Two Belfast medicine students say they are grateful for the support that's been shown for their vintage clothing store.
Opening up shop just a stone throw away form their lecture halls at Queen's University, best friends Rithvik Gidwani and Rory Bolton now source and sell clothing through Rags Vintage Clothing Limited.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Rithvik, who is from Derry, said they want to promote the industry, away from fast fashion.
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"I haven't really got a business background, and am in my final year of my studies in Queens," the 22-year-old said.
"When I was in first and second year people would comment on my clothes and ask where I go them. I decided to sell my clothes through Depop and then started to buy things in to sell. It grew quickly.
"During lockdown, I had a bit of free time and thought I'd branch out because people were loving our products through pop-up shops in Elms. Out store officially opened on October 1, and this semester, we opened after Christmas."
Rags Vintage Clothing Limited is located in the new Queen's Students Union building, on the bottom floor in unit 1. It sells vintage sweatshirts and other items ranging from £20 up to the more premium prices for specific items.
"Everything is vintage and we want to get away from fast fashion," Rithvik added.
"All of the employees in the company are students between the age of 18-22, and that was important to us to give back. I always had my friends helping at pop-ups and stuff so when we got a store and employed students, that would encourage them to shop more sustainable, instead of going to the bigger brands.
"We really care about that aspect of fashion. Our contact is signed until June here, but in long term, we have our e-commerce site which will continue to run, but we are looking ahead to the future now."
Visit here to see the range at Rags Vintage Clothing Limited.
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