How This Aspen Entrepreneur Is Redefining Luxury Fashion With Upcycled Designer Brands

The Rise of Sustainable Luxury in Aspen

Killeen Brettmann is tackling overconsumption head-on, one designer piece at a time. With her newly launched company Deja Nu, Brettmann is upcycling iconic brands like Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès, transforming them into stylish vests and jackets that merge the luxury Aspen lifestyle with a commitment to sustainability.

Killeen Brettmann with a number of pieces from her recently launched Deja Nu first collection. Greg Poschman/Courtesy photo

A Personal and Professional Journey

Brettmann has deep roots in Aspen, with a decade in marketing at Aspen Skiing Company, launching FIJI Water from town, and serving as managing director for the Aspen Ideas Festival. After leaving the Institute, she sought a business opportunity that aligned with her values. "My kids are super thrifters, and I’ve been thinking about how to combat overconsumption in my own life," she said.

The Growing Secondhand Market

According to Brettmann, the secondhand clothing market is growing two to three times faster than the firsthand market. The ThredUp 2025 Resale Report projects the global secondhand apparel market to reach $367 billion by 2029, with the U.S. market expected to hit $74 billion. "There’s just amazing goods and products here in Aspen," she noted, highlighting the challenge of connecting suppliers with buyers in the upcycling world.

A Family Collaboration

Brettmann collaborated with her daughters on the Deja Nu brand, incorporating their fashion sensibilities. Her daughter Eryn, studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, models the pieces and helps with design. "It’s been really nice to have something we can do together," Eryn said.

Brettmann’s daughter, Eryn, models one of the jackets from Deja Nu’s first collection. Greg Poschman/Courtesy photo

Local Production and Community Involvement

All Deja Nu pieces are 100% produced locally. Brettmann enrolled in a basic sewing class at Colorado Mountain College’s Outdoor Soft Goods Programs, where she met women who now form her team, working from areas like Eagle, Rifle, Carbondale, and Snowmass Village. Janette Adrian, founder of Tumbleseed LLC, praised the collaboration: "I enjoy using vintage and making one-of-a-kind pieces. Reimagining based on what is available is a strong suit of mine."

Availability and Future Plans

The recently launched collection includes 150 pieces, available online at dejanuaspen.com with nationwide shipping and local delivery from Aspen to Carbondale. Cashmere vests are sold at Nuages, and denim trucker jackets at 419 Aspen. Brettmann is already brainstorming ideas for summer, encouraged by the positive response: "People love the concept and that it’s upcycled."