As thrifting continues to be one of the best ways to elevate wardrobe character, entrepreneurs like Coralie Kourany, founder of Narrative Thrift, have found a way to dial in and hand-pick hidden gems in forms of vintage clothing and home decor.

“Narrative is slow. I think that it is mostly a lifestyle. I try to not be too attached to Narrative because I don’t want to be looking at my phone constantly. I select every piece so carefully and that means that I have one piece every second day or one piece a day to offer.”

When asked what Narrative is in a couple words, Kourany says it through her values.

“Sustainability. I’m using the resources we already have. Giving it a twist and offering something different.”

To slow down one’s closet consumption, Narrative Thrift pieces are exclusively purchased through Instagram.

“Honestly, it’s the form of social media I use most. I’m very inspired by images and also, as a painter, I find it so inspiring to see different colour, to see different texture. Having it on Facebook doesn’t really portray anything. On Tumblr, you can’t really sell anything. Instagram just made more sense.”

Although Narrative’s style is earthy and based in natural materials and natural curation, Montreal-born turned West Coast biker Kourany stresses the importance of variety in style, which comes together aesthetically to form something genuine.

“I’m super open. When I was younger I was confused because I was being heavily influenced to wear things that other people would wear, and I had this mental breakdown. I was upset and telling my mom that I didn’t want to wear what everyone wore. It doesn’t feel like me. She said I could be a cowgirl one day and then be a gypsy the next day, that will always stick with me.”

For what it has done to Kourany’s style is invaluable to her work.

“It’s definitely made me visit and get more curious about culture and history. I see where things come from. As a form of creative expression, you can see what choices people make. It’s important for me to educate others on how to be sustainable.”

Spaces like this help to incubate connections Narrative hopes to grow in self-sustaining ways.

“What I’m hoping for Narrative is that I build up enough recurring customers and creative a network of women so that I am able to photograph them in Narrative and share their narrative, share their story so we can co-create.”