SHOPPING, STORIES
MY FINDS: SARAH GARNER
With over a decade of working for the likes of Lane Crawford, Shanghai Tang and LVMH under her belt, Sarah Garner knows luxury fashion better than most. And now, with her new business, Retykle, up and running full speed ahead, she’s also an expert when it comes to pre-loved luxury clothes for tykes and tots.
Retykle is a clever buying and re-selling platform for parents with children and babies. It gives families access to beautiful designs from all the most coveted baby brands at accessible prices – all while doing a little bit of good for the planet by extending the lifecycle of quality kid’s clothes.
Here, Sarah tells about her new venture, her top travel tips and what she wants her kids to wear, plus shop her top online finds here. retykle.com
I started Retykle because I worked in luxury fashion for more than a decade and wanted to use that experience for something that felt more fulfilling and purpose driven than the churn of the traditional fashion cycle. I also wanted to do something that married well with my life as a new mother. I was inspired to start the business when a friend gave me a few large bags of luxury hand me downs when I was pregnant with my son. I felt indebted to her for her generosity and gave her gift cards for what I felt was the equivalent resale value so that she could use the money towards buying bigger sizes for her children. From there, I decided I wanted to create a new retail model that would improve life for parents like myself in Hong Kong.
What makes Retykle special is that it is the first online luxury consignment shop for kids in Asia. The beauty of the curation is that the parents who sell at Retykle shop the best brands from here and around the world and then share them with other families. We will have the biggest, broadest assortment of high end kids brands available in Hong Kong at the lowest prices with a lower environmental footprint.
The purchase I’m most pleased about right now is the paste-free wallpaper we bought from Anthropologie for our son Henry’s bedroom and for our entryway. It’s easy to remove: it just peels off when you’re ready to move, which makes it perfect for rental units.
I never travel without an Otis Batterbee eye mask. I haven’t slept a night without one since my husband first gifted it to me three years ago. They’re filled with lavender and seem to help with getting a good night sleep.
I also like to travel with Muji black mesh bags in many different sizes, to keep everything organised. And Bliss’ Triple Oxygen Instant Energising Foaming Mask from Bliss. I wouldn’t normally bring a large size product in my toiletries but this one makes the cut because it works so well for rejuvenating tired skin.
The most fabulous, child-friendly place I’ve stayed at is Dedon Island, in the Philippines. It was our most recent trip and an exquisite experience from start to finish. It felt like a home you never wanted to leave. The staff were wonderful with our son and though not overtly marketed to families, they made sure that it was a relaxing stay for us and fun and welcoming for our son at every turn.
My favourite pieces on Retykle right now are all things girl, because I’ve just had a baby girl. On my wish list is a blue Stella McCartney coat, white Chloe dress, pink Burberry jacket and pale pink Bonton top.
A Hong Kong designer I love is Joseph Li. He custom-designed my wedding dress, which I will forever cherish and be grateful for. There are also plenty of incredible homegrown luxury kids brands here in Hong Kong. I particularly love Velveteen, Atelier Child, Marie-Chantal and Little Mercerie.
My must-have fashion item for pregnancy was lots of dresses. I lived in a handful of well-cut, easy wearing dresses. My favourite from my first pregnancy – which was well worn the second time around, too – was the Otte Ellen dress, which they still carry. It fits throughout all stages of pregnancy, even though it’s not maternity. I aimed to wear mostly non-maternity that was well-cut for growth. Ultimately, it’s important to feel comfortable with your growing body, so it’s important to invest in a few key pieces to that make you feel your best during the transition.
The item I’m coveting for my home right now is an upright piano. My husband trained as a classical pianist and I have never heard him play! We just moved and have a perfect spot for a piano. I’ve been looking for a good secondhand find.
I’m currently coveting the Scallop-strap sandals from Alexa Wagner - I saw them on Find Love Buy.
