An Edinburgh mum is opening a 'sustainable' vintage style clothes store in Southside after being inspired by her eco warrior children.
Amrit Kaur, 32, mum to three boys Manri, Jeeo and Sebbi - who turned one the same day the proud mum got the keys to the new shop.
The mum-of-three is no stranger to the capital's retail scene as her husband Bana, 35, is one of the Gold brothers.
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The family of business tycoons are well known in the capital and operate many tourism, American candy and Harry Potter-themed stores across the Old Town and City Centre.
But after a couple of years out of work and looking after their children, Amrit wants to move away from the family name and make a go of it herself selling imported designer clothes from America.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live Amrit said: "I went to London and met someone who did vintage clothing wholesaling, with bales and all that kind of stuff.
"He told me they bought containers from America filled with branded clothes so I thought there was a gap in the market in Edinburgh.
"I love wearing vintage stuff and so do the kids which is where the idea came from.
"We were supposed to be going on a couple of family holidays this year, but I thought actually I want to show my kids it's good to work and I hadn't been working for a couple of years so we decided to open up the shop.
"We found the shop next to the university it is really good and fits in with the independent small businesses in the area, and lots have pop up shops that we can sell our clothes in.
"People can get more jobs too there is so many empty shops around we can help."
The mum continued: "We are going to have a lot of branded, sporty stuff in which is different. I have gone to fast fashion in the past but its getting so expensive and if you can recycle why wouldn’t you."
"Most of the stuff in the shop is up-cycled which is so sustainable and good otherwise it’s just going to end up in landfill."
Some people may have the perception vintage clothes may not always be in the best condition but the 33-year-old wants to make sure when the products reach the shop floor they are nearly new.
Amrit said: "I'm not having anything coming from the bales that hasn't been washed, we are using all eco friendly products - I have bought four tumble driers in the last month.
"I'm doing it all myself at home, with the kids too. I want the shop to be the clothes are near to new, we are hand picking the best out of the bales and selling on everything else," she added.
Amrit feels passionate about giving everyone the same opportunity when looking for staff so is interviewing everyone who applies.
This included 15 interviews in one day. She said: "We had great girls today, one was in today who is just about to finish her social media marketing degree, another girl was vegan and really passionate about that.
"I think everyone should work, it kinda stopped in lockdown so I'm glad to offer job opportunities."
The mum was also taken aback at how much packaging comes with shopping online.
While splurging in lockdown describing how her children asked 'what have you been buying mummy' because there were so many packages.
Amrit wants to go in a different direction with her new store selling handmade cotton tote bags and craft paper bags instead of plastic.
She explained: "In lockdown I did A LOT of online shopping, things like Amazon I was getting loads of boxes with one tiny product in them.
"We are getting our own branded cotton tote bags and craft paper bags, so we aren't using plastic."
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The stylish mum even got a bespoke sign for her new store which was done by local business man Thomas Paints, and described how passerby’s would stop to admire his work.
The artist painted the iconic Harvard university inspired sign outside the shop complete with 23.5k gold carat flakes.
She said: "Everyone can make small and simple changes to their every day life making a difference to save our wonderful planet."
Helping out when we visited the shop on a Friday afternoon were her eldest sons Manri and Jeeo. Seven-year-old Manri told us: "We are going to sell vintage Pokemon shorts and I'm going to pick stuff up of the floor and keep it tidy.
"The clothes are all hidden in the back because we don't want people to see them yet."
Jeeo, aged five, added: "Vintage outfits help save the planet. I helped mummy wash all the clothes with special eco-friendly washing powders. I helped wash the clothes."
The boys come after school to help out in the shop and have been telling their mum all about how important recycling and eco friendly action is, after learning about it in school which is what inspired Amrit to go into the vintage retail business.
After getting the keys two weeks ago the mum is aiming to open the store in the next couple of weeks and will be hosting a launch party. You can find out more here.
