The Founders of a Clothing Rental App Talk Sustainability and Fashion Essentials
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to Violet Gross and Diana Giese, Tulerie's founder/CEO and COO, respectively. Tulerie is a luxury peer-to-peer rental clothing app that launched in 2018 — ahead, sisters Gross and Giese share their top lifestyle product recommendations.
Violet Gross founded designer rental app Tulerie based on the simple idea that women love to share clothes — and from an environmental standpoint, it's a way more sustainable practice than buying new. "Tulerie is a community of women who adore fashion, but understand how damaging it can be to the environment," the website reads. Even back in 2018, Gross understood that the trend cycle moves fast, which means shoppers are constantly itching to update their wardrobes.
"Since the conception of the idea, I've never stopped my research into what's happening in the fashion space and what can/should be happening, environmentally speaking," she says, continuing, "We've spent a lot of time getting people to understand the importance of their consumption and showing how they can make an impact with the dollars they spend." Gross started tracking her own habits and quickly discovered that she could make easy shifts, from buying reusable kitchen products to walking or taking public transportation instead of taxis or Ubers. This informed her drive to found Tulerie, and she took her sister Giese along for the ride to launch the business.
Seven years later, Tulerie has updated its membership policy by launching All Access, which means users don't have to go through an interview process in order to loan out their luxe items for cash — or shop the closets of others. At the same time, there are trusted safeguards in place for those lending out their high-value belongings when they're not in use. "Each time an article of clothing or accessory is used, it's fulfilling its purpose and that is one item that someone chose not to buy new, but to use what has already been purchased. People speak with their dollars and renting versus buying is a very impactful way to do that," she says.
Ahead, Gross and Giese share their top product recommendations and must haves that make them feel good behind the scenes, whether they're working on the Tulerie business or off-duty, spending time with their friends and family.
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Nut Butter
Ground Up Nut Butter Almond Cashew Coconut Chunky ($20)
"A couple jars of these are always in my pantry," Gross says. "The flavors are unique and so delicious. A bonus is that they also come in squeeze packs that are great for throwing into my book tote. An even bigger bonus is that the brand is woman-owned, and they have an employee training program for women overcoming adversity. Extra extra is that they reuse the glass jars the butter comes in when you ship them back. Win, win, win."
Ground Up offers an abundance of unique flavors to satisfy your palate, and the mixture is vegan, unsweetened, and peanut- and wheat-free.
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Lip Balm
Nars Afterglow Lip Balm ($28)
This moisturizing balm has a blend of antioxidants to help condition and protect lips, and Gross is a big fan. "It's so lush and silky on my lips and helps keep them hydrated year round. I also love that it comes in different hues to add just enough color," she says. While this popular shade, Orgasm, is described as a sheer peachy-pink with golden shimmer, there are eight other tones to try it in.
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Reusable Water Bottle
S'well Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($29)
"I always have one full any time I leave the house," Gross says of S'well's BPA-free water bottles. "I just cannot bring myself to buy bottled water anymore. I love that this is indestructible, keeps my water cold, and contains no plastic."
This 17-ounce bottle has triple-layered insulation that keeps beverages cold for 36 hours and hot for 18. Another perk? The opening at the top is wide enough for most ice cubes and the bottom fits into the majority of car cupholders.
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Hand Balm
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm ($33)
Giese describes this Aesop hand balm as "so luxurious feeling; not sticky or greasy." The formula works to restore and soften skin and cuticles while protecting hands from harsh weather, frequent handwashing, or anything that may dry them out. "The tube makes me think of an old-time apothecary," she notes.
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Workout Classes
Studio Lagree Drop-in Class ($35)
Giese describes Studio Lagree as "hands down my favorite workout." The studio concept fitness class combines core, endurance, cardio, balance, strength, and flexibility work to make for a no-impact workout that's designed to be performed slowly. Everything is done on an M3 Megaformer machine, and there are currently five US locations. If you're into the idea, but not near a studio, check out Solidcore for similar movement and routines.
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Comfortable Sneakers
Nike Air Max 90 ($130)
"I am on my third pair of these sneakers!" Giese says. "They are easy, go with everything, and are by far the most comfortable sneakers I have worn. I love to walk - I will frequently take a 30-45 minute walk midday to reset - and these are my go-to. They've been part of many of my airport outfits and travels, too."
This model is crafted from sustainable materials and is available in eight different colorways — or you can customize your own unique design on the brand's website.
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Oversize Cardigan
Loewe Anagram Mohair-Blend Cardigan ($1,700)
Gross always has a favorite cardigan that she wears year-round on repeat. "I wear them to layer through the winter or during a chilly spring morning walk," she says. "They're easy to throw on over shoulders and can very simply be dressed up or down." While this Loewe design is certainly an investment, it comes with the brand's signature logo detailing on the front pockets and at the back that take it to the next level, as far as craftsmanship is concerned.
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Designer Tote Bag
Goyard Saint Louis PM Tote Bag ($2,200)
"I was skeptical about this tote, then a friend let me borrow it for a European vacation (sharing!) and I was hooked," Giese says. "It held SO many things: laptop, hardcover book, sweater, and everything I needed for a long haul flight with my 10-year-old son. I had Violet buy me one because she was going to Paris shortly after. It's unstructured but still structured, which doesn't make sense to me but it works. It folds and doesn't hold the creases, which always blows my mind. Bonus: you can lend it on Tulerie and make money back!" The version linked here is part of FWRD's Renew program and comes with the original dust bag, brand box, and authenticity card.
Gross's pick, meanwhile, is the Dior Toile De Jouy Book Tote Bag ($2,600), which is also available via FWRD Renew. She describes it as "similar to Diana's love of the Goyard, but with structure," explaining, "I love all my bags to have structure. This bag fits anything - computers, books, snacks, water, clothes. It's so versatile and easy, I just love it and use it constantly."
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Sarah Wasilak (she/her) is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.