Rockin' the Red Pump

We urge all bloggers and everyone to join us in the Rock the Red Pump campaign this year.  They are now in their 4th year and have made incredible strides in raising awareness for Women and Girls affected by HIV/AIDS.

The Red Pump Project  raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. Our mission is to promote HIV prevention through education, and open dialogue about the issues that surround sexual and reproductive health. We do work online and on the ground to motivate action and encourage dialogue about the effects of the disease.

Founded in March 2009 by Luvvie Ajayi and Karyn Watkins, Red Pump believes that if HIV affects one, it affects us all. We use the red shoe as a symbol of empowerment to represent the strength and courage of women infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The incorporation of fashion into the message of HIV prevention is our contribution as we hope to show that Awareness is Always in Style!™. 

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is March 10th every year, and there’s a whole lot of talking and educating happening all over the country in honor. That’s how The Red Pump Project was born… Out of our desire to get conversation started on the issue of HIV/AIDS and ask others to do the same. So we put out a call for bloggers to “Rock the Red Pump™.”(thanks ladies for letting me borrow from your web site :)

Here's how YOU can help too:

•  Sign up to "Rock the Red Pump" and embed one of our five custom badges in the sidebar of your website and/or blog.
• Dedicate a post to the important issue of HIV/AIDS and women on March 9, 2012 (We're choosing to paint blogosphere FIERCE on this day because March 10 is a Saturday this year). Need some statistics to get started? Check out our HIV/AIDS 101 page.
• Participate in our weekly #RedPumpDiaries Twitter discussions on a variety of important sexual health topics
• Snap a photo in your favorite pair of red shoes and share with us via our Facebook page, Twitter, and/or Tumblr.
• Spread the word and tell a friend!

So don't wait and SIGN UP today and help spread the word about this wonderful organization. 

Live life well and ENJOY!!

Julia

ERAS by ADSH - Launched

As some of you may or may not know we have launched a vintage subsidiary of our company called ERAS by ADSH.  This is an exciting venture for us because we love to mix unexpected pieces and find hidden fashion treasures in our city and beyond. 

ERAS by ADSH began after an amazingly lucky thrifting day.  The more we found the more we knew we had to share it with everyone.  There are pieces that just CANNOT be left and they must be shared.  We found all shapes, sizes, fabrics, colors, and ERAS - hence our name!!  One thing that sets us a part from the rest is that we choose only the best most high quality vintage pieces (with some brand new up to date items thrown in because we just couldn't resist).  If there is something that needs fixed to make it perfect again then we fix it.  We take pride in selling quality products and customer service is #1!!

We also come across items that were made in huge design houses and also some little known ones and try to resurrect the piece so it is relevant today.  The best reward is following our pieces to galas, proms, corporate offices, museum openings, and onto the streets of America and internationally. 

There are always new and exciting items arriving so be sure to check back frequently to see how we do on our buying days - so much fun!  Also we welcome your feedback and we take special requests.  This means that if you are looking for something special we are more than happy to go out and try and find the best items to suit you.  We will choose several options for you and from those we hope you find "the one". 

Try something new (or old but new again!) and mix and match vintage with modern to propel your personal style to that next level.

Oh, find us on FACEBOOK too!

Until Then:  " 'What will they think of me?" must be put aside for bliss."  - Joseph Campbell

Spring Showcase 2012

The Aesthetic Design Style House Spring Showcase 2012 took place on December 10, 2011.  This was an "industry only" event and invitees were fashion professionals with credentials. 

  

A showcase differs from a fashion show and that is fact #1.  A showcase is just that - an event to "showcase" designers and their collections for buyers to purchase.  It is an up close and personal way for fashion professionals to buy in a setting conducive to finding items for their organizations that fit their clients best.  This way one is able to inspect craftsmanship, feel fabric, and get a first-hand impression of the designer and their collection.  Models are placed strategically throughout the space and are expected to know who they are wearing and a bit about the piece they have been lucky enough to be chosen to wear. 

 A Fashion show usually involves a runway presentation and has a short time frame for which the show begins and ends.  Models are sent walking down a catwalk (in one aspect or another) and are used as a "hanger" for the collection in which they are showing.  Attendees are lined up usually 2 to 3 rows deep along the edge of the runway or catwalk.  There are media, buyers, and fashion professionals in the audience along with moms, dads, friends, family, etc.  You hope you are able to catch the attention of one of the aforementioned fashion professionals in order to get your collection into the hands of the right store or stores.  There is no up close and personal unless you have been invited backstage before the models run out of the clothes. 

