New York-based photographer and content creator Tanya Ravichandran has a unique morning ritual: before her first coffee or workout, she dives into resale websites. This isn't casual browsing; it's a focused quest. "I wake up, go on my phone, and immediately check every single secondhand app’s listings," she explains. Her mission is clear: to find vintage treasures from Alexander McQueen and Ann Demeulemeester. She even employs a bot that continuously scans the internet to ensure she doesn't miss any opportunity.
Based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Ravichandran has garnered a significant online following for her impressive and expanding collection of pieces from these two influential avant-garde fashion houses. On TikTok, where she boasts over a million followers, she often offers glimpses into her distinctive wardrobe, which currently houses more than 200 items from Demeulemeester and over 400 from McQueen. Her serious collecting began about three years ago, although she's been a fashion enthusiast for a decade. "I’ve been collecting for the past decade, but not at the level at which I am looking on the internet nonstop now," she admits. This dedicated focus has turned her hobby into a true obsession, and she's become adept at refining her collecting strategy.
Photo: Jackson Steevens
While her predominantly black-and-white wardrobe includes other notable designers like Margiela and Tom Ford-era Gucci, Ravichandran's intense focus on Demeulemeester and McQueen sets her collection apart. The question arises: what fuels this particular fascination?
Regarding Alexander McQueen, Ravichandran is captivated by the late designer's talent for romantic storytelling. (McQueen passed away in 2010.) "Every McQueen show had its own little world, and each of his models were characters with stories," Ravichandran observes, drawing a parallel to her own personal style. "I love dressing like a character in my own story. Oftentimes, when I wear McQueen, I like wearing the whole look, because I want to be an extension of that story."
Photo: Jackson Steevens
