Passion for PRE-LOVED

Manish Mishra profiles Indian vintage collectors as they recount the stories behind some of their favourite pieces

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Investing in preloved clothing and objects is one of the many steps one can take to embrace eco-conscious living. Giving a second life to vintage pieces is a route to reduce waste, conserve resources, and contribute to a circular economy. It's also a sure shot ticket to a unique wardrobe and home, complete with vintage finds and designer pieces, scored at relatively lower costs. Does one really need to buy a pair of shoes fresh off the runway or the latest 'it' bag season after season? How about leaving a lighter footprint and shopping more responsibly? ELLE spoke to some of India's fashion and textile connoisseurs who devotedly collect preloved pieces and strongly advocate mindful consumption.

MONICA SHAH, CO-FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR, JADE

The designer has mostly discovered her favourite vintage pieces during her travels, often guided more by instinct than intention. "It's not just the physical beauty of a garment or object that draws me in, but the story behind it-the era it belongs to (Art Deco, for instance), or the cultural journey it's been through. Some of the rarest pieces I have were found during craft tours across our beautiful country, each one carrying a unique narrative I deeply cherish. After all, collectibles are vessels of history—stories passed down through generations,” she says.

For Shah, vintage and sustainability are two sides of the same coin. “For me, it's not just about style; it’s also about intention. Choosing vintage is a more conscious, mindful way of engaging with fashion, in stark contrast to the fast pace of overt consumerism,” she says.