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

Reflection: Race Relations in the Indianapolis Fashion Industry

Indianapolis is one of the most segregated cities in the Midwest. I've come to terms with that...really I have. I grew up in a world where there was no color. People gasped at me when I brought a white man home to visit my family. What did your family say? Say about what?!?! Well....you know about Jason being white? Umm...my family didn't say anything. I don't think they even noticed. I've been in love with every race there is...I'm an equal opportunity lover. (I haven't dated an Asian though, need to fill that void...no really just kidding!) And it's not that I'm naive about race, hatred, and exclusion; it's out there and it's stronger than ever. I just try not to let it rule my life.

This time last year, I decided to follow a dream of mine and work in the fashion industry here in Indianapolis. I didn't know much about our fashion scene, but I knew one was out there. So I started researching to see where I would fit in. I have met so many new and exciting people since I've started to surface among the scene. Too many people to name...but you know who your are. I've also learned of many catty fights and division in the ranks. What do you expect? It is fashion...the mother of all cattiness, but I didn't expect any racial division. I don't know why, it's Indianapolis.

In Indianapolis, we have the black clubs and the white clubs...black stores and the white stores...black salons and white salons. Now don't get me wrong...there are some people of both races that break the mold. They don't follow the status quo and visit places that cater toward the opposite race. But the fashion industry....really?

I saw on Facebook last week a boycott against Midwest Fashion Week because it's founder, a Haitian male has been accused of purposely not promoting African American models and/or designers, because he's ashamed of his African heritage. I was floored, because this same issue was on the tongues of some when the Indianapolis Fashion Collective started. Many people said the organization was full of elitist and didn't want to particpate because they saw no representation of color within the ranks or there was no representation from IFC at the "black" fashion events. STOP PEOPLE!

Are people being too touchy? Are people looking for something to bitch about or does the Indianapolis fashion industry have a problem with color? I think certain people do, we cannot change the ignorance of those who choose to walk down a path of intolerance. But what we can do is support each other, whether that person, model, designer, photographer, or corporation is black or white or any other ethnicity or creed. Let's stop focusing on and fueling the color line, but lets step over it. Because Indianapolis is filled with talent from all sides; just think if we truly all came together and worked on making Indy the new fashion hub of the Midwest. We would be unstoppable.

 

 

~Janelle

ADSH Promo Shoot - COMPLETE

Back on a hot hot hot day in August of 2011 the Aesthetic Design Style House team took on the task of directing, producing, styling, make-up (ing), and hair do (ing) out own Photo Shoot.  With the AMAZING vision of Anna Ziemniak behind the lens it all fell together beautifully!  The shoot was relaxed and we just let it all flow which I believe made it as awesome as it was. 

Janelle Cissell and I worked on the direction part and also filled in as Hair Stylist and MUA.  We had Sasha Greene and KathRyn Lou as models with Mallory Thomas joining us in a pinch toward the end.  Amber Fitzgerald and Mallory Thomas (our summer interns) had the opportunity to style our shoot for up close experience. 

The final edits are complete so enjoy :)

Now Interning . . .

We are happy to announce our newest intern here at Aesthetic Design Style House - Amber Coryell!

I'm going to let her tell you a little more about herself in her own words.  Take it away Amber!

Hello, my name is Amber Coryell and I am 23 years old.  Since I have been old enough to care what my clothes looked like I have been crazy about fashion.  I love mixing and matching and making things my own and I wanted to make that my career.

 I took up the hobby of sewing when I was in high school because I wanted to learn how to make my ideas into reality.  I love the idea of taking something so simple, like fabric, and the outcome of it becoming something completely different.  In my free time I have made or modified many things and found myself jumping into many projects just for the learning and experience. 

When I went into my last years of high school I did a lot of research to learn about how to follow my dreams in this field and I learned not only is it going to take a lot of time and determination but, a lot of money.  Art school was not cheap, so I decided to go to school to get my business degree.  I decided to get this degree not only because it could help me gain more knowledge in the business aspect, but help me get a better job to pay for the school I really wanted to go to. 

I have received my degree and I am in the process of transition, but in doing so I thought about trying to gain more knowledge about the fashion industry.  I decided I wanted to do this before I start school again so I could go in with a little more insight on both sides.  I was not sure how I was going to do this without any experience or an art degree under my belt, but I was determined so I just started emailing businesses, companies, stores, anything I could to see if they would let me intern.  In doing so I finally got the response I was hoping for and I am so excited to have gotten this chance!! I cannot wait to get started!