A peek inside someone’s wardrobe can be like peering inside their mind. But what about a look at what’s not in their closet? What I Consign explores what people let go and why, from the evolution of their personal style to sustainability to the designers they’ve fallen out of love with.
If there’s a more quintessentially Paris-to-LA story than Jordane Crantelle’s, we haven’t heard it. After beginning her career under the wing of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel’s creative atelier, she went on to spend 10 years working in PR at the famed maison before making a move to Los Angeles to get involved in film. Now, she heads up her own global creative agency working with socially conscious brands and is developing a documentary about sustainable fashion. We caught up with Crantelle at her Venice Beach home where she let us in on the pieces she’s moving on from, her approach to shopping and consigning with the health of the planet in mind, and the styles that were good for Paris but not so much for Venice Beach.
How would you describe your style? That’s a hard one. I can’t say I have a particular style. What I wear changes with my mood, the weather, the art and inspiration I’m encountering. Having “a style” is something I don’t really think about. It’s more a feeling, and a kind of collage, than anything I could put a name to.
What are the last two things you consigned? An Isabel Marant jumpsuit and a Miu Miu cropped jacket. They had their time with me. I’ve worn them quite often and loved them, but felt like they deserved a new incarnation.
What are you excited to invest in next? A ruffled top because I feel like adding some volume this spring, and a spring jacket. Most of the time I wear denim jackets and I want to spice it up with variety this season.
Earth Day is on the horizon, and really we should treat every day like it’s Earth Day. How do you balance your interest in fashion with efforts to be sustainable? I put sustainability before fashion. A few years ago I realized that the industry I had given 15 years of my life to was one of the most inhumane and dirty in the world. It was a wake up call, and I felt the need to do something. Being conscious of how interconnected our life choices are with the world around us creates positive capital for the future of our planet. We need to bring mindfulness to the way we consume. Where is the product coming from? How has it been produced? What happens to it after we’re done with it? These are crucial questions that I feel we need to be asking. I’ve dedicated the last few years to reading, researching and scouting to develop a documentary on fashion that respects the environment, the people making it, and the artisanship and skills that go into it.
What was the most significant piece you ever consigned? I actually don’t remember. Consigning for me is letting go of the emotional attachment to the piece.
How long have you been consigning? For two years now.
How do you decide what to keep and what to let go? If I no longer feel an emotional connection when I’m wearing something, I let it go — it creates space. Nowadays, we tend to accumulate things without feeling real connection to them. I don’t think that’s healthy. I only purchase something when I let go of a piece I already own.
Has consigning changed the way you shop? Yes. It started when I realized I was wearing only a third of my wardrobe. I had clothes that were great for Paris, but not quite suitable for Venice Beach. Slowly I started swapping things out, keeping only the pieces I felt connected to. I don’t buy anything new unless it’s sustainable, and I mostly buy secondhand and vintage.
Who are some of your favorite designers? Classics: Chanel, Hermès, The Row, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney New: Hiraeth, Kowtow, Bassike
OUT OF MY CLOSET Color: Black Shape: Anything that doesn’t fit anymore Handbag: Small handbags Shoes: High heels, good for Paris but not Venice Beach
INTO MY CLOSET Color: Pastels Shape: Ample Handbag: Tote Shoes: Flats
Ready to start consigning? Get started here. Plus, read more about consigning and sustainability here.
