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Neide Ambrosio aka Pretinha
Neide Ambrosio
In a time like ours when so many people are focused on sustainable lifestyles and products, it would only be natural for this practice to cross over into the fashion world. Neide Ambrosio is a designer working towards this assimilation; in partnership with National Geographic, this São Paulo native creates a wide variety of accessories from soda can tabs. After moving to Rio de Janeiro with her husband in pursuit of his music career, this retired teacher was completely removed from her home at the age of 65. She began collecting trash and cleaning locally; this environmental work lead to her to consider a new hobby; she knew how to crochet and thought, how can I use these pieces to create something amazing? She began to use beer can tabs on account of the fact that Brazilians consume them in excess and litter their empty cans on beaches, and got to work!
To create her pieces, she collects tabs from the cans that she finds and washes them thoroughly, removing all residues and impurities. After they are cleaned, she either uses their natural color or spray paints them for an added flair! Lastly, she crochets the pieces, bringing all of the tabs together to create a unique, cohesive accessory. Her bags are mostly lined with zipper pockets, and are great conversation pieces for any green fashion fanatic!
As her skills grew, so did her creativity; she claims that she had so many ideas that she was overwhelmed with wanted to create them all at once! As she designed more products and was encouraged to display them at local craft shows, her popularity began to grow. Novica, which is a company run by National Geographic set to promote the work of creatives, then came into contact with her and wanted to sell her products. She decided that she should partner with them and has been thriving in all aspects of life since. Her business began to bloom and her enthusiasm surrounding the partnership even encouraged her husband to help her in creating ideas for her pieces.
With her name now publicly known and her products sought after, she got to a place where should could offer employment to young girls from untrustworthy companies; she taught them her skills and feels privileged to be able to help others in need. Her designs have been seen all over the world from local fairs to the arms of Hollywood stars to the pages of Vogue! Her work for the environment offers great fulfillment while also being a creative outlet, allowing everyone involved to reap the benefits of her amazing creations! Head on over to our collection to get one of your own Neide Ambrosio designs to help both the Earth and your accessory closet!
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Sustainable Jewelry: Natural Stone Accessories
Sustainable Jewelry: Natural Stone Accessories
By Paige McKirahan
In the jewelry industry, we have been using gemstones and other types of stones for centuries as a way to add some va-va-voom to any piece. Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are just some of the types of naturally occurring stones that are extremely common in accessories and bejeweled pieces. But what about a more natural approach to this sparkly fascination?
Continuing with our conversation of sustainability, this discussion of naturally occurring stones is more so pointed towards those that are of the crystal variety; crystal stone jewelry has become increasingly more popular in the past decade as more people have begun to use them for their magical and healing properties. Their natural, rough look contrasts gems entirely and offers an element of eccentricity to any outfit.
Natural stone pieces are organic and go perfectly with our desire to purchase products that aren’t detrimental to our environment. They typically are not chemically treated and boast raw edges; this gives the pieces a true from-the-Earth feel and even if the stone’s rough appearance is smoothed, they still possess a magical aesthetic with more subdued undertones. Want to add a little bit of natural healing to your whimsical wardrobe? Check out our collections!
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Benefits of Buying Vintage and Secondhand Jewelry
Benefits of Buying Vintage and Secondhand Jewelry written by Morgan Watkins
With the rise of thrift shopping and selling apps like Depop and Poshmark, buying vintage has never been easier. The rising population of vintage shoppers continues to grow for a number of reasons, thanks to the beauty of older jewelry and the much more affordable price tags of secondhand items. What more is there to love about shopping vintage? Read on to find out!
Not to be mistaken with antique jewelry, which is characteristically defined as accessories that are at least one century old (some say 75+ years old), vintage jewelry is at least 20+ years old. Of course, vintage jewelry eventually becomes antique once it reaches that 100 year milestone, but for now, let’s talk about pieces that are under this timeframe. With vintage accessories, fashion lovers can add a classic, old fashion flair to an otherwise simple, contemporary look. While these pieces may be a few decades old, they’re still fresh enough to work with more modern styling without sticking out like an ancient, sore thumb.
