Greta’s eyelash top and up cycled denim art.

“original” pieces, inspiration, Outfit development

Lost in my thoughts one day, trying to figure out some sort of mission statement for all this clothes, fashion, and the blog that goes along with it business. I was perusing the internet, planning a New York City trip next Spring. I happened across a trailer for a documentary called The True Cost , a film about the fast fashion industry, textile waste, exploitation of third world garment workers (where 95% of all our clothes comes from) and the true cost of a 4$ tee shirt from Walmart, H&M, or Old Navy, and etc. I knew then I had found my mission, and how to fine tune my passion.

I’m going to wean myself off of commercially purchased fabric and re-purpose old clothes into new, beautiful clothes. I’m striving to be an inspiration by example. To be a conscious and careful consumer. And try to bring more awareness to the fact that every dollar you spend is a vote for what you believe in.

I took all my cheap, made-overseas-pants and pieced them together to form the fabric for these new jeans. Sometimes I used the original seams but I zigzagged them together initially then tightly zigzagged the raw edges THEN top stitched the seams down with a straight stitch.

In the works: I am designing an art exhibit showcasing 4 outfits made from repurposed or organic material complete with framed journal entries documenting the inspiration behind each. I have come up with 2 out of the 4. One is a Japanese inspired piece and the other is a Victorian/steampunk piece.

Everything I feel drawn to in life seems to all connect together. From my minimalistic lifestyle to sustainable, zero waste fashion, it’s all cohesive. A Greek-like ideal to always be striving for perfection in all facets of life.

Abbe Museum Indian Market and Fashion Show

indie features, Outfit development

Photo credits: Downeast Magazine and Decontie and Brown

One of my favorite jewelers also makes clothing and is having a fashion show this Saturday. I, myself will not be in the show, but am debuting my latest creation to attend. (Photo credits: Downeast Magazine and Decontie + Brown)

Notice the princess seam detailing! No more boxy shirts for me!

Another dream in it’s infancy.

Fashion revolution week and more denim art

indie features, inspiration, Outfit development

I recently came across the fashion revolution. Largely brought about in response to the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Bangladesh 5 years ago. I’m glad there was an organization created to bring about awareness of how our clothes are made, asking ourselves #whomademyclothes ? To be a part of this you don’t have to make your own clothes, but just be conscious about where your clothes come from, and how they were made. It doesn’t even matter how much you pay for your clothes, they could be still be made by sweat labor, as was proved by this tragedy in Bangladesh.

It’s funny how inspiration works. I was pleasantly going along working on my new jeggings, when I noticed my top stitching resembled staples. Then I recalled this really cool leather-goods boutique in Boston where two artists collaborated to create bags, clothes, and jewelry from staple embellished leather. Of course I’m running with it! I’m also going to try to make myself one of those bracelets to go with the whole black and silver outfit! Black and silver is my THANG, inspired by my changing hair. I feel like my hair is being bejeweled! And when it goes completely white that will be a whole new, awesome look as well

The second pair, not as far along. Embellished with black beads. Kinda reminds me of a checkered racing flag.

Spring projects

“original” pieces, inspiration, Outfit development

In the thick of several projects at once. Two pairs of pants, another hat makeover, and embroidery.

I like to mix machine sewing with hand sewing. I’m very pleased with how I hand-attached these back pockets.

A future back pocket. Recently very inspired by a woman: Tessa Perlow, who does incredible embroidery on “up-cycled” clothes. I have a Calvin Klein shirt I recently acquired from Good-will that I’m now planning on embellishing. This design of a snake wrapped around an apple was originally a tattoo. To me it represents all kinds of temptation, especially when placed on my butt pocket! the wearer of the tat said it represented good and evil to them. Either way it’s pretty deep.

All this embroidery resurgence came about because I wanted clothing tags made up but wasn’t happy with the affordable options and I was too cheap to splurge. This one I may leave shortened to just 2a.m. because it is so huge. I want to put fleur-de-lis on everything!

Customizing another vintage hat. This is a “straw” beret. If I get invited to the particular wedding or reception (hint, hint) that I badly want to go to, I will put a Rose in the band.

My first Spring bouquet.

Headpieces

inspiration, Knit wear

My collection, thus far, of vintage hats. My plan is to go antiquing for hats and personalize each one like below.

I wish I had a before photo, but I striped the white band of its previous adornment and added the steampunk buttons and am working on the navy French knots. I have many various plans for the other hats, except the gray felt, that one is perfect as is.

Some felted hat patterns from Ravelry I would like to try and make in the future. But I really want this hat for the summer

Boston…St. Patrick’s day 2018

indie features, inspiration

What a whirlwind of a weekend! But first, the beginning. Starting our journey south had us stopping into the Coastal Cafe and Bakery in Searsport, Maine and having a delicious handmade bagel and cream cheese. A couple hours later found us in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire which is this amazing shopping Mecca! I could have easily just spent all my money in that one town and gone home! My favorite find was this New York style hat and accessory shop Puttin’ on the Glitz. That’s where I bought my first Cha Cha. Cha Cha’s House of Ill Repute is a millinery in Manhattan that specializes in steampunky hats: traditional with a twist.

Lady Pickwick’s is a Victorian era ladies mercantile. That’s where I discovered Maggie Mowbray, a milliner in Edinburgh U.K. who’s head wear has been featured in movies, and worn by royalty. Another “store” of note is actually a art gallery called NAHCOTTA, they carry some TiroTiro jewelry and other enormous tiny art. After a quick bite to eat we were on the road again. Salem, Massachusetts is where my host/coworker/boss/friend has a house, this was our “home base”. Friends met us for dinner at a Ramen restaurant, Kokeshi. What an interesting mix we made! A lawyer, a social worker for veterans, a speech therapist, an entrepreneur, and two artists. For dessert we walked over to a random pop-up and grabbed a fatty, (which is what they call their cookies). Then to a late night coffee shop for a night cap and live music.

Kokeshi! Love the decor.

First time on a commuter train! You can see Boston in the back ground.

First stop: fuel. Tatte, is a beautiful bakery and cafe on Charles street.

Beacon Hill neighborhood!

If Boston had a “fashion district” it would be (in my opinion) Newbury street. Ouimille was the very first boutique we went into and it had a rack of clothes by a local indie designer, Natalie Busby. Unfortunately none of what they had in stock fit me quite right but it was exceptionally stunning. All Saints was another where I bought nothing but the cuts and styling stimulated the imagination.

Ministry of Supply was another clothing boutique of note. They specialize in office wear made of fabric that had all these wonderful qualities but what I was REALLY interested in was what they had 3D print-knitted! Still not sure how it all works but there is supposed to be zero waste. I bought two 3D print-knit sweaters that are super fine, light-weight but warm, and did I mention 3D printed?!

Discovered another American made jean company! Discovered Nordstrom’s rack! Hmmmmm…. put those two together!!

All kinds of random fun, and the original Boston Cream Pie!

Back in Salem we went to the Peabody-Essex Museum to see the Georgia O Keefe exhibit. I didn’t know she made much of her own clothes! The care, craftsmanship, and detailing on simple styles was unbelievably inspiring!

Now to home and back to creating!!