independent designers

ace & jig: Community Quilt Raffle

How I love ace & jig. Community is always front and center. They have been working on another community quilt project. What a wonderful and creative way to show community support as well as resourceful with their left over fabric.

ace & jig are raffling 5 of their community quilts with donations going to the following organizations: Black Lives Matter, Movement for Black Lives, Marsha P. Johnson Institute, Loveland Foundation, and Color of Change.

Here is a little background about each quilt: one-of-a-kind ace&jig community quilt. each of the 36 squares of this quilt were made lovingly from leftover ace&jig textile scraps by a different volunteer from our community, as part of our commitment to reducing textile waste.

you will receive 1 raffle ticket for every $10 donation. Runs through June 22nd. Please check out ace & jig for more information and to learn about their quilting history.

A Comfortable and Stylish Label To Explore : ALIYA WANEK

Two things that came to mind when I discovered this line: Thoughtful wearable pieces for everyday living and comfortable American classics with a clean and subtle aesthetic.

ALIYA WANEK is a womenswear label from Southern California. Aliya Wanek is a speech therapist by day and a designer by night. She is the heart and soul behind this line. Aliya is focused on quality, form, function, and craft. She is about designing pieces that have longevity along with exploring the connection between identity and personal style. All garments are handmade by Aliya and her team in the Bay area.

Mission statement says it all: “The brand’s mission is to uphold ethical and sustainable practices as much as possible from working only with natural fibers to paying a living wage to small batch production to using zero waste packaging” Please check out ALIYA WANEK (all images from ALIYA WANEK)

Who Is Who?

At the end of the day how much do we really wear everything in our closet?These past couple of months with only dressing for home has shifted my thought to focusing on a seasonless and timeless wardrobe. I have slowly been moving in this direction but for some reason letting go of pieces that I have not worn in ages seems easier said then done.

As I work on editing my closet which is proving to be a painful process. My goal is to simplify my wardrobe for spring/summer with hopes that fall/winter will follow suit. I wish for less choice when it comes to dressing in the morning. Holding on to pieces that fit me well and that I feel good wearing is the name of the game.

Regardless of the season, basics for me include: tanks, tees, and denim. Each spring/summer new tanks and tees replace worn out old ones. The hunt for replacement tanks led me to discovering the Who Shirt Company.

Who Shirt Company is one of those brilliant concepts where you say to yourself why didn’t I think of that?!. A shirt with a built in shelf for your boobs that is not an athletic top. The Who designs shirts made from 100% interlock Supima® cotton with a soft supportive built-in bra. No fuss, no straps, no restrictions just pure freedom. As the company says “This is also about eliminating all the unnecessary details of your life, so you can focus on the things that matter. It’s about simply being who you are.”

Libby Haan is the clever lady behind Who Shirt Co. The company’s core values include giving back, zero waste, and made in America. Each shirt is named after a woman that continues to inspire. The Athenian owl is their icon watching over you as a reminder to embrace all that you are.

Take a peek at their website here if you are needed of some basics and also check out FABSCRAP if you are interested in zero waste.

The Label: Emerson Fry

This Sunday’s style, Emerson Fry. A local east coast label which I discovered a few years back. EF offers everyday basics with a modern feel. She does a nice job balancing trendy with classic. A playful tee paired with denim or the black fringe dress styled with a white boot are two nice examples of tasteful spins with current trends.

Emerson Fry is easy to wear. Pieces can easily fold into any wardrobe. I see this label as an on point neutral. A safe buy with an affordable price tag. I love that her style seems ageless and approachable. She could reach a broader market with more diverse (age and body type) models.

Emerson Fry started in 2009 by Emerson Bethany Fry. I appreciate that all pieces are made in the USA with the exception of the India Collection which are made in India using heirloom printing and dye techniques.

EF is another independent designer to consider when you are hunting for a fresh piece to add to your closet. Emerson Fry

Shopping My Closet And Found A New Go-To Outfit

When it comes to dressing for a party, are you a pre-planner or do you throw something together last minute? I am not in the pre- plan camp. Getting dressed for me is absolutely based on my current mood. I always have a couple of go-to outfits of the season to relay on for the times I don’t feel creative. But when the creative mood strikes, it delights me.

Event: 70’s party

Mama duty had me 10 days house bound so shopping my closet was my only option. But I knew these jeans would be in the mix. Resulting in a new favorite look for myself. I did treat myself to a mani and hair appointment.

It is all about the denim:

I having been dying to wear these super fun denims with a wide elephant bell silhouette from B Sides. The jean has a super flattering fit with a slightly high natural waist. I particularly love the oversized relaxed style of these jeans through the hip and leg. Also love that they are not cropped. They easily can be dressed up or worn denim casual. Summer on the horizon has me visualizing them with a simple tank and flip flops.

