Starter Story Billy Kuper
Reduce en Re-use
Billy (31) stands out. He is wearing sunglasses by Ermenegildo Zegna, a fuchsia-colored suit with a red sweater underneath. Over that, a long, wool Burberry coat. 'Found it on Vinted,' he says beaming. He buys almost all of his clothes second-hand. They are branded clothes of good quality. Since his teenage years, Billy has been passionate about fashion. In his home country Thailand, he was at that time required to wear a school uniform. His passion is expressed in the striking sunglasses or colorful umbrella that he adds to it. 'I was different and was therefore bullied by my classmates. I didn’t care about it.'
Besides Billy And because of the way he dresses, he is also exceptionally smart and brave. With the help of a scholarship, he arrives in Maastricht to study 'data science and artificial intelligence.' One morning, standing in front of his wardrobe and shouting that he has nothing to wear, he decides to combine his passion – fashion – and interest – artificial intelligence. He starts his business. Closist en ontwikkelt een applicatie die gericht is op het toegankelijker, leuker en duurzamer maken van mode. Niet door recycling te promoten, maar ‘reduce and re-use’.
Closist has been offering a platform since summer 2024 where users can receive personalized styling advice. This advice takes into account both what the user has in their wardrobe through their uploaded photos, as well as the weather, the place the user needs to be that day, and their mood. 'Mix and match,' says Billy. The application also creates a packing list, for example, for a 4-day city trip to Berlin. 'With the application, I’m not selling drama like many companies that value sustainability do. No, I’m selling fun. More than 85% of the population is not at all interested in sustainability. But they are interested in fashion.'
Billy's ideas and his personality stand out. In the same year that he started his company, he reached the finals of the Marc Cornelissen Brightlands Award; an award that is presented annually to an entrepreneur who contributes to a sustainable future. When Billy sought advice from Marcel van Kasteren of the StartersCentrum Limburg, he received the tip to get in touch with the Brightlands Campus. He applied for the award and rehearsed his pitch with advisor Ingrid Candel. Not long after, he reached that final stage that changed everything, despite the fact that he did not win the prize. Closist krijgt inmiddels veel aandacht en heeft nu meer dan 50.000 volgens op Instagram.
Billy is no longer bullied for being different. It now brings him attention and support, exactly what a Closist needs. 'I have learned not to care about others and never to give up.'
Interview by Ingrid Candel
Photos of Billy Kuper
Guidance by business advisors Marcel van Kasteren and Ingrid Candel
