INTERVIEW WITH STEFFI VILLEVET, FOUNDER OF LOVAGAIN
Founded by Steffi VILLEVET in 2020, LOVAGAIN stands out
in the preloved luxury market as a key player. Specialist in
vintage Burberry trench coat, the discreet founder confides in her passion for
garment.
Tell us how this passion for the vintage Burberry trench was born?
STEFFI VILLEVET: I grew up in the heart of the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement of Paris . My mother was a housekeeper for wealthy clients, and they gave her clothes that their children no longer wore. Often brands that we could not afford. Thanks to their generosity, I developed my taste for clothes. I was very inspired by the look of Parisian women : elegant and well-groomed. So that’s how I found my first Burberry trench coat.
You launched the brand
ChicClothesShoes, what differentiates it from LOVAGAIN?
SV: ChicClothesShoes was first of all a collective adventure where I learned a lot. By creating LOVAGAIN I wanted to embark on a new adventure more aligned with my convictions. The heart of our mission is to (re)make people love vintage pieces beyond their intrinsic value: to be a link between eras .
What is it about period clothing that excites you so much?
SV: At the time when clothes were made to last , quality was found in every seam, every detail. I like to imagine the worker who worked hard to produce exceptional pieces which 20 or 30 years later are still intact. Our customers don't just come to buy, they are also aware that this is a real passing of the baton, an inheritance .
In your opinion, what are the challenges you have overcome and the challenges ahead?
SV: Our expertise lies in our ability to uncover items of exceptional conservation quality . Our particularity is to first buy what we put in the window. There is therefore real involvement at each stage, particularly in authentication. We know how to detect counterfeits , that's the advantage of being a brand specialist. You know every detail of its making. Our major challenge for the future is linked to rarity, buying at the right price , continuing to find treasures and that is what excites us.
What message would you like to send to your customers?
With LOVAGAIN you are not only customers but ambassadors of our shared passion. NO to fast fashion , YES to sustainability. I wish you to pass on to a loved one a garment that has accompanied you and that will continue to be loved from generation to generation.