From All of Us to All of You

Our focus all year long is to get our designers into boutiques and into the hands of shoppers around the world.  That's our goal. We've achieved, we've met halfway, and we've fallen short - it happens and we've learned from it all. 

We could not do what we do without you and all you do for Aesthetic Design Style all year long.  From the referrals to the facebook "likes" to the retweets we appreciate each and every acknowledgment that we are on the right path with what we are most passionate about.  We work so hard behind the scenes and to see things coming to fruition is simply the best gift we could ever hope to get.

This time of year it's so easy to get caught up in what someone else has or thinking we NEED so many things to make us happy.  The holidays are a nice time to sit back and re-evaluate where we are in our lives and what is most important to us.  Take the time to just STOP and realize what you have and appreciate each and every moment with the special people in your lives. 

Know how much we appreciate you and your support of us and all of our designers.  We look forward to working with many of you and bringing you the best and brightest in 2011.

Warm Holiday Wishes,
Julia, Janelle, and Alyssa

Hurrah for Indianapolis: Number Five in the Top 25 Shopping Cities

Forbes Magazine released an article featuring it's top 25 best shopping cities last week. Indianapolis ranked fifth on the list, beating major metropolitan areas like New York and Chicago. Perhaps the rest of the country sees the prize us fellow Hoosiers ignore. According to Forbes, Indianapolis houses 5,955 retail locations and 18 shopping centers. Add on the seven percent sales tax, and Indianapolis is considered a major jewel in the retail economy.

But what makes Indianapolis so great? Is it our big box retailing or our independent and local shopping finds? There are many local retailers, within the Indianapolis and surrounding areas, that offer better selection, price and quality than its mainstream counterparts. We couldn't feature all of them, but here are a few gems that can't go unoticed.

Fountain Square: IndySwank (photo pulled from IndySwank FB page) Journey down Virginia Avenue and you find the Fountain Square district. In the heart of Fountain Square you can find one of the creme de la creme of  vintage boutiques, IndySwank. IndySwank features vintage items and handcrafted works from many of Indianapolis' fashion designers. IndySwank's address is 1043 Virginia Ave #4 here in Indianapolis.

Castleton: Butterfly Consignment (photo pulled from Butterfly Consignment's Facebook page) Butterfly has been opened for a year, but has already made its mark on retail here in the Circle City. The shop sells gently used, new and handmade goods. It's your one stop shop for clothing, jewelry and body care items. Butterfly Consignment is located on 6697 E. 82nd St. in the Castleton Village Shopping Plaza.

Broad Ripple: Rain Boutique (photo pulled from Rain Boutique's FB page) Rain Boutique is a place where California and Indianapolis meet. Owned by two longtime friends, Mesha Cabbell and Brittany Manning, the store specializes in denim, handbags, standard and plus size clothing. Rain opened up a second store in California in December 2009. Rain is located at 839 E. Westfield Blvd in the heart of Broad Ripple.

Downtown: Silver in the City (photo pulled from Silver in the City's website) On Massachusetts Avenue you will find a gift store that will WOW your senses. Open since 2000, Silver in the City was voted best local gift store four times. It shares space with its sister store, Home in the City. You can't walk out of this store empty handed. Silver and Home in the City is located at 434 Massachusetts Ave in Downtown Indianapolis.


Let's try to push Indianapolis to number one on Forbes' list next year. Make sure you support your local boutiques too.

Meet the Team

We have recently acquired some new members to our Aesthetic Design Style family.  This time they aren't on the designer side (though one is an AMAZING designer and I hope she'll join us in that capacity too) but the business side of what we do.  I thought an introduction was in order and a short interview with both would give you a small view into their worlds and why they are such a good fit for us.  So without further ado please MEET ALYSSA AND JANELLE ~


Alyssa, a native of Fowler, Indiana., is a senior at the Art Institute of Indianapolis majoring in fashion design. Not only does she intern for Aesthetic Design Style, but she also works at the Pitaya boutique in Broad Ripple. Once Alyssa graduates, she wants to work for a fashion house or label while working on her own line.



Janelle, born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana is a junior at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) majoring in public relations. She runs a plus size fashion and lifestyle blog called Ruby Leonne. After graduation, Janelle plans to work freelance in fashion public relations.


Now for a little fun ~ We asked Alyssa and Janelle the same questions and here are their answers ~

 1. Why independent fashion instead of mainstream fashion?

      Alyssa:  "I worked in retail for 3 years and I loved it at first then they started enforcing rule after rule so I  started hating the corporate world " 

Janelle:  "There are so many independent designers out there more worthy of praise then its mainstream counterparts. Independent designers are in touch with their audience. They see trends from the street first and play with those trends. Independent designers are under the radar, so they can experiment with silhouettes and fabrics. They don’t sway their aesthetic because of money. They stay true to their true love…fashion.

2. Tell us about your “aha” moment when you finally knew what you wanted to do with your life?

Alyssa:  "I worked at Joann Fabrics for three years and helped so many people pick out fabric and trims and even help them with their sewing questions.  Seeing how excited they were about there project made me excited and want to make things that made other people happy."

