We recently had the chance to connect with Elian Monjack and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elian, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every day looks a little different for me. I usually start my morning slowly, with a cup of tea, a short meditation, and a few quiet moments to ground myself before the day takes off. Then it’s straight into the beautiful chaos: hunting for secondhand designer pieces online, photographing new finds, writing emails, sharing stories on social media, and connecting with clients in my DMs. It’s a one-woman show, and I love that I get to be the creative director, buyer, stylist, and storyteller all in one. No two days are ever the same, and that’s exactly what keeps it exciting.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m the founder of In the Name of Clothes, a curated secondhand shop where I help women find designer pieces they love for a fraction of the retail price.
I studied textile design, so I’ve always admired the craftsmanship behind designer fashion; I just couldn’t afford it as a student. Then I discovered secondhand, and I never looked back. Today, about 80% of my closet is designer and thrifted.
After years of getting compliments and surprising people with what I actually paid, I realized this was too good to keep to myself. That’s how In the Name of Clothes started, as a way to make designer fashion more accessible, intentional, and fun.
What began as a personal passion has grown into a community of over 18,000+ women who share the same love for mindful, effortless style.
For me, secondhand means self-love; it’s about self-expression without guilt and confidence without compromise. And that’s exactly what I’m building with In the Name of Clothes, a space where women can feel good about what they wear, what they spend, and what they stand for.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
As a textile design student, I was surrounded by designer fashion everywhere, and I often felt a tight knot in my stomach, like I wasn’t enough because I couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t one moment; it was a lifetime of small ones that whispered, “This isn’t for you. Designer fashion is for certain people.”
Eventually, I got tired of carrying that weight. I opened my mind to different possibilities, and suddenly everything shifted. I felt a rush of excitement, confidence, and freedom, and learned that you can have what you want; you just need to be open to HOW it shows up.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
In the beginning, I was embarrassed about shopping secondhand; I worried people would think less of me. Traveling to NYC didn’t help; everywhere I went, it felt like everyone was wearing designer clothes, and I constantly compared myself to others. I carried that quiet frustration for years, feeling like I couldn’t have what I wanted.
Then one day I decided to be open about a piece I’d bought, sharing how little I actually paid — and the reactions were amazing. People were impressed, curious, and excited. That moment made me realize how silly I had been to feel ashamed. Secondhand isn’t less than; it’s a tool of empowerment. Like you can have what you want for less. How amazing is that?!
Now, I help women see the same. By showing that designer fashion is accessible, I empower others to feel confident, smart, and free, all while making a positive impact on the planet. When we do good for ourselves, it inspires others to do the same.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say I care deeply about living intentionally and holistically. That shows up in the little choices I make every day, from how I move through my mornings with meditation and mindful routines, to how I shop for clothes. Secondhand designer fashion is part of that philosophy for me: it lets me enjoy pieces I love without overspending, giving me the freedom to invest in other things that truly nourish my body, mind, and life.
They’d also say I care about helping people feel confident and empowered in their choices, whether it’s style, self-expression, or living a more conscious, balanced life. For me, secondhand isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing better for yourself, your wardrobe, and the world.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The fashion industry constantly pushes trends and the idea that you need to keep up to belong. On some level, it’s designed to make us feel “not enough,” because there’s always something new every few weeks, and it’s impossible to keep up. I realized I didn’t have to play by those rules, and that’s where secondhand fashion became my path.
The growing secondhand movement is a response to that pressure. It reduces waste, gives clothes a second life, prioritizes slow fashion over fast, and supports a more sustainable system. It’s the butterfly effect: small, intentional choices ripple outward.
For me, I know I’m doing what I was born to do, not what I was told. Helping women find designer pieces they love for a fraction of the retail price lets them feel confident, express themselves freely, and make mindful choices, all while supporting a more sustainable fashion system. That’s my purpose, and it feels exactly like what I was meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inthenameofclothes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inthe_nameofclothes/
Image Credits
Yotam Monjack
