textile art would be bound for landfill. I don't subscribe to the fast fashion formula of producing low quality clothing as cheaply and quickly as possible, at the expense of others. This is such an amazing thing we are bringing to our global community.

Do you have a favourite vintage piece from all your years of collecting?

That's like asking me to pick a favourite child! But if I have to narrow it down... I've always LOVED vintage block print fabrics - some of my most treasured pieces are tissue-thin 1970s Indian cotton block print blouses. I've collected a few over the years but it will never be enough. And I just adore a 1970s maxi skirt - the high-waist silhouette from back then that makes you look like your 10ft tall! So good! I have a couple cotton block-printed maxi's that I will never part with.

What’s a favourite place you’ve visited in your travels, and what place is at the top of your travel bucket list?

Another hard question, I'm not good at playing favourites! Besides there's too many good things/places in the world.

I love Australia, there's such diversity in the natural world here. When we lived on the road, the places that I would feel most at home often surprised me - the outback desert with its red dirt and HUGE skies, I really love. Kata Tjuta is something special in a way I can't explain. I loved our years living by the ocean, beach walks were a daily ritual. But I think I'm at home most with the trees, with the deep earthy smells of the rainforest and more shades of green than our mere human eyes can register. 

Bucket list - so many places in India I haven't had time to visit yet, our trips are so full of work when we're there. But one day we'll venture further afield and spend some time in Jaisalmer, Goa, Kerla, Ladakh, Darjeeling... I could go on, my list is long. Outside of India - Nepal and the Himalayas, I'd like to visit Vietnam one day, I'd love to go back and explore more of Asia, Europe and the US.

You’re stranded on a desert island. What three styles do you want with you?

A Ruana, a Boheme Jumpsuit and... ummm... a Palazzo/Cami combo, let's pretend that's one thing!

Ruanas are so versatile - coat, blanket, pillow, big pockets for collecting berries. Boheme because one-and-done - I don't have time to build an outfit, I have to build a shelter! And palazzos and a cami because of course I will be stranded on this desert island in the summer and a palazzo/cami outfit is my summer uniform.

What’s your go-to in-office breakfast?

Depends on the time of year - winter is for warm porridge with banana and honey. Summer is for fruit and yoghurt - I live for mango season! However, let's keep it real, often times it's just a quick bite of peanut butter and jam on toast!

What keeps you going when things get tough as a small business?

I don't even know, I'm just determined! lol I've been running this business for so long now I don't know what else I would do if I wasn't doing this. And I haven't come this far to just fall down and give up at the first hurdle (although sometimes I do just fall into a heap and cry!).

I think it's my relationships with everyone involved, the women in India (my far-away family who welcome me in with open arms every time I'm there), my friends greeting me in the office every morning (sometimes I wonder if we are really 'working' having this much fun) and our amazingly supportive global community (I wish I could meet everyone in person, there'd be hugs for days)... 

What’s your favourite part of your job?

Hands down opening boxes full of kantha treasures, I think everyone knows that by now! 😂

What part of your community brings you the most joy?

I'm continually humbled by the way this community supports each other. I often see our customers say that our Community Page is the nicest place on the internet. Honestly, NOTHING makes me happier than seeing these clothes on the smiling faces of their new owners! So often we send treasures out into the world never to be heard of again, but holding this safe space for people to share, it brings me so much joy on the daily.

If you enjoyed getting to know Brooke, you can see more of her styling tips and personal shares in our community Facebook group. Don't forget to find us on Instagram for regular updates and advanced looks at pieces from our weekly drops, and to subscribe to our mailing list for links to our monthly Secret Sale.