Where the Story Begins — Inside the World of My Secondhand Sourcing

When you wear an EyeLoveLu piece, you're not just wearing a hat or vest—you're wearing a story that started long before a single stitch was sewn. At the heart of my brand is the belief that fashion can be joyful, expressive, and deeply respectful of the planet. That’s why every piece is handmade from upcycled materials sourced with care, curiosity, and community.

Here's a closer look at where the fabric journey begins.

1. Le Hangar d'AIMA & Le Coin du Trocoeur — Salies-de-Béarn

My primary source of materials is a remarkable charity shop tucked away in the southwestern town of Salies-de-Béarn: Le Hangar d'AIMA, specifically its clothing and textile section, Le Coin du Trocoeur.

This space is more than a secondhand shop. It's a warm and lively warehouse split into two worlds. One half is filled with pre-loved furniture, appliances, and kitchenware; the other, Le Coin du Trocoeur, is where you'll find aisles of donated clothing, vintage bedding, fabric scraps, curtains, and forgotten treasures. This is where my hands dive in—feeling textures, spotting prints, imagining what each piece could become.

What makes this place extra special is that I also volunteered there as a display stylist, a year after moving to France. I used my background as a fashion stylist in China to help reimagine how secondhand fashion is presented. That experience deepened my appreciation for the cycle of giving and repurposing — and ultimately inspired me to start the “EyeLoveLu Upcycling Project” two years ago, which later evolved into my sustainable fashion brand, EyeLoveLu. It’s also where I discovered some of the most unique fabrics now used in my reversible hats and vests.

Beautiful ladies I worked with before.

My display styling work

2. Emmaüs Pau — Lescar

Another source is Emmaüs Pau, located in Lescar. Emmaüs is a nationwide movement built on solidarity, social inclusion, and second chances. Their Lescar branch is a treasure trove of donated goods—from everyday wear to eclectic prints that spark creative ideas the moment I spot them.

Here, I search for quality cottons, denim, and bold prints that can be revived into fashion with a new life. Supporting Emmaüs also aligns with my mission to make fashion that not only looks good but does good, reinforcing the social and ethical thread that runs through EyeLoveLu.

3. Local Donations & Community Support

Perhaps the most heartwarming part of this journey has been the way the local community has responded. As people learn about my mission to upcycle discarded clothing into handmade, one-of-a-kind fashion, they have started to donate clothing directly to me. From old jeans and men’s shirts to vintage sheets and tablecloths, I receive bags of beautiful, usable materials that would have otherwise been forgotten.

These donations are deeply meaningful. Every garment I receive feels like an invitation to keep creating with care. They also help strengthen the circular spirit of EyeLoveLu, where nothing is wasted, and everything has potential. 

Whether it’s a floral vintage bedsheet from Salies-de-Béarn or a pair of jeans passed down from a neighbor, every EyeLoveLu piece starts with a story. My role is simply to listen to it, rework it, and give it a second life on your head or shoulders.

This is slow fashion in its truest form. Rooted in community. Stitched with purpose. And always made with love.