CLAUDE HIGH FLARE JEAN QUINCY MEDIUM VINTAGE

Sunday Style: An Everyday Luxury From Comme Si

Just for the fun it. Don’t over look the smallest detail that comes between your feet and your shoe. Socks are pretty much a necessity. They play to the subtle or bold side of your personality. To be seen or not, it doesn’t really matter. Personally, I love a sock paired with a sneaker, sandal, or a heel. Having your pant or skirt show them off is fun, sporty, and perhaps flirty.

Comme Si uses materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced. The colors range from soft palettes to ones of pop. You can choose from silk, cotton, cashmere, or wool. Nobody really seeks to buy expensive socks. It may feel like a ridiculous place to spend it. But this label is style and fashion with a thoughtful design process. A style that is delivered in a very understated European way. Maybe make an exception and save them for the fun event!

Explore the site for more beautiful choices, Comme Si

A Brand To Appreciate: Another Tomorrow

I appreciate those that are fully transparent. Meet my new new discovery, Another Tomorrow. A sustainable brand with careful attention to design, quality, and sourcing to produce thoughtful garments. Approaching the fashion industry with a lens of a global citizen. Every decision is guided by their values with human, animal, and environmental welfare. Their clothes speak to the minimal and modern woman. Confidence, strength, and timeless pieces that are investments. Clothing made to be worn time after time with longevity in mind. Simply beautiful!

Another Tomorrow is worth exploring. They are part of the fashion revolution. Their website is as beautiful as their collection. It is filled with content about the process and decisions that come into play with the creation of this label. Simply love it!

It Comes Down To The Details with FEIT

If you like NO.6, Ancient Greek Sandals, or ATP (All Tomorrow’s Parties) then you just may like FEIT. Henry Cuir also comes to mind. FEIT is a NYC based company designing handcrafted leather shoes for women and men that appear to only get better with wear.

Yes, it is fall but this sandal immediately captured my attention. A sandal that doesn’t read trendy or ugly anything. It is unisex in appearance with an under the radar presence. A beautiful, soft, natural, caramel toned leather sandal with hand stitching, and a solid sole. I would happily slide my foot into for the trying. Without seeing them in person, I would say they are up for the task of walking a city. A neutral tone for any situation or style. Even the packaging is thoughtful. Not to mention there is no glaring logo stamped or printed on the beautiful leather. For fall, I have my eye on the edgy metal clog below. I’m digging its everyday appeal but my wallet is saying something else.

I love that all FEIT’s footwear are made by humans from all natural products and treatments. The focus is on quality and preserving the craft. The company is fully transparent. You can read more on their website about the production process. FYI these handcrafted sandals and boots come with a pricey price tag. So you must love and value their story. I could see myself wearing both the sandal and clog non-stop and getting my cost per wear to zero. There is something special about a shoe that becomes totally worn in from the places you have traveled. FEIT does have a loyal following.

Store locations in NYC, San Francisco, and Sydney.

Sabah Style

Sabah & Coffee

Love them! Add these Turkish slippers to your summer wardrobe. The perfect everyday slides. Simplicity! No breaking in required. I was lucky enough to check them out in person when they recently traveled through Boston. Sabahs come in two styles: Sabah (leather loafer) or Baba (slip-on). I tried both. Babas in the cognac color easily compliment any style. A neutral tone that will only get better with time. Favorites for years to come. Ones that have earned a space in my suitcase for this summer’s travels.

Sabahs are handmade shoes crafted by a family team in southeast Turkey based on a traditional shoemaking method. A perfect partnership created by Mickey Ashmore who lives in NYC. They come in a variety of beautiful colors. Order online or follow their insta feed for pop up shops near you. Sabah

VIS A VIS Is Worth A Peek!

Yon Hui Cho (image from Barneys) Seasonless Style To Be Embraced

Meet Yon Hui Choi. The designer behind the very cool Seoul, Korean based clothing label, VIS A VIS. If I could empty my closet, I would start with a few pieces from VIS A VIS. Everything I see is truly 100% wearable with the undertone of menswear. Perfect for city dwellers. Clean lines, subtle detailing, uncomplicated comfortable pieces made from high quality fabrics. VIS A VIS could be your pathway to uniform dressing. Choi does not focus on seasons but rather on building upon her designs. She has a clear vision.

Choi started her career at Barneys with the men’s merchant team. It now makes total sense why she exclusively launched her first line with Barneys in 2015. This line is expensive but stay alert for sales. Think investment pieces. Appreciate the subtlety that makes these pieces go the distance with a fresh take on classic. La Garçonne is also an option.

VIS A VIS