Hidden Gems: Meet Alesha Bowman of unLESHed+ Resale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alesha Bowman.

Alesha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a love for fashion and coordinating outfits. I was introduced to “thrifting” at the age of eight when she visited her first thrift store with my grandmother. Even at an early age, I was aware that she had a larger body and found that the cut and structure of my new finds made me feel comfortable and confident. As I grew older, my relationship with fashion and thrift shopping grew with me and eventually evolved into a passion that leads me to obtaining a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. After years of compliments on style and questions about where I found clothing for her larger body, I wanted to share my knowledge and experience with other womxn. In March of 2018, I launched unLESHed+ Resale online. In April of 2019, we transitioned to in store only sales when I opened the physical location.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lol, anything smooth isn’t my life’s journey. Entrepreneurship is a journey that I never saw myself on. Transitioning from Higher Education to full-time entrepreneurship was a struggle. The biggest for me was giving up my financial stability and betting/relying on myself to bring in all of the income.

Also, in the beginning, finding a community in Kansas City that needed my services. Our structure is different. There are not many people rallying for fat folks, so when unLESHed+ came about it took a bit for some people to get it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about unLESHed+ Resale?
We are the only secondhand shop locally that caters to plus-size womxn. We curate spaces for womxn to feel comfortable to be their most authentic selves and embrace their body where it is in the moment.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the growth we continue to show. From being taboo and unrecognized in KC to being on an internationally syndicated tv show in less than three years.

We offer clothing and a welcoming environment of course, but we also offer various social opportunities throughout the centering plus-size folks throughout the year as well.

These include:

– A Trap Burlesque Show – A fashion and dance showcase. Womxn can sign up for a three months body liberation intensive where they learn to become more in tune/comfortable with the sensual side of their bodies.

– Kansas City Plus Size Weekend – A four-day festival centering and appreciating larger bodies. We have a fashion show, field day, pool party and vendor event.

– Plus Size Dance Classes

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
unLESHed+ Resale is a curated contemporary resale shop with affordable gently used, new and vintage womxn’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. Catering to womxn size 14 & up, our mission is to provide a welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience for womxn with larger bodies while helping to build confidence, build community, and build self-love among plus-size womxn in Kansas City and beyond. Visit our shop at 4243 Troost where you can:

SHOP our affordable selection of gently used, new, and vintage clothing.

SELL us your items that are in great condition and in the current season. We will give you up to 30% of our resale value on the spot!

SWAP your items with our current in store collection or save for later with our store credit option valued up to 50% of our resale value.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@shopunleshed.com
• Website: www.shopunLESHed.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopunLESHed
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopunLESHed
• Youtube: @curvecultivation

Image Credits
Pool pic and fashion show pic – Sheila Johnson