window display and other news

as part of a project for one of my classes, we have to design a store front window display. i of course am using this opportunity to showcase a lil milo b jewels! my theme is 'redux' which means 'brought back'. i repurposed vintage pendants and broches to create new jewels!

i will certainly post a pick after the window is complete!

On a side note... didn't fail at my apparel diet, but did purchase a few fair trade accessories while leading a fashion economics class yesterday...the professor who i GA under wasn't feeling well, and asked if i could step in for the afternoon while the students visited a local fair trade store.. i LOVE this store, and always forget to pop in.. because the purchases support living wages of global artisans, i shouldn't feel bad about my purchases ..riiiight??

ALSO! check out milo b's feather collection!! i want to create your own unique feather adornments friends!

earrings i created!

<------------------------------color options

xo 

miss the thrill of the find...

in the beginning weeks of my 'apparel diet' i have felt this project as necessary, inducing positive feelings both economically + environmentally. after spending 4 hours reorganizing both walk ins, releaving a chaise chair from clothing pile up captivity, and giving home to various apparel items on free standing garment racks, it was for certain.. i have collected quite a wardrobe. the worst feeling is when you see something with its tags, or an item you totally forgot about. it felt good to finally have everything on 'display'.

this morning i woke up, folding a shopping bag mom used to drop off fashion mags (double torture..bag and mag??) and felt a sense of loss. so weird, bare with me.. apparel consumption to me is more than just need or want. i thoroughly enjoy 'finding' a special item, 'styling' myself for events or seasons. my average $100 weekly apparel habits had more to do with the love of expression apparel gives us. your style is the first thing people notice when you walk into a room. i love the thrill of scouring different retailers to find what pieces feel represent me: my interest and love of the 70s, classic shades, accessory obsession, etc.

i am missing the thrill this morning, but know for the sake of research this is necessary...day 24

apparel diet

well, as of SEPT 1, 2011 I decided to take part on a personal experiment: an apparel diet.
Part of my experience in Graduate School is writing a thesis. To be brutally honest, apparel and the word thesis/research/academia/theory ( in my opinion ) don't go together. Unless you are discussing topics of consumer behavior - why we purchase the products we purchase, what kind of image we are attempting to set for ourselves.. etc.

I have excellent mentors in my program, ones that are very on trend in their thinking of the future when it comes to the apparel industry. Discussusions with them and countless hours of reading various journals, trade magazines, etc.. I have decided to focus on generation Y (those born after 1980) their spending habits and addiction to FAST FASHION. who doesn't love going into H&M, spending $300 and coming out with a whole season worth of closet material!

I calculated all my spending from Jan 2011 to Sept 2011 and realized I was spending money (and lots of it) each week on apparel and its related items. Not only was a I spending money that could be put away into a savings account (or towards the purchase of my princess mattress I hope to be sleeping on SOON), but I was also being very wasteful to my environment. It has been an amazing experience so far .. ususally if I can't find something to wear out of my TWO WALK IN CLOSETS and 2 FREE STANDING clothing racks, I would just go out and buy something! With this being day 20.. I have been finding things in my closet(s) that I forgot I had.. finding items that I can tweak. For instance.. I really really really really want the NEW fedora hat trend.. you know, the one with the feather and the gorgeous trim?? Well, I have 3 different fedora hats and only wear ONE. I took one of the virgin fedora hats, found some ribbion lying around, a few feathers (from my milo b jewelry stash) and fashioned a NEW on trend fedora! (picture will be posted soon).

Today I am wearing a necklace I created using my grandma's vintage fabrics from the 60s-70s..

To me, this is a time to experiment (for the sake of research and desire in being an eco chic fashionista) with repurposing, making less waste, all while still holding on to my love of creativitiy + apparel + invdividuality.

wish. me. luck.

xo

Saturday 9-3 pm!! join milo b jewels!!

stop by anytime between 9-3pm to visit your favorite blo/no businesses on kripy kreme drive AND take a peak at NEW milo b adornments!! lots of exciting, unique new pieces for YOU !! check out facebook for more details

http://www.facebook.com/milobjewelry

xo

TRUNK SHOW!! WEDNESDAY 9/7 at BLUELINE!!

STOP BY 6-9pm at Blueline in Downtown Bloomington!! Bring your unwanted FAUX leather handbag for donation to receive $5 OFF your milo b purchase!!

Hope to see you there !