From Owner, Tara

ReUp Fashion started amidst a global pandemic when the fashion industry was crashing like it never had before but people were buying more than they ever had online. I started ReUp with the hope to bring eco-friendly one of a kind products to a more affordable everyday level. 

I've been drawing clothes for as long as I can remember. I have old sketch books full of collections I made up in elementary school. I learned to sew by watching my grandmom when she would watch me and my brothers after school. I begged my parents for a sewing machine and for Christmas I got a little pink childrens machine and just about ran it into the ground using it so much to make clothes for my dolls. Then, in the 4th grade, I was given a hand-me-down machine that I still use to this day. The more I learned about fashion, the more I loved it. I made costumes for the high school musicals and Halloween. I finally went to school for design and graduated from The University of Delaware with a degree in apparel design and a minor in fashion history and culture. I went into the working world, was thrifting for myself and upcycling things, just for fun. But then, March of 2020 hit and we went into lock down. I subsequently lost both of my jobs and wasn't sure what I was going to do. Fashion companies were not hiring and the more I learned about the fast fashion industry, the more the companies I wanted to call my home, seemed so terrible for the environment and not something I wanted to contribute to. So, with the support of my parents, ReUp started in their basement. The store opened about 6 months later on May 15, 2021. 

I have put my heart and soul into running this business. As any small business owner will tell you, it is not an easy road. But to see your ideas grow and build a community around something that you have so much passion for, has been the most rewarding experience ever. Though ReUp full time is technically a one man show, I wouldn't be celebrating 3 years without the absolutely amazing support system I have around me (including my new employees) My family and friends have been my rocks when the stress of having a slow week (or even month) creeps up on you or when you're so busy and trying to do 10 jobs at once. They show up to help any way they can. 

I really can't believe it is our 3rd birthday this week. Time flies when you're working 24/7 haha. I am truly so grateful for the last few years being able to do something that means so much to me. Sewing and creating is part of me to my core. It has shaped so much of my life and to have the store grow as much has it has in 3 years, see repeat customers and have conversations with people who appreciate the business as much as they do, is why I work as hard as I do; to make sure ReUp keeps those people and our future people coming back! Our customers are so awesome and especially this past year. To have so many people come in and say “my friend has the dopest shirt from here so I had to come in” or “so and so sent me your stuff and I love how sustainable you are and needed to get here!” MAKES MY DAY. I dont know what’s in store for ReUp in the next few years, but I keep making plans hoping to get to a goal and they keep changing and getting bigger and better. I hope to keep bringing people cool sustainable items and growing with my business and making it as big as I possibly can.