One of the most important aspects to consider when shopping secondhand is the green factor. When you buy used jewelry or vintage items that have been pre-owned, you are not only building a fabulous accessory arsenal, but you’re also helping out the planet. Fast fashion, or fashion that is produced rapidly and in great quantities, is made cheaply for the sake of adhering to current trends. These items fall apart and go out of style faster than you can say “fast fashion”, which leads to tons and tons of fashion goods building up in our landfills every year.
According to Remake, 80% of discarded textiles end up in the landfill or incinerator, with just 20% actually being utilized or recycled. These goods can take around 200 painstaking years to actually break down, which makes it imperative that we, as consumers, begin adopting more responsible and resourceful ways of consuming fashion, starting with secondhand shopping.
Not only is buying secondhand jewelry better for the planet, but it’s also easier on your wallet. With fine jewelry like sterling silver necklaces and solid gold bracelets coming in at such massive price tags, jumping on pre-owned items of the same materials gives you way more bang for your buck while still giving consumers the opportunity to own pieces made with fabulous gemstones and precious metals. Vintage jewelry can be a bit pricey depending on where you’re shopping, but talkingfashion.net has plenty of affordable vintage deals to check out!
With today’s minimalistic, modern styling taking over, it’s hard to find unique jewelry that truly showcase individualistic personal style. Vintage pieces, however, offer up plenty of personality to electrify any look. Art Deco styles and theatrical accessories will help set any It Girl apart from the crowd with colorful palettes, geometric shapes and a chic, throwback aesthetic. But on a more sentimental note, owning an older piece with its own rich story allows fashionistas to carry a bit of history with them wherever they go. Vintage jewelry can be passed on from generation to generation, and as pieces become older, they become valuable, beloved family antiques.
From going green to saving green, vintage and secondhand jewelry options are perfect staples for a closet that is socially conscious and responsible. Unique pieces add a dash of individualism along with a glimpse into decades passed, creating looks that are timeless while still remaining on trend. If you’d like to hop on the vintage bandwagon, head over to talkingfashion.net to browse hundreds of classic accessories and styles, and feel free to help out the environment by consigning with us!
References:
McCarthy, Allison. “Are Our Clothes Doomed for the Landfill?” Remake, 22 Mar. 2018, http://remake.world/uncategorized/are-our-clothes-doomed-for-the-landfill/. Rizvi, Fauzia.
“The Difference between Antique & Vintage Jewelry ...anyone Know?”LinkedIn, 30 May 2016, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/difference-between-antique-vintage-jewelry-anyone-know-fauzia-rizvi/.
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The History of Sustainable Fashion
The History of Sustainable Fashion by Morgan Watkins
With our planet warming and our landfills piling up all across the globe, talks of sustainable living has made room for itself at the dinner table in fashion society. The ever-booming business of fast fashion and the consumer attitude of obsessive excess has projected fashion in a negative light with regards going green initiatives. But many brands and designers are putting their foot down for a future that is as eco-friendly as it is fabulous. Read on to learn about the origins of green fashion and how industry giants are working towards a better, cleaner future.Back in ancient times, civilizations relied entirely on natural materials to construct their clothing. Garments were commonly made of animal hides, skins, furs and bones in order to utilize every part of the creatures they hunted. Leaves and twigs were other resources widely used to clothe individuals, until the practice of weaving came around in Egypt around 3400 B.C. Since then, a multitude of fabrics have been created from both natural and synthetic goods. Common examples of natural fabrics would be cotton and silk, which are characteristically better for the environment as they are made from products that will likely break down over time. Even so, some of these fabrics are treated with harmful chemicals, making them toxic for the environment. Synthetic textiles, which were first introduced in the late 19th century, are harmful to the planet due to their resistance to decompose; think nylon, acrylic and polyester.
