From PR Powerhouse to Pre-Loved Pioneer: How Paige Mengers Reinvented Retail

Paige Mengers, the driving force behind Phoenix Style, is a PR entrepreneur, brand consultant, and proud pre-loved fashion obsessive. Her journey in the fashion world started long before Phoenix Style, with the launch of Bright Light PR in 2005 from her Fulham home. Bright Light PR grew into a powerhouse agency, crafting PR strategies for top-tier brands and delivering impactful communication in the ever-evolving digital age.

In 2017, Paige took the helm at Phoenix Style, a second-hand luxury consignment boutique founded in the 1970s and one of Surrey’s original fashion hotspots. Under her leadership, Phoenix Style has expanded its footprint, becoming a beloved institution in both Surrey and Wimbledon, London. The boutique is known for its meticulously curated collections, featuring top designer labels like Chanel and Zimmermann. Recently, Phoenix Style has added fine jewellery to its offerings, elevating its reputation for sophistication.

People often ask me how I got into pre-loved fashion—and the truth is, the story changes every time. There are just so many reasons why I fell head over heels for it. But if I had to pinpoint one defining moment, it would be the image of Kate Moss at New York Fashion Week in 2003, gliding through the crowd in a pale yellow 1950s dress. She looked iconic. That was the first time I realised that second-hand didn’t have to mean second-best. It could mean unique, elevated, and incredibly chic.

Years later, after running a successful Fashion and Lifestyle PR agency—Bright Light PR—for over a decade, I found myself drawn to something more personal, something rooted in community and purpose. That’s when I acquired Phoenix Style in 2017, one of Surrey’s original second-hand luxury consignment boutiques that has been around since the 70s. It was a leap, not just in business terms, but in mindset. People were sceptical back then. Some women would literally recoil at the idea of wearing something second-hand. I remember thinking, "How do I get them to see what I see?"

So I did what I know best—I told stories.

Not just my story, but the stories behind the clothes. The provenance, the designers, the past lives of these beautiful pieces. And slowly, people started to lean in. They were curious. They asked questions. They tried things on. Before long, the same women who once turned up their noses were coming in with friends, bringing pieces of their own to sell, and proudly telling us how they’d styled their latest Phoenix find.

Phoenix Style has become more than a boutique—it’s a community. A space where people come not just to shop, but to connect, to relove, and to rediscover what fashion can be. The idea that sustainability and luxury can exist side by side is central to what we do. From our Phoenix Resale Programme to our carefully curated edit of pre-loved designer labels—think Chanel, Zimmermann, Gucci—we offer timeless pieces that deserve a second (or third) life. We’ve recently added fine jewellery to the mix, continuing our mission to make sustainable shopping feel like a treat, not a compromise.

Of course, the journey hasn’t always been smooth. Shifting consumer mindsets takes time, especially when fast fashion is so cheap and easy. But that’s also what makes the work feel worthwhile. Every converted customer, every repeat visit, every ‘I never thought I’d wear pre-loved but…’ makes me feel like we’re doing something that matters.

From a business perspective, the appeal of pre-loved fashion is growing fast. Consumers are waking up to the impact of their shopping habits, and they’re craving authenticity and individuality.

Fast fashion may offer convenience, but pre-loved offers character. It tells a story—your story—and that's something no mass-produced piece can replicate.

To anyone still unsure about second-hand, I always say this: just try it once. Come in, have a browse, talk to us. You might leave with a bag full of beautiful finds—or just a new way of thinking.

Either way, you’ll be part of something bigger: a movement towards more conscious, joyful, and stylish living.

Paige Mengers' journey with Phoenix Style is a testament to the power of community and storytelling in building a successful business. She didn't just sell pre-loved fashion; she sold a vision—a vision of sustainable luxury and conscious consumption. Her experience proves that by connecting with customers on a personal level and offering something unique, businesses can thrive while making a positive impact. For small business owners, her story is a reminder that authenticity and purpose can be powerful drivers of growth and customer loyalty.