Janelle:  "It’s a funny story. I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer, but I can’t sew or draw. In college, my initial major was journalism. Newspapers started shifting their dailies and merging with larger corporations, and good journalists were losing their jobs. One day I was watching one of my favorite television shows, Absolutely Fabulous. The main character, Edwina, is a publicist that dealt with celebrity, music and fashion. Just like that, I knew that is what I wanted to do. I changed my major to public relations immediately.

3. City or Suburbs?

Alyssa:  "City all the way"

Janelle:  "I’m definitely a city girl. I need the police station, hospital, ethnic hair salon and soul food/dive restaurant to be no more than 10 minutes from my house."

4. Favorite ADS Designer so far?

Alyssa:  "I cant choose one. I know and see all the dedication and see beauty in everything they make."

Janelle:  "Catou by Berny Martin. His looks are classic. His tailoring is flawless. His pieces are timeless and remind me of another Indiana designer, Bill Blass."

5. Your fashion story – how did you become obsessed?

Alyssa:  "Growing up in the country fashion didn't really matter to much. People never were seen wearing Gucci sunglasses while moving miles of grass that we called our backyard. But growing up I was always playing dress up and loved all the fabrics and colors. I never followed trends and always had my own style. No matter how much the kids made fun of me I wore what I liked and what I thought was trendy. I took a sewing class in school and found out how good I really was at sewing and life took off from there."

Janelle:  "I’m a child of the 80’s. Fashion and self expression was HUGE then. The 80’s were a period when street fashion set the guidelines for what the couture houses would construct. I remember watching Elsa Klentch’s “Style” with my mother and sister. My sister wanted to be a model and I wanted to be a designer. We would rule the fashion empire with our super fashion powers."

6. If you were a piece of vintage clothing what era would you be from and what piece of clothing would you be?

Alyssa:  "Eighties Punk! I love all the colors and the grungy leather. I would be an off the shoulder t-shirt its simple but sexy. It never goes out of style."

Janelle:  "1950’s black tea length evening dress or Audrey Hepburn’s signature black “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” dress. I look at my elder family member’s vintage photos all the time. Women dressed back then. They put on gloves to go to the store. We’re lazy now. Heck…I’m lazy."

7. Clutch or Messenger?

Alyssa:  "Messenger! I have too much stuff for a clutch. I'm always on the go."

Janelle:  "Both…depends on the outfit. If it is a formal event, I would carry a clutch. For everyday outings, I’d carry a messenger.

8. Why pursue a career in fashion in Indiana?

Alyssa:  "My family is here to support me. And I like the challenge."

Janelle:  "There was a time I hated Indianapolis and I wanted to leave. I had the option to move twice, but I never did. Just recently I was convinced that Indianapolis will be my home for good. I established a life; there is no reason for me to leave any longer. The fashion citizens of Indianapolis are making an effort in increasing fashion awareness here in Indianapolis. I want to help build the fashion community from the ground up."

9. Coco Chanel or Elsa Schiaparelli?

Alyssa:  "Coco she is classy and sophisticated."

Janelle:  "Chanel. Yes Chanel was the mother of women’s sportswear, but she was more than that. She came from nothing and grew against all odds and became one of the most revered women of all time."

10. If we polled all of your friends what would be one word they would use to describe you?

Alyssa:  "Quirky"

Janelle:  "Just one word…WOW…mmm…unconventional.

11. How long have you lived in Indianapolis?

Alyssa:  "Year and a few months"

Janelle:  "32 years…all my life."

12. Since so many of our meetings are held at Starbucks what is your favorite gourmet beverage?

Alyssa:  "Actually I hate coffee! It's just a good place for business meetings."

Janelle:   "Java Chip. Starbucks is made from holy hands; that’s why it’s addicting."

13. Where do you the Indianapolis fashion industry in 5 years?

Alyssa:  "I see it being more recognized by people. And I hope to see more designers coming out of the woodwork!"

Janelle:  "Indianapolis is a growing city. I hope within five years the city becomes a mecca of Midwest fashion. One day when someone refers to American fashion, Indianapolis will be mentioned with the main cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami."

14. How in the world did you find us and what attracted you (besides our amazing designers, our sparkling personality, and our bright smile)?

Alyssa:  "I heard about you through school and I decided to do some research before I contacted you in the hope of a job! It all worked out according to plan."

Janelle:  "I found ADS on twitter and looked at the website to find out what the company did. I thought it would be a great experience to work with such a company. Once I met Julia, I was on board. I hope to grow with ADS and its clients."

15. How do you want to save the world?

Alyssa:  "The world cant be saved! But i can try to at least make the people living in it look good!"

