<p><span>With a fresh wave of thrift store founders taking over the retail scene, there&rsquo;s a growing mission to champion sustainability in every aspect of fashion. The eclectic lifestyle of thrifting has reached new heights in our city.</span></p>

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        <p><span>Entering Beyond Encore for the first time is akin to stepping into an art gallery. Graffiti sprawls across the walls, mingling effortlessly with cut-out magazine pieces that blanket the space from floor to ceiling. Amidst this curated chaos, one discovers an array of unique fashion pieces meticulously organised by both colour and design. At just 21 years old, founder Jay envisioned Beyond Encore as a cornerstone of the city&rsquo;s vibrant thrift scene. Drawing inspiration from social media, his surroundings and invaluable input from his father, Jay crafted a design ethos revolving around the elements of graffiti art. The result? A space that not only embodies the values of sustainability, creativity and community engagement but also stands as a testament to Jay&rsquo;s visionary spirit.</span></p>
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        <p><span><em><strong>Has it been always in the plan for you to have your own thrift shop?</strong></em><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">I&rsquo;ve always been fascinated by thrifting, and owning my own thrift store would turn my passion into a profession. It would allow me to share unique finds with others, while also promoting sustainability and community engagement.<br /><br /></span><em style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong>Can you recall your first thrifted item? And where did you get it?<br /></strong></em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">It&rsquo;s a Levi&rsquo;s jacket from JBR Bundle.<br /><br /></span><em><strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">What motivated your passion for thrifting?<br /></span></strong></em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">The reason I&rsquo;m passionate about thrifting is because it offers such a practical solution. It&rsquo;s all about the joy of uncovering affordable treasures that fit snugly within my budget. This way, I get to indulge in the delight of owning distinctive items without feeling the pinch of financial limitations. Thrifting empowers me to explore a world of unique finds while keeping my wallet happy.</span></p>
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        <p><span><em><strong>What do you believe is the greatest community advantage of thrifting?</strong></em><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">One of the most significant benefits that thrifting brings to communities is its strong support for sustainability. By giving preloved items a second chance, thrifting helps to minimise waste and contribute to environmental conservation efforts. This practice not only reduces the burden on landfills but </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">also promotes a culture of reusing and recycling. Thrifting empowers individuals to make eco-conscious choices while enjoying the thrill of finding hidden treasures.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><strong><em>Does everything you have at Beyond Encore reflect your personal style? Where do your stylistic inspirations come from? </em><br /></strong>Although not every item in our thrift store perfectly aligns with my personal style, I appreciate the diverse range of tastes and preferences that are curated within our selection. I draw my stylistic inspirations from a multitude of sources, including fashion magazines, social media influencers, vintage aesthetics and street style. Embracing this variety allows me to explore different looks and experiment with my wardrobe, ultimately leading to a more dynamic and expressive sense of fashion.<br /><br /><strong style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><em>What is your approach to self-expression and styling?</em><br /></strong></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;">My personal style is all about individuality, creativity and comfort, empowering me to express myself authentically and confidently. I see fashion as a tool for self-expression, allowing me to convey my personality and mood through the clothing I select to wear.</span></p>
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        <p><span><em><strong>Do you believe that clothing can impact a person&rsquo;s confidence or emotions? </strong></em><br />If so, how does wearing a great outfit improve your mood?</span><span>Absolutely, I firmly believe that clothing plays a significant role in shaping our confidence and emotions. When I&rsquo;m dressed in a great outfit and receive compliments from others, it immediately boosts my mood, filling me with confidence and joy. Feeling comfortable and stylish in what I wear also subtly but profoundly influences my mindset, contributing to an overall sense of positivity and empowerment.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; letter-spacing: 0px;"><em><strong>Do you have any advice for small-time thrifters who would like to grow their business or extend their personal collections?</strong></em><br /></span><span>I believe this applies to any industry. Take time to consider if this is the right industry for you. If it is, throw yourself into it with passion. Most importantly, you should genuinely enjoy going through clothes and stick to your principles while doing so.</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">CREDITS:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Photography</strong> Floyd Grey<br /><strong>Creative direction &amp; Styling</strong> Syazil Abd Rahim<br /><strong>Photography</strong> assistant Absor<br />Special thanks to Beyond Encore</p>

Earth Day Special: Jay of Beyond Encore on making clothes great again

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