This week’s Tuesday Talk is about Ellie Ene, Citycatwalk, the secondhand treasure hunter based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The fashion blogger shares a picturesque house near the sea with her husband and 6-year-old son. She was first introduced to the fashion world through her mom. The latter used to sew matching outfits for the whole family and brought her to fabric shopping, where the fashion blogger marveled about different patterns. 

Ellie also danced classical ballet from age 3 to 21 and performed on stage in beautiful costumes and shoes. To be constantly on her tippy toes certainly triggered her love for high heels and tulle skirts are always a big yes for her.  

But the critical point in which she fell in love with fashion was when she started to work as a model. Her modeling career in Taiwan opened her to a new world where she visited designers’ studios and factories where clothes are made. 

Later, she went on to study at The Swedish School of Textiles to get a degree in fashion and economics and started a fashion blog. Citycatwalk was then born, created more than a decade ago. It was her garden where she could share her passion with others. The blog later developed into her Instagram account. She shares styling tips and tricks, outfits, purchases, and her love for secondhand shopping. Today, Ellie shares her take on sustainability, her favorite secondhand purchases, and why women’s unity is so crucial. 

What does sustainability mean to you?

Loving fashion has often been a contradiction to sustainability, but I think that is changing. And I want to be a part of that change. I try to influence my followers and friends to make better choices. I’m a firm believer that no one can do it all, but everyone can do something. I do not believe in shaming. I believe in positive messages that make people see why we need to change and focus more on sustainability. I believe in education. I want to inspire and motivate others to shop sustainably. I try to do that by sharing my love for secondhand shopping and tips and tricks on how and where to find the best pre-loved items.

What do you want to bring to your Instagram community?

I want to inspire and bring joy. Being creative and creating content is a big passion of mine. It’s amazing to be able to share this with so many like-minded people on Instagram. I want to give people the confidence to dress the way they really want. To use clothes and style to bring out their personality and lift their mood. My content is mostly fashion, but I also post about gardening, food, interior, and travel. Everything that makes life a little bit more glam and joyful. Lately, I have started to explore photography more, and I feel very inspired to create more artistic content. A big part of what I want to use my Instagram for is to inspire all fashion lovers to try secondhand shopping for a more sustainable future. Another important thing I want to bring to the Instagram community is women supporting each other. I want to show that kindness, love, and respect are the only way forward and that equality is important. When women unite, incredible things happen. Change happens.

Why did you choose to consume secondhand?

I started shopping secondhand in my teens. At first, it was a way to be able to buy quality to prices I could afford. I then quickly became aware of how great it is for sustainability and was totally hooked. I also discovered it made my style stand out. You can find the most unique pieces of secondhand that no one else is wearing. It’s truly a treasure hunt for adults and totally addictive, finding amazing pieces at incredibly low prices. I also love to think about the story behind each item I buy. For example, who was the Parisian woman who owned that beautiful vintage Chanel bag? Or what amazing party has the glamorous Herve Leger dress been to? For me, the story behind an item contributes to its value. There is also a more practical side to secondhand shopping. For example, I buy a lot of clothes and sports gear for my 6-year-old secondhand. They grow out of it so fast and wear and tear it quickly, so it makes a lot of sense buying secondhand.

What is your best luxury secondhand purchase? What does that mean to you?

Oh, I don’t know how to choose only one, so I’ll mention a few. My vintage Chanel classic double flap bag from 1989 was a dream purchase, and it’s such a treasure. My nude Pigalle patent pumps from Christian Louboutin were also a great catch. They are classics that go with everything in my wardrobe. They are so good for elongating your legs, but they are not good for running after a 6-year old. My red YSL bag is also a favorite. It’s one of the most beautiful bags I own, and the price was next to nothing. My best find ever is probably my Kelly watch from Hermès, a timeless piece I will hold on to forever. My husband gave me a gold bracelet from Tiffany & Co that he bought secondhand for me, and I wear it almost every day. Two other luxury secondhand items I wear a lot are my Anine Bing Charlie boots and my Helmut Lang stretch leather trousers. They give a cool edge to any outfit. My latest find is a beige YSL bag, new with tags but 30% less than in the store. I could talk forever about my treasures, but I guess I have to stop somewhere.

How do you implement sustainability into your daily life?

We recycle as much as we can. We shop local and ecological when possible and cook vegetarian food often. We have changed our car to a 100% electric car. I shop secondhand for the whole family and also when giving gifts to friends. We resell, donate or recycle clothing/furniture that we don’t need anymore. I try to favor sustainable clothing lines and brands when I shop for something that is not secondhand. My most important challenge right now is to buy less and with higher quality. Last but not least, I try to educate my son about our environment and why we need to change our habits. I know I have a long way to go. Some people live a completely sustainable life in Sweden, but I try to learn and do better each day. I believe if we all take small steps, the impact will be huge.

Visit her blog citycatwalk and her Instagram @citycatwalk.