We carefully chose the showcase option because independent fashion has more to prove, unfortunately.  Meaning we have to work harder to show that we are just as good (or in some cases BETTER) than large world renowned fashion houses.  Showing someone quality is always better than telling them about it.  They must be able to see for themselves and that is exactly what a showcase is able to do. 

Now, we are headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and this whole showcase thing was baffling to some.  Even the models were a little confused as to what we were doing and what we were trying to attain.  Once the "waiting game" and the hair/make-up portion was over everything came together and the vision came to life.  Now, a showcase isn't as action packed (at times) as a runway show so for some they aren't sure how to act or interact for that matter.  A showcase is all about business and there is one main purpose that one attends - to buy new collections for their organization.  There are all sorts of ways to present a showcase and we have learned so much from our first one.  They can be fun but keep in mind we do this for the business side of fashion.

Don't get me wrong - I am a sucker for a good runway presentation.  They are fantastic and they have their place in the industry.  However, the showcase has it's place but doesn't get enough credit for all it accomplishes.

We were lucky enough to have some amazing people who believed in us and what we were trying to do:  Peachtree Hotel Group, Barr Display, LModelz, Halakar Property Management, Angiee's Kitchen, Little Independent, PATTERN, Re-Creations by Christopher Thompson, Anna Ziemniak Photography, Marceli Chase Photography, and Karen Stewart Works.  These individuals and organizations worked hard to help promote and also lend their vision to our event and to them we are undoubtedly grateful!!

And of course we have the GREATEST team on the planet who helped to pull it all off as well.  Believe me we all had our own separate small breakdowns at one point or another in the planning process but we brought it all together in the end - that's what a great team does :)

This was a learning process and we are so excited how it all turned out.  We truly were blessed with fantastic press and exposure for our designers.  On top of that we had many orders and at the end of the day that was the goal!!

Stay tuned for FW12 and be looking for your invite ~

Until then:  "When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained."- Mark Twain

Goodwill for Goodwill ~

The newest member of the ADSH Team is Amber Coryell.  Please welcome her first post for our blog:)

 

How many of you love to spend less and get more?  Yes, I am definitely one of those people who love to get a bang for my buck and I especially love the Goodwill!

I have been shopping at the Goodwill for years and come to find out I am now not the only one!  Goodwill used to be the fun place to go with grandma to try on the most ridiculous outfits you could find, but now it is out with the old and in with new.

Recent articles that I have stumbled upon have stated that now, more than ever, the ratio of retail customers has risen 56% in the past three years. The people who have been donors in the past are now Goodwill’s greatest shoppers. 

Not only has the recession helped Goodwill’s success, but the enhancements to their ad campaign for the store have created a fashionable look for shoppers. Goodwill is now able to offer some name brands and some of the newest trends -  the hunt is just a bonus.

If you are in Central Indiana Goodwill has launched a new boutique store concept located at 422 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47408 called Vintage Vogue at GW.  It is a first of its kind and has had an incredible outpouring of support.  Here is their mission statement :  "Brace yourself for a brand new shopping concept with the opening of Vintage Vogue by GW. A boutique brand of Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Vintage Vogue offers a unique blend of chic, modern fashions and one-of-a-kind classics. The merchandise for Vintage Vogue is made possible by the generous donors in central Indiana.  With the support of retail shoppers and donors, revenues generated from Vintage Vogue and all the other Goodwill retail locations help fund employment and educational services in central Indiana for young people and adults.

Goodwill now has its own blog to learn about and comment on the new trends! 

I am a dedicated goodwill shopper and it now more fun than ever!

Enjoy !

- AMBER

Ready, Set, Holiday Cheer

As we roll into the holiday season, yet again, we know you are inundated with choices on how to spend your money.  If we may, we have a great suggestion.  Of course, we encourage "an independent fashion revolution" which means supporting small businesses and all independent fashion and accessories.  When you support that you are supporting and helping to launch careers - not just hobbies!

We happen to have friends in high places and are excited to share this wonderful helper, The Gift Giving Advisory Board's Holiday Gift Guide 2011, for your conscious shopping pleasure!  Thank you, Liz of Wickedly Chic, for letting us share this beautiful gift guide :)

Here are just a few items within ~

Until Then:  "The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it."  - Richard Bach