Thrift Magic: How Brooklyn Karasack Turns $5 Finds Into $350 Masterpieces – 'It's Fun To Give Clothes A New Life'

According to Earth, over 92 million tons of clothing end up in landfills annually and this number is expected to grow. Brooklyn Karasack, a 27-year-old from St. Petersburg, Florida, is proving it doesn't have to be this way. She has turned her love for thrifting into a creative passion, catching eyes – and wallets. 

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Where most see outdated shoes or forgotten blankets, she sees bold, reimagined fashion statements. Her quirky "thrift flips" include corsets crafted from old shoes and skirts stitched from purses, blending eco-consciousness with a flair for the unexpected.

Karasack's journey began humbly in 2021 when she searched for unique outfits for music festivals. "Festival wear is expensive and I wanted something different," she told CNBC Make It. Inspired by her grandmother's sewing lessons, she made her own. 

What started as a budget-friendly solution quickly became a creative outlet. Over time, she expanded from festival pieces to everyday clothing, eventually creating almost everything she wears. Thrift stores have been her only shopping destination for the last three years.

She once spent over $100 on ill-fitting festival clothes but now customizes perfect outfits with just $5 in materials. In addition to thrifted textiles, Karasack spends $5 to $30 monthly on notions like buttons, zippers and clasps to complete her pieces.

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Her designs aren't just creative – they're impactful. Karasack is passionate about sustainability, citing the environmental benefits of upcycling. "It's fun giving new life to things that might otherwise end up in a landfill," she explained. 

And it's not just her closet that's benefiting. In 2021, she partnered with her friend Mariah Allen to cofound Controlled Chaos, a business specializing in custom upcycled festival outfits. So far, the duo has brought in over $10,000, including $3,900 in 2023.

Karasack’s top sale was a $350 sweatshirt made from a blanket and sweatshirt. It cost $20 in materials and two hours to make.

The affordability of thrifted materials and her knack for imaginative transformations have made her work popular online. Since joining TikTok's Creator Fund in mid-2023, Karasack's videos have earned her $13,000, including $4,551 in 2024. 

Her audience can't get enough of her "before and after" content, which often features dramatic reveals of her thrifted treasures turned into eye-catching designs.

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Still, Karasack is quick to point out that her full-time job as an internal audit consulting manager – where she earns $108,000 a year – gives her financial stability. "It's nice to have this side hustle, but my main job covers everything I need," she shared. In March 2024, she purchased a $205,000 condo, a milestone she credits to her stable income.

Karasack's creative spark is closely tied to her love of music festivals. She plans to attend eight festivals next year and budgets $4,000 for tickets, travel and accommodations.

Most of her trips are local, but she relies on payment plans to keep costs manageable when traveling out of state. For Karasack, the memories and connections are worth the price.

While Controlled Chaos is a successful venture, Karasack isn't in a rush to expand. "I don't want to depend on my hobby for all my income," she said. For now, she's focused on enjoying the balance between her career, her side projects and her passion for live music. "Live music is something you love for your entire life – there's no age limit," she said.

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