Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/lauravonv to take advantage of their Extended Labor Day Sale Exclusive Partner Offer - 27% Off Sitewide!
Today we are diving deep into Madewell! I was in my early 20s when madewell launched, and I remember how quickly the brand skyrocketed into the realm of fashion. It had only a short time of being free of private equity and financial burdens (it was launched 2 months prior to J. Crews IPO). While editing this video it was announced that the current President of Madewell has stepped down, it's not clear yet who will be taking over.
Resources for this video
How Madewell Bought And Sold My Family's History - buzzfeed.com/dannosowitz/how-madewell-bought-and-sold-my-familys-history (highly recommend reading the whole thing, the ending is such an interesting conclusion, not what you would expect, and a really good look into early american clothing brands and "a means to an end" perspective.)
Instagram
instagram.com/lauravonv
Business Inquiries
lauravonv@makrwatch.com
FTC - Please note: This list contains affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback for clicks and purchases
Listen, I'd be a fool not to list these items, but if you watched the video, you know my thoughts. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Low Slung Baggy (Unless these go on sale for a drastic discount, they are not worth the $145. The fabric bleed would happen to any denim dark wash that's cuffed the way these were. I'm honestly a little bummed at myself for not thinking of that) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202074
Shrunken Tee - go.shopmy.us/p-25202276
Trouser Shorts - go.shopmy.us/p-25202330
Oversize Button-Up (the one with the horrible run) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202356
Western Belt (The only thing I actually liked) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202442
Party City Costume (This should have been made of silk, it would have been stunning if it was) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202479
- Some of my favorite stores to shop for quality clothing -
Start at a Thrift Store!!! - Seriously so much quality is pre-loved and still in great shape.
Quince - quince.sjv.io/5gN5QL - I love them for career wear and good affordable knitwear and cashmere/wool. They aren't perfect, and I have had a few misses with them - most notably on pants (if they started making pants with wool or more cotton I'd be all over them)
Watch my review here - youtu.be/iLy51AqJSig
UNIQLO - go.shopmy.us/p-5436012 - This has been my goto for almost a decade now. They are arguably fast fashion, but I think they are very innovative and research intensive. Something most modern day conglomerate fashion brands are missing. They lead with functionality and durability. One read through of any of their Lifewear Magazine edits and you will quickly get the feel that they take this all very seriously.
Watch my review here - youtu.be/dPAVN4npuDI
eBay - go.shopmy.us/p-5436094 - I'm a bit biased on this one because I also sell on ebay, but if you don't enjoy the thrill of the hunt with thrifting...then ebay should be your main source for secondhand. I regularly go on liking sprees of designers that are wayyyyy out of my price budget because you never know when you might get a fantastic offer. Most niche designers that are making incredible quality items are severely underpriced on ebay.
Etsy - go.shopmy.us/p-5436119 - This is a tough one....the market has changed so much and the fear of getting a cheap drop shipped item is real. But if you really dig deep into the seller and what they do, you can find incredible made to fit items, natural fibers that are impossible to find in any retail store, and super rare vintage items.
Alex Mill - go.shopmy.us/p-12974841 - A personal favorite of mine! I love the colorful and bold pops of color. It's a bit on the pricier side, but everything I've purchased and thrifted from them felt premium and had a decent level of construction. They stay consistent.
Watch my review here - youtu.be/QUq8Ubjn63M
- I'll continue to update this list as I find things that I think are noteworthy -
Ongoing Discount Codes -
Ultrahuman Ring Air - Laur10 gets you 10% off - ultrahuman.com/LauraM
7or9 Metallic Ballet Flats - go.shopmy.us/p-5602390 - Use code LAURAV15 at checkout
MY YOUTUBE ESSENTIALS
Epidemic Sound (Where I find all of my music) - epidemicsound.com/referral/wqh4ke
Vlog Camera - bit.ly/3SkeZpO
Main Camera - bit.ly/3qJtfte
Mic - bit.ly/3mQwgXM
Shot on Canon EOS R
Edited in Premiere Pro
Thank you Helix Sleep for sponsoring! Visit helixsleep.com/lauravonv to take advantage of their Extended Labor Day Sale Exclusive Partner Offer - 27% Off Sitewide!
