The Preloved Co. is a store in Bengaluru where you can thrift for a cause

The Preloved Co retailer in Halasuru
| Picture Credit score: Particular association

Co-founded by Bengaluru-based Mariam Begg and Meghna Khanna, the Preloved Co is a clothing thrift store at Halasuru, Bengaluru, that raises funds for various NGOs and social organisations. The Preloved Co. additionally goals for sustainability by taking in used garments in good situation from native donors and promoting them at inexpensive costs.

“All of the proceeds from our gross sales, after overlaying our bills, go to totally different NGOs working for social causes similar to WeLive, Ulsoor Canine Squad, Dwelling of Hope and different organisations that help the slums, transgenders and intercourse staff,” says Meghna.

The shop which opened in December 2023 has a different assortment starting from Indian and Western put on, in addition to casuals and formals from manufacturers similar to Christian Dior, Zara, H&M in addition to residence grown labels and native manufacturers similar to Nicobar, The Summer season Home and FabIndia.

The clothes retailer additionally collaborates usually with exhibitions within the metropolis — Sunday Soul Sante, Namu Recommends Vegan Market, Hundred Fingers, aside from partnering with corporates, condominium complexes and areas like GoodEarth Malar, the Brigade Group, the Bangalore Worldwide Centre and the Bangalore Inventive Circus.

Mariam Begg (Left) and Meghna Khanna at their retailer in Halasuru
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association

“Fortunately, we’ve many volunteers who are available in to assist us on the retailer as properly throughout such exhibitions. We additionally provide them a chance to intern with us,” says Meghna.

Vanshika Singh, a college student who regularly volunteers at the Preloved Co, not too long ago accomplished an internship there and says, “There are a variety of methods through which a volunteer will help. I aided with gross sales and advertising and marketing which included interacting with the shoppers, sorting garments earlier than the occasion and billing throughout totally different exhibitions.”

Thirft tradition nonetheless new to town

Meghana mentions that folks typically misread the time period “preloved” to imply a donations retailer. “More often than not folks attain out to us with used garments which we don’t settle for. We don’t donate our garments on to charity — we promote them and it’s the quantity we elevate by means of their gross sales that’s donated to charity. That’s the reason we solely settle for clothes which might be saleable, and never worn out clothes.”

Clients purchasing on the retailer
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association

Vanshika says, “Thrift culture remains to be new to Bengaluru. Not lots of people are open to sporting used garments however thrifting is slowly getting a variety of consideration as a result of additionally it is immediately linked with sustainability.”

Meghana explains, “If folks had been conscious of what number of hundreds of litres of water are required to make one t-shirt or a pair of denims, maybe they might wish to attempt reusing garments. However now since quick vogue is the pattern, a garment which was earlier worn 20 to 30 instances, is both thrown away or by no means worn after 4 or 5 outings.”

“While you donate your garments, another person will get to put on them and whenever you purchase from a retailer, you might be contributing to a social trigger. That is how we wish to operate, the place folks can think about thrifting as a lifestyle.”

“Sooner or later, we want to increase, attain out to extra folks, and even collaborate with extra schools,” says Meghna.

Costs begin at ₹100. The Preloved Co is at Halasuru, and likewise gives on-line purchasing choices by way of their Instagram deal with. For choose up or drops, name 916361866517.