(Image from http://www.experience-ancient-egypt.com/ancient-egyptian-culture/ancient-egyptian-life/ ancient-egyptian-clothes)
So when did the production of clothing become an environmental hazard? Let’s jump into the late 18th century, where the sewing machine was invented and factories were popping up rapidly across the United States. Before the Industrial Revolution, and even the decades following, it was common for families to construct their own clothing, which meant smaller closets and less textile waste. But as strip malls and department stores took over the country by the 20th century, post-war consumers were hungry for fast fashion. Corporations fed this hunger, employing child laborers to work long hours and in horrid conditions to produce large quantities of clothes in a short amount of time. Even when labor laws regulated factory conditions, the demand for fashion was through the roof, so production continued to match its pace.
(Image from https://bellatory.com/fashion-industry/Ready-to-Wear-A-Short-History-of-the-Garment-In dustry)
But by the 1960s, things started to change. With political movements surrounding civil rights and anti-Vietnam protests, people began to pay attention to other world issues like pollution, deforestation and a variety of other matters revolving around the planet and its wellbeing. It’s this era that produced the phrase “tree huggers,” as the first Earth Day was celebrated in April of 1970. With the rise of eco-friendly consciousness came the rise of DIY fashion. Hippies began taking on patchworking as a major fashion statement, sewing paisley printed panels into the sides of their bellbottoms to create an extra dramatic flared shape. The act of revamping old clothes and making them new carried over for decades, as bedazzling and embroidering was in during the 80s, 90s and even early 2000s.
(Image from https://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/ag-adriano-goldschmied-angel-high-waist-flare-jeans- 11-years-patchwork-prod180770241)
More recently, designers like Stella McCartney have begun to pave the way for a future in fashion that is eco-friendly and ethical. The brand uses only sustainable fabrics which won’t harm the planet, or uses recycled materials to create fabulous garments and accessories. Not only that but McCartney’s collections are 100% vegan, so you don’t have to fret about the designer’s fashion impact on animals and their ecosystems. Going hand in hand with this initiative is Vancouver and Seattle’s Eco Fashion Week. Similar to all other Fashion Weeks we know and love, this forum features collections that are Earth-conscious and sustainable. Shows first started in Vancouver, B.C. in 2010, where spring collections were sent down the runway. Fall collections were showcased as the event expanded into Seattle, Washington in 2016. Since the birth of this momentous fashion movement, 150 designers have been represented within 12 editions.
(Image from hype beast.com/2018/10/stella-mccartney-spring-summer-2019-runway-paris-fashion-week)
So what can you do to lessen your carbon footprint via fashion? Shop secondhand! Buying vintage or thrifted goods keeps clothes in your closet and out of landfills and incinerators. And if you have pieces you’re considering trashing, stop for a second and decide whether or not the garment can be spruced up or repurposed. Patchwork is in! Just look to Ralph Lauren and Jeremy Scott’s Spring/Summer 2019 collections for inspiration. Or practice adding some delicate floral embroidery to spruce up a simple white tee. Otherwise, donate your clothing to those in need, take them to a thrift store, or sell secondhand with talkingfashion.net! Every step you take towards going green makes a world of difference, no matter how big or small.
(Image from https://www.buro247.my/instagram/ralphlauren/13518279)
References:
Atamian, Luna. “Sustainable Fashion Is the Next Fashionable Thing.” Huffington Post, 12 Sept. 2017, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sustainable-fashion-is-the-next-fashionable-thing_ us_59b7e84de4b08f6632c076f9.
Farra, Emily. “Stella McCartney Discusses How Sustainable Fashion Can Be Sexy—And ‘How Technology Can Save Us.’” Vogue, 12 Oct. 2017, https://www.vogue.com/article/vogue-forces-of-fashion-stella-mccartney-sustainable. Gonzalez, Nyelli. “A Brief History of Sustainable Fashion.” Triple Pundit, 19 Feb. 2015,https://www.triplepundit.com/special/sustainable-fashion-2014/brief-history-sustainable-f ashion/.
Loewe, Emma. “Meet The Sustainable Fabrics That Will Kick-Start Your Capsule Wardrobe.” Mbg Planet,https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-28720/meet-the-sustainable-fabrics-that-will-kickstar t-your-capsule-wardrobe.html.
