We recently connected with Mal Taylor and have shared our conversation below.
Mal, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome it at all! But when insecurities start creeping in or I find myself questioning everything, the beauty of Lu Land is that I can always return to the simple truth—I genuinely love vintage and fashion. Even if not a single person resonates with what I put out into the world, it still resonates with me. And I think that’s true of all art—if it matters to you, it matters.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
With over a decade of experience in the fashion industry, I founded Lu Land in 2020 as a home for my vintage collection and a launchpad for my wardrobe styling career. For me, fashion—especially vintage—is all about storytelling. There’s a magic in sourcing vintage pieces; you never quite know what you’ll find, yet somehow, the pieces themselves seem to shape the narrative, building a wardrobe that feels both personal and intentional.
One of the things I love most about vintage is the craftsmanship. In a world where modern fashion often cuts corners, vintage pieces stand apart—every detail is a labor of love, and the textiles are more often natural rather than synthetic. There’s an authenticity and longevity to these garments that you just don’t find in mass production.
With Lu Land, my goal is to curate a collection that speaks to a variety of personal styles, offering something for everyone. As a stylist, my hope is to help people embrace their own sense of style with confidence and ease—whether that’s through vintage finds that feel like they were meant for them or through a more tailored approach to building their wardrobe. Fashion should feel effortless, expressive, and above all, like an extension of who you are.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Here’s a more polished and engaging version of your text:
I was homeschooled my entire life on a small farm just outside of Nashville. At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate it, but that upbringing gave me endless space to explore my creativity and imagination. Entrepreneurship wasn’t a word I knew, but by second or third grade, I was already trying to start small businesses—most of which, of course, didn’t last. I launched a lending library, organized a day camp for kids, and even raised chickens to sell their eggs, all before middle school. I loved every part of it—the planning, the details, the excitement of building something—even though I had no idea what I was doing.
As I got older, I found my way into the fashion and live events industries, where I sharpened my business and management skills while being exposed to so many different facets of the creative world. Even now, I couldn’t tell you exactly what my “skill set” is, but I know what I lean on most: the ability to imagine and create, a strong sense of organization, and a good amount of grit.
Running a small business isn’t for the faint of heart, and vintage, in particular, is a hands-on, messy business. You have to be willing to dig through old barns in search of hidden treasures—only to come home and switch gears to run your own accounting and marketing department. But there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. The challenge, the creativity, and the thrill of discovery make it all worth it. When you love something, it’s worth it! Fools errands and all.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Lu Land isn’t a traditional brick-and-mortar shop, and I don’t rely on an agency to find my styling clients. Instead, I showcase my collection through residencies and markets, creating a more intimate, ever-evolving space for discovery. Every styling client I work with comes through word of mouth, which makes the process feel organic and deeply personal.
Collaboration is at the heart of what I do—I love working with other makers and creatives, and I’m always open to meeting new clients. In a way, Lu Land feels like an extension of my own home filled with my favorite old treasures, a place where creativity and nostalgia meet. And the door is always open. : )
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lulandvintage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lu__land/
Image Credits
Likeness Studio (some images, the rest I took) I can clarify if helpful
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
