Wear What You Love: Shana Emily on Thrifting, Friendship, Grief & Finding Your Freedom

In this episode of In The Studio with J Haleem, J Haleem sits down with Shana Emily, co-founder of Thrifters Anonymous, for an honest and inspiring conversation about grief, friendship, personal style, entrepreneurship, and giving yourself permission to live fully.

Shana shares how the loss of her mother became the unexpected beginning of Thrifters Anonymous. After inheriting some of her mother’s clothing and jewelry, she began wearing the pieces, documenting her outfits, and using fashion as a way to remain connected to her mother while navigating grief. What began as a personal blog eventually grew into a community centered on confidence, individuality, secondhand fashion, and self-expression.

The conversation goes far beyond clothing. Shana opens up about her longtime friendship and creative partnership with Edwina Registre, her career in employee benefits, her experience appearing on Storage Wars, her work as an actress and stylist, and the next chapter she envisions for the Thrifters Anonymous brand.

At its heart, this episode is about freedom—the freedom to wear what you love, pursue more than one passion, honor where you came from, and create a life that feels authentic.