Wines We're Drinking: Cremosi Vineyards Pinot Noir — Latina-owned winery based in Oregon This week's episode is one for the cultura and the closet, mija. Jessica sits down with Elvira Zamora, visionary founder of Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance — two platforms rooted in culture, community, and conscious expression. Elvira grew up in Lima, Peru, where reusing, repurposing, and refusing to waste were just a way of life. When she arrived in the U.S. at 10 years old, the wastefulness she witnessed was a full-on culture shock — and it sparked a lifelong commitment to sustainable fashion that she's turned into a movement. From the hidden health risks of fast fashion fabrics (yes, you might literally be wearing plastic) to the radical joy of clothing swaps and sewing circles, Elvira breaks it all down in a way that's real, funny, and genuinely eye-opening. She also shares the story behind Chicano Elegance, a glam gala she created after waiting two decades to see Latiné culture celebrated on a fashion runway — so she built the runway herself. This one will have you rethinking your closet, your consumption habits, and maybe even that wedding dress sitting in a bag in the back of your room. No judgment, just chisme and good wine. In This Episode We Cover: [00:00] Intro and welcome — Jessica introduces Elvira Zamora [01:18] Elvira's bio: Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance [03:32] Drinks check — Elvira's Arnold Palmer and Jessica's Cremosi Vineyards Pinot Noir [06:36] Why wine doesn't have to be snobby, and Latiné-owned wine brands [07:51] How sustainable living started for Elvira — growing up in Lima, Peru [10:11] Moving to the U.S. at 10 and the culture shock of American wastefulness [11:44] Back-to-school scams and the truth about consumption culture [14:03] Growing up wanting to fit in vs. what her parents taught her [16:00] "The drug is our consumption" — and what that means for the planet [18:17] How much we're really spending (the Walmart, Amazon, and Temu receipts don't lie) [19:24] Why Goodwill and Salvation Army are not the move — and what to do instead [20:26] Sway LA and fabric recycling centers — giving clothes a real second life [23:29] How Jessica shops: thrift finds, body changes, and the one-in-one-out rule [26:16] The health risks of cheap fast fashion — carcinogens, plastic fabrics, and your skin [28:37] Fashion as food: Taco Bell vs. abuela's handmade tortillas [30:05] How Elvira's journey into upcycling started — and her dad the tailor [32:03] Repurposing curtains into skirts and the art of slow fashion [36:08] Cadena Collective, Cindy Castro, and supporting artisans paid fair wages [40:26] How purchasing power is the only language corporations speak [42:48] Radical sewing clubs, clothing swaps, and fighting back with fun [43:45] How Thrifts.com and Chicano Elegance came to be [44:43] Creating Chicano Elegance: a Met Gala by us, for us, starring us [49:10] The wedding dress conversation — how to repurpose meaningful pieces [54:13] ThredUp, fabric donation centers, and better ways to give clothes away [56:25] Prom dresses, domestic violence shelters, and giving directly to community [60:49] What's next — Thrifts.com relaunch (August/September) and the Chicano Elegance Gala in San Bernardino (September) [61:41] The challenges of building while working a 9-to-5 and caregiving for parents [64:29] What keeps Elvira going — and why passion has to be the reason [68:20] Chicano Elegance Foundation is now a 501(c)(3) — and the coffee table book [70:53] Closing thoughts: do it for yourself, do it for the next generation Connect with Elvira Zamora: Instagram: @thrifs_ Website: ChicanoElegance.com Website: Thrifts.com Fabric Recycling & Donation Resources: ThredUp: ThredUp.com Sway Fabric Recycling (Los Angeles): suay.com Search your area for domestic violence shelters, prom dress programs, and women's reentry organizations accepting clothing donations — and ask your community! Connect with Wine & Chisme: Website: thewineandchismepodcast.com Instagram: @wineandchisme TikTok: @wineandchisme YouTube: Wine & Chisme Podcast Threads: @wineandchisme LinkedIn: Wine & Chisme Podcast Latiné Wine Brand Directory: thewineandchismepodcast.com/directory Amplifying Latiné voices, one glass at a time. Salud, mi gente!
