In a world that often demands we choose just one path, Grace Li Qing Ng is proving that you can strike a perfect chord between high-level artistry and environmental activism. As a professional classical trombone soloist, Grace has spent years training for the world's most prestigious stages, including the halls of The Juilliard School. But away from the sheet music, she was composing a different kind of masterpiece: Wear The Whimsy.

The "Why" Behind the Whimsy

The inspiration for the brand didn't come from a boardroom, but from a staggering, uncomfortable reality: enough textile waste to fill a garbage truck is dumped every single second worldwide.

That reality made Grace question why more people were not shopping secondhand, leading her to realize there was still a strong stigma surrounding the industry. She set out to change those perceptions by providing a curated, high-quality, and sustainable experience that feels elevated and personal.

“At Wear The Whimsy, our mission is to create an experience that feels as seamless, stylish, and satisfying as buying new, but without the environmental cost or the high price tag.”

The Curation Process: An "Audition" for Your Closet

For Grace, curation is far more than just reselling; it is an intentional rescue mission. While the collection primarily focuses on women’s wear—catering to a wide range from teens to middle-aged individuals—the brand invites everyone to shop their fashion-forward selections.

Her selection process follows a strict "audition" for quality and character:

Quality & Construction: She looks for pieces with strong construction and lasting wearability so they can continue to have a life beyond fast fashion waste.
The Rescue Mission: Many items sourced are perfectly good pieces that are only one step away from being discarded; Grace’s goal is to rescue them before they end up in landfills.
Uniqueness & Design: The focus is on finding pieces with interesting design and uniqueness that deserve to be worn and appreciated.
The Elevated Experience: Unlike standard liquidation, Wear The Whimsy intentionally selects and presents pieces in a way that feels personal and fashion-forward.

From Juilliard to the Thrift Rack

Grace’s relationship with fashion was forged long before she became a founder. In high school, nearly every outfit she owned was thrifted—a choice shaped by a desire for individuality and a distinct personal style.

She carried this "thrifted-chic" aesthetic with her into the professional music world, wearing curated pieces everywhere from daily classes at The Juilliard School to high-stakes professional auditions. However, she noticed a gap: the secondhand world lacked the excitement of thoughtfully packaged orders and the deep connection people build with brands they truly identify with. Wear The Whimsy was born to bridge that gap.

The Balancing Act

Building a brand while maintaining a career as a classical trombone soloist is no small feat. Music has been Grace's primary focus since a very young age, and she trained intensively for it.

"Learning how to balance performance, business operations, and personal growth has been one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the journey," says Grace. Both fields require immense discipline and creativity, and she continues to grow both her artistic work and Wear The Whimsy alongside one another.

What’s Next?

As Grace looks to the future, she is focused on expanding the reach of Wear The Whimsy and spreading awareness that sustainability and personal style can thrive together. Whether she’s on stage or curating the next drop, her goal remains the same: proving that fashion can be both expressive and environmentally conscious.