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A Colorful Look into Dia de los Muertos
A Colorful Look into Día de los Muertos written by Morgan Watkins
Known far and wide as the Day of the Dead, Día de los Muertos celebrates death with joyous festivities, ceremonies at cemeteries, and tasty treats. It is a series of days that birthed not only a new way of understanding and appreciating death, but also vibrantly vivid fashion looks and glorious face painting masterpieces. But how did these styles and beauty looks come to fruition in the first place? And how has this holiday withstood the test of time? Read on to dive into the past and promising future of Día de los Muertos!
(Image from https://www.rebelsmarket.com/blog/posts/dia-de-los-muertos-the-history-and-fashion-of- day-of-the-dead)
Dating back a whopping 3,000 years, the Day of the Dead was initially a combination of Aztec ritual mixed with Catholicism. The holiday lasts from October 31st through November 2nd, celebrating the souls of loved ones who have passed. The souls of deceased children are said to come down from heaven on November 1st, while those of adults who’ve passed visit on the 2nd. While most cultures weep over the death of loved ones, the great Aztecs saw mourning as disrespectful towards the dead. Even when individuals would pass, they were still considered members of the community in Mexican cultures, and in that spirit, their souls would be celebrated instead of grieved over.
(Image from https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/29/living/dia-de-los-muertos-makeup-tradition-feat-irpt/ind ex.html)
On these days, families welcome close knit communities into their homes to chow down on some delicious eats around handmade altars, which are dedicated to lost loved ones. These altars are often decorated to the nines with a lovely assortment of flowers, lit candles, and colorful papel picado, or designs and murals sliced neatly into thin, tissue-like paper. Pan de muerto,or “the bread of the dead,” is also passed about before celebrating parties take to the cemetery to carry on with the festivities. Once there, friends and family enjoy each other's company while performing activities that the deceased enjoyed partaking in before their passings.
(Image from http://saintelizabethchurch.org/all-souls-altar-del-dia-de-los-muertos-mexico/)
Commonly associated with Día de los Muertos are, of course, the iconic skeletons and skulls, or calacas and calaveras. These symbols of death are characteristically glammed up in fancy suits and flowy dresses, styled exquisitely with bright, intricate designs painted onto the calaveras. The most popular image from Day of the Dead is political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada’s La Calavera Catrina, a female skeleton whose dazzling skull embellishments are frequently replicated on the faces of those celebrating the occasion. Día de los Muertos’ connection to skeletons and skulls sprouts from the phrase “Todos somos calaveras,” which translates to “We are all skeletons.” This motto takes the frightening edge off of the perception of death as something to be feared and portrays death as a natural part of life, and no matter who you are or what you may or may not have, we are all the same when we meet death.
(Image from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBnnI_NeaQo)
The Day of the Dead’s classic attire is just as extravagant and lively as the holiday’s festivities. Brightly hued suits and eye catching gowns are staple styles for those celebrating the occasion. These fancy silhouettes are paired with lace shawls, flower crowns and noise makers like shells, which are used to electrify crowds and rouse the dead. Face painting is a go-to fashion statement as well, and often mimics the beautifully designed face of La Calavera Catrina.
(Image fromhttp://museumca.org/event/20th-anniversary-days-dead-community-celebration)
Today, Día de los Muertos is widely celebrated all over the world in a myriad of ways. It’s not to be mistaken as some sort of “Mexican Halloween,” but rather appreciated as an occasion of spiritual significance, joy, and deep emotion. So even if you aren’t going all out with a colorful dress or skeletal makeup, be mindful of the beauty of this holiday and the peace it brings to Mexican communities and other individuals across the globe.
References:
Grace, Emily. “Dia De Los Muertos: The History and Fashion of Day of the Dead.” Rebels Market, 29 June 2018, https://www.rebelsmarket.com/blog/posts/dia-de-los-muertos-the-history-and-fashion-of- day-of-the-dead.
Ward, Logan. “Top 10 Things to Know about the Day of the Dead We’ve All Heard about the Day O.” National Geographic, 26 Oct. 2017,https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/mexico/top -ten-day-of-dead-mexico/.
