Katherine Mendoza | Founder & Curator

Born and raised in a Chicago suburb to parents who immigrated from Mexico, Katherine grew up thrifting out of necessity—but quickly realized it was so much more. Clothing isn’t just fabric; it’s access, identity, and a public health issue that touches individuals, communities, and the climate. ORTENSE is the bridge between her two worlds: her career in public health, where she researches health equity gaps, and her deep love for secondhand goods, where sustainability meets storytelling.

With an MPH in Epidemiology and a PhD in progress, Katherine sees vintage and secondhand as an intentional way to live—where every item is chosen with care and has a history worth carrying forward. Moving to Tucson from Chicago, she found thrifting to be a way to connect with her new surroundings, a habit she now shares with her three dogs, who love accompanying her on long walks in search of hidden gems.

ORTENSE is named after Hortensia, Katherine’s grandmother, a woman as stylish as she was compassionate—toward people, animals, and the earth. Katherine hopes the shop carries that same spirit: a space that feels welcoming, well-worn, and full of history waiting for its next chapter.

Genesis Sublette | Front of House & Social Media Lead

Born in Mexico and raised in Tucson, Genesis grew up thrifting out of necessity as well, learning early on how secondhand wasn’t just about affordability—it was about creativity, individuality, and making the most of what you have. She brings a bold, edgy energy to ORTENSE, with a personal style that blends romantic gothic fashion with a raw Southwestern edge.

As front-of-house staff and social media lead, Genesis is here to help customers find pieces that speak to them, whether it’s a perfectly broken-in leather jacket or a statement vintage homeware piece. She’s also the eye behind ORTENSE’s visual storytelling, capturing the essence of secondhand through thoughtful photography and digital curation.

Beyond vintage, Genesis has a soft spot for dogs and appreciates the charm in all things aged and well-loved—whether it’s a thrifted treasure or a scruffy pup.

Claire Tobias | Resident Artist & Sustainability Advocate

Hailing from Michigan, Claire has always been drawn to the beauty of things that endure—well-worn fabrics, aged ceramics, and objects with stories etched into them. A lifelong thrifter, ceramicist, and artist, she believes in the power of repair, re-wear, and reinvention, breathing new life into both textiles and clay.

As ORTENSE’s resident artist, Claire’s exclusive ceramic works can only be found here, in person—pieces that reflect the shop’s philosophy: intentional, storied, and made to last. When she’s not at her pottery wheel, she’s behind the counter, capturing quiet moments for social media, tending to the shop, or skillfully mending garments so they can be worn and loved once more.

For Claire, sustainability isn’t just a practice—it’s an art form.