Today we are diving deep into Madewell! I was in my early 20s when madewell launched, and I remember how quickly the brand skyrocketed into the realm of fashion. It had only a short time of being free of private equity and financial burdens (it was launched 2 months prior to J. Crews IPO). While editing this video it was announced that the current President of Madewell has stepped down, it's not clear yet who will be taking over.
Resources for this video
How Madewell Bought And Sold My Family's History - buzzfeed.com/dannosowitz/how-madewell-bought-and-sold-my-familys-history (highly recommend reading the whole thing, the ending is such an interesting conclusion, not what you would expect, and a really good look into early american clothing brands and "a means to an end" perspective.)
instagram.com/lauravonv
Business Inquiries
lauravonv@makrwatch.com
FTC - Please note: This list contains affiliate links. Meaning I get a small kickback for clicks and purchases
Listen, I'd be a fool not to list these items, but if you watched the video, you know my thoughts. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
Low Slung Baggy (Unless these go on sale for a drastic discount, they are not worth the $145. The fabric bleed would happen to any denim dark wash that's cuffed the way these were. I'm honestly a little bummed at myself for not thinking of that) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202074
Shrunken Tee - go.shopmy.us/p-25202276
Trouser Shorts - go.shopmy.us/p-25202330
Oversize Button-Up (the one with the horrible run) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202356
Western Belt (The only thing I actually liked) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202442
Party City Costume (This should have been made of silk, it would have been stunning if it was) - go.shopmy.us/p-25202479
- Some of my favorite stores to shop for quality clothing -
Start at a Thrift Store!!! - Seriously so much quality is pre-loved and still in great shape.
Quince - quince.sjv.io/5gN5QL - I love them for career wear and good affordable knitwear and cashmere/wool. They aren't perfect, and I have had a few misses with them - most notably on pants (if they started making pants with wool or more cotton I'd be all over them)
Watch my review here - youtu.be/iLy51AqJSig
UNIQLO - go.shopmy.us/p-5436012 - This has been my goto for almost a decade now. They are arguably fast fashion, but I think they are very innovative and research intensive. Something most modern day conglomerate fashion brands are missing. They lead with functionality and durability. One read through of any of their Lifewear Magazine edits and you will quickly get the feel that they take this all very seriously.
Watch my review here - youtu.be/dPAVN4npuDI
eBay - go.shopmy.us/p-5436094 - I'm a bit biased on this one because I also sell on ebay, but if you don't enjoy the thrill of the hunt with thrifting...then ebay should be your main source for secondhand. I regularly go on liking sprees of designers that are wayyyyy out of my price budget because you never know when you might get a fantastic offer. Most niche designers that are making incredible quality items are severely underpriced on ebay.
Etsy - go.shopmy.us/p-5436119 - This is a tough one....the market has changed so much and the fear of getting a cheap drop shipped item is real. But if you really dig deep into the seller and what they do, you can find incredible made to fit items, natural fibers that are impossible to find in any retail store, and super rare vintage items.
Alex Mill - go.shopmy.us/p-12974841 - A personal favorite of mine! I love the colorful and bold pops of color. It's a bit on the pricier side, but everything I've purchased and thrifted from them felt premium and had a decent level of construction. They stay consistent.
Watch my review here - youtu.be/QUq8Ubjn63M
- I'll continue to update this list as I find things that I think are noteworthy -
Ongoing Discount Codes -
Ultrahuman Ring Air - Laur10 gets you 10% off - ultrahuman.com/LauraM
7or9 Metallic Ballet Flats - go.shopmy.us/p-5602390 - Use code LAURAV15 at checkout
MY YOUTUBE ESSENTIALS
Epidemic Sound (Where I find all of my music) - epidemicsound.com/referral/wqh4ke
Vlog Camera - bit.ly/3SkeZpO
Main Camera - bit.ly/3qJtfte
Mic - bit.ly/3mQwgXM
Shot on Canon EOS R
Edited in Premiere Pro