Janelle:  "If everyone learns to love and take stock in themselves, I think the world would be a happier place. There are so many unhappy people out here; pulling everyone else down into their darkness. When people look in the mirror and like what they see, it builds their esteem and increases the love they have for themselves.  I want to help people like what they see when they look in the mirror. That’s kind of a Miss America answer…" (we like it :)

Believe me, we are the lucky ones - to have women who not only are empowered themselves but who also are in this world to help and empower others is simply a sight of grace.  There is nothing that stands in our way so watch for us in 2011 - we will be a force to be reckoned with! 

Until Then:  "Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman

Shopping Independently for the Holidays



Wickedly Chic - Cortese Design Bags



And so it begins . . .

Holiday shopping is upon us and it's time to get out there and start shopping for those you love and maybe a few you're not too sure about but know you probably need to get something for :)  Just kidding - we all need to get into the holiday spirit and we at Aesthetic Design Style want to help make your shopping experience seamless and stress-less (not sure that's a word and if it's not then it should be).

The economy still sucks and people are losing jobs left and right - not to mention not being able to find a job or make the money you know you are worth.  I know it sounds meaningless to some when it comes to buying gifts while other people are hanging on to their homes by a thread.  Let us say that some of the very best gifts we've ever gotten or given have been the ones that are made from the heart so we all need to remember the reason for the holidays and what all of the celebrations are about. 



Wickedly Chic - Natural Clothing Co.



There are many ways to buy gifts for the people in your life that are special and don't break the bank.  That's what we're here to help you with this year.  Not only do we believe in our own very talented one of a kind designers but we've also run across some other AMAZING independent businesses who want to help your shopping endeavor as well.  These two businesses have some great selections for every person on your list and you can be assured that you'll be giving a gift from your heart while being frugal as well.  The fun part is that your gift recipient will think you spent a fortune but it will be our little secret! 



Wickedly Chic - Flipside Wallets



Wickedly Chic is one of our very favorite places to go online!  Liz Nonnemacher does an incredible job with this site and the meaning behind it.  Here's an overview of her site in her own words:  "Wickedly Chic is geared toward women (although there’s no reason why men can’t enjoy it too). The businesses that you see highlighted throughout our pages are independently owned. This means that big-box retailers (while they certainly have their place) are not our focus. Some of the businesses that you see featured carry handcrafted items and some of them are smaller shops which don’t create their own products but exist independently of a corporately-owned chain. One of the best things about Wickedly Chic is that no matter what the economic state of the world, you’ll rarely see items that cost more than $200.00. And if they do…I can assure you that they’re worth it…otherwise you wouldn’t see them here. This is a good thing….because let’s face it…the majority of us want excellent value from what we buy without breaking the bank. We like to treat ourselves without (too much) guilt. With Wickedly Chic, you’ll find a new array of items to check out (almost) every day, small businesses covered in depth every week, occasional giveaways, a different guest quarter column every week providing valuable info for both shoppers and business owners, a reader spotlight (with their personal shopping picks!) and much much more. Even if you feel as though you don’t have an extra dime to spend at the moment, the information here is free (and sometimes quite entertaining!)"

Don't miss Wickedly Chic's Holiday Gift Guide - it's jam packed full of great ideas for the season!



Green Eyed Monster - Organic Baby Shoes



This next business I stumbled upon when I was going from link to link to link one day and am so excited I did!  I signed up for their newsletter and I look forward to seeing the new stuff they have for me each morning.  Green Eyed Monster is my go to spot for new DIY ideas as well as a peek at some wonderful talent throughout the land.  A little background on how Green Eyed Monster® got started… (in their own words!)  "Ash and Kimmy are the sisters behind Green Eyed Monster® totes, an arty little biz bringing you the most unique reusable bags on the block. Given how much we enjoyed connecting with independent artists and designers through GEM, we thought we’d share the monster luv and bring these amazingly talented individuals together in one unique, handmade nook of the Interwebs!"



Green Eyed Monster - Hanukkah Bird Cards



Visit:  Inspiration:  Holiday Shopping 2010 on the Green Eyed Monster site for unique and fun gift ideas!

That's all from us for the moment - but don't worry we're busy getting our own holiday suggestions together for your viewing pleasure.  Don't go anywhere - we'll be back with our AMAZING picks for the holiday season.  Until then make sure you visit the fun businesses above and remember to HAVE FUN doing it!!

Until then: 
Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary. - Margaret Cousins



Green Eyed Monster - Give Cheer - Fabric Wrap





Blogging MIA - Project IMA

We've been "out of the blogging loop" for a while so we're back! 

So much has been happening and we have to be able to juggle all things fashion and blog at the same time (kind of along the lines of walking and chewing gum at the same time :)  So, here we go. 

Friday, October, 22nd was one of the BEST nights of fashion I've been able to witness here in old Indianapolis.  Project IMA - Fashion Unbound - the talent there pulled out all the stops and it was an amazing night to remember. THE TASK:  to create something phenomenal with recycled materials.  THE RESULT:  Out of this world!

Here are just a few pics from that awesome night and the talent that we have here - watch out world we're on our way up!!

Thank you Nikki Blaine for the WONDERFUL pics!!

Until Then:  "No great artist ever sees things as they are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."  - Oscar Wilde