The Dialogue: A conversation with Erica Wright
I have been following Sourcewhere since its early days. There is something about the way Erica Wright has built it that feels very aligned with how I think about clothes. A real care for the detail of things, and a belief that the right piece is always worth finding.
Erica spent over a decade across Net-a-Porter, Mytheresa and Farfetch before launching Sourcewhere in 2022, and the platform has quietly become the place for sourcing luxury — past and present.
I loved asking Erica about her journey, her process, and the pieces she's still hunting for.
14.20.2026
How did Sourcewhere come about? Had you always dreamed of owning your own business or did you see a gap in the market and go for it?
It wasn’t always a dream to start my own business — but the idea for Sourcewhere came from a very real gap I kept encountering. I was constantly trying to track down pieces from past and current seasons (a sold-out bag, the perfect pair of shoes in a specific size) and it felt like there was no dedicated, elevated space to do that. I wanted to build a platform that made it easier, but also beautiful and considered in the way it worked. Once I saw that gap, I couldn’t unsee it.
The fashion industry is hugely over-saturated. What do you think newer brands are doing well that makes them stand out?
The brands that cut through now are the ones with a clear point of view. You can feel when a designer knows exactly who they’re designing for, and they’re not trying to be everything to everyone. What caught my eye about OC was the confidence in the product — it doesn’t feel overdesigned, but there’s detail, proportion, and balance. It feels fresh but grounded.
The branding and marketing for Sourcewhere has been clever and eye-catching since inception, and is an element that no other fashion sourcing platform does. It must be so fun bringing the campaigns to life. How involved were/are you in that creative process?
Thank you! The creative side is honestly one of my favourite parts. I’m deeply involved — from concepting to visuals to tone of voice. I’ve always loved brand building and storytelling, and I think in a space like ours, where everything could easily become transactional, having a distinct, elevated identity is really important. It keeps it personal.
How has your style evolved over the years? Is there a specific item in your closet that you always come back to as a starting point?
My style has become more instinctual — I now know what I’ll actually wear and what I’m buying just for the idea of it. I gravitate toward pieces that are simple but cut beautifully, and that work across seasons. One of the items I always come back to is a long-sleeve black T-shirt from The Row. It anchors everything and makes even denim feel thoughtful.
In the Instagram bio it reads “it’s out there, somewhere.” What is the most difficult piece you’ve had to source for a client and roughly how long did it take? Are there some pieces that just can’t be found?
Yes — some pieces really do feel like unicorns. One that stands out was a very specific vintage Hermès runway coat from the Margiela years, in a colourway that was barely produced. One of our top vintage partners on the Sourcewhere network took close to a year and a lot of quiet outreach behind the scenes, but they found it. Sometimes it’s less about time and more about patience — waiting for the right person to let go of something. That said, there are several pieces on the app that haven’t been found yet… but they’re still out there.
What is the most requested brand on Sourcewhere?
It’s a mix, but across all seasons, The Row, Chanel, Hermès, and Prada are some of the most requested brands. Demand for The Row continues to grow each season — especially for bags. When it comes to vintage, Phoebe-era Céline remains a consistent favourite, particularly shoes and outerwear. Hermès bags are also high on the list, especially styles outside of the “Big Two” — the Birkin and the Kelly. Seasonally, we see peaks with brands like Miu Miu and Alaïa — mostly driven by current-season styles.
You clearly have a passion for past and current piece and this is reflected in your business.
The foundation was always about sourcing what’s hard to find — so past and current felt like a natural part of that. But over time, it’s become clear that people want both: the new item they just missed, and the vintage piece they can’t stop thinking about. So we’ve shaped the experience around that, giving space to both ends of the timeline.
What is the ratio of past and current pieces?
It shifts seasonally, but I’d say it’s close to 60/40 — with more requests now coming in for archival or recent past-season pieces. There’s so much emotion tied to finding something you thought you missed.
I love the brand’s tagline “beautiful finds await”. Have you always loved beautiful things? Where do you think your love for the creative industries comes from?
Thank you — I’ve always loved beautiful things, especially the kind that feel quietly special. I think my love for the creative world came from growing up around people who appreciated detail. I’ve always been drawn to how things are made, where they come from, and the feeling they give you.
You must have been collecting archival pieces for a while now. Is there a particular piece you’re always looking for and haven’t yet found? Yes — there’s a Céline embroidered runway coat from Spring 2017 that I’ve been quietly hunting for years. I’ve seen it in editorials, on runways, but never in real life. One day.
I remember the first Céline piece of clothing I bought. The pink dress from the Pre/Fall 2017 collection. My mum was travelling overseas and was under strict instructions to let me know if she found anything. She FaceTimed me while she was in the changing room…I was driving. Clothing can hold memories, represent an achievement or occasion in our life and clearly (especially what we are now seeing with Céline Phoebe Philo era) can become a collectors item. If you had to choose one, what is this piece in your wardrobe?
One of my most memorable pieces would have to be a pair of pull-on sneakers from the Fall 2013 collection. I spent so much time tracking them down — getting them across different continents before I finally had them. They hold so much: memory, perseverance (!), and the starting point of an idea that would become Sourcewhere. It’s the story and the feeling behind pieces like that which make them worth holding onto.
What is next for you and for Sourcewhere?
We’re working on expanding our sourcing network as we grow globally — bringing in more collectors, trusted sourcing experts, and boutiques. We’ve made some major improvements on the technical side to better support our sellers behind the scenes. This part of the platform has quietly powered everything from day one, and I’m really excited to roll out what’s next for our Partners. Personally, I’m just staying open to what’s next!
