Reimagined upcycled apparel + original pieces
of character is a bold collection of reimagined, upcycled apparel and original pieces by Khanh-Thy Gonzales.
In the re: collection each garment is rescued, redesigned, and given an extra life. Vintage shirts become sculpted tops. Forgotten denim is refitted into sharp silhouettes. Every seam, patch, and stitch honors the garment’s past while pushing it forward—clean lines meet unexpected details, and imperfection becomes intentional. Limited runs, one-of-a-kind finishes, and handcrafted alterations ensure each piece is singular, sustainable, and unapologetically distinctive.
The of character originals collection presents original pieces with thoughtful details and simple, creative design. Minimal silhouettes are elevated by purposeful tailoring: hidden pockets, considered pleats, and refined closures. Fabrics are chosen for longevity and tactility; cuts are made to move with you. These originals are built to be wardrobe anchors—quietly bold, elegantly durable, and designed to be worn again and again.
Wear of character to make a statement without saying a word. Reimagined, responsible, and relentlessly original.
About Khanh-Thy Gonzales
I’m the founder and chief creator behind the brand of character, and my mission is to design reimagined upcycled clothing and original physical pieces that tell a story. By combining a Santa Clara University Marketing degree and Studio Arts minor, I have spent my career training both sides of my brain to cooperate. I look at every blank canvas—whether it is a roll of fabric or a business plan—and ask, "How can we give this true character?"
Before building this brand, my career was a bit of a whirlwind corporate adventure. I spent years steering the marketing strategies across a wild mix of industries. I ran campaigns for an advertising agency, drove growth for a software testing consultancy, managed impact-driven marketing for a non-profit hospitality association, and most recently, led product marketing and management initiatives in the high-speed lane of high tech.
When a recent tech layoff handed me an unexpected exit ticket, I chose to see it as a sign. It was the universe telling me to start using my strategy toolkit to build what truly drives me: a brand dedicated to the art of making.
For years, I moved wherever the wind (and the military) blew us. As a resilient military wife, I learned how to adapt quickly, thrive in chaos, and unpack a moving truck in record time. Now that my husband is officially retired from the service, we are planting deep, permanent roots right here in the vibrant creative community of Los Angeles. This nomadic lifestyle taught me that the things we surround ourselves with matter. They carry stories, resilience, and personality. That philosophy is the heartbeat of of character.