WHAT I'M WEARING

COAT, Vintage Balmain Coat  |  JUMPER, Second-hand Roll neck |  DRESS UNDERNEATH, Split Dