S8 Ep2 VIV CHEN: creator of a top-ranked Substack fashion newsletter, The Molehill - on how she launched her career as a fashion writer and stylist, and her best Japanese eBay finds.

Feb 5, 2024

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you’ll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

On today’s show, we’re chatting with Viv Chen, a California-based fashion writer and stylist. 

She is the founder of The Molehill, a top-ranked Substack fashion newsletter which covers fashion commentary, TV/movie costume analysis and curated secondhand finds. Her keen fashion insights and expert product recommendations that have been highlighted in The Strategist, The New York Times and Coveteur.

On today’s show we chat about everything from how she launched her fashion writing career, to her escapades on Japanese eBay –it’s a really fun episode today, so let’s dive right in! 

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

• [2:55] Early style influences like Tumblr, and the vintage shops on Telegraph Avenue. 
• [8:52] Experimenting with indie personal style aesthetics as a teen.
• [13:59] Starting her Substack, the Molehill, and launching her fashion writing career.
• [26:56] How to navigate the world of “trends” and “aesthetics” in the secondhand and sustainable fashion space. 
• [37:32] The personal styling trend to try to find adjectives, or language, to describe your style. 
• [40:53] Online secondhand shopping stories, including on Japanese eBay.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

• @vivthemole
• The Molehill (Substack)
• Pre-Loved Podcast with Crossroad Trading’s first employee
• The “mob wife” aesthetic
• The “bow tax” according to The Cut
• Gem - a search tool to find secondhand clothing online
• Liisa Jokinen, founder of Gem, on Pre-Loved Podcast
• Miu Miu 1999
• Lauren Manoogian knitwear
• Suzusan knitwear
• @yosoymadeline

LET’S CONNECT: 

• 📸Instagram: @emilymstochl
• 🐦Twitter: @emilymstochl
• 🎥TikTok: @emilymstochl
• 📧 Substack: https://prelovedpod.substack.com/ 
• 🎧Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/prelovedpod 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

• Patty Weber
• Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
• Danny of Galaxy Live
• Kathy Brand
• Lucero Buendia
• Tricia Zelazny
• Leslie V.
• Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
• Lucille of Galipette Vintage
• KT 
• Lydia Welp
• Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions
• Michael A.