High Life

HIGH LIFE #14 Nov 2017 45 It’s in surprisingly good shape given the decades it has seen. “We use second hand furniture to go with our vintage store but with the clothes, we just sell things we like and that we would normally wear,” Elva points out. It’s a simple approach but one that works. Projecting effortless style, the couple is wearing hippie chic ensembles put together from pieces off the rack and inspired by the bold fashion that typified the ‘70s. Elva explains that this quirky style dates back to their secondary school days, from where it naturally evolved into everyday flair. “When we were at school, we loved to read Japanese magazines and go to some of the vintage stores here in Macau,” Elva says while pulling up her mustard socks. “That’s why we started wearing and loving vintage goods.” These days, Japan has become a regular destination with the couple often travelling acrossAsia – aswell as to the US and Europe – in search of interesting and peculiar vintage goods. It seems they’ve found their niche. Three years after Macau Vintage Market first opened its doors, TC and Elva are about to open a second store nearby called “Collectore,” specializing in vintage collector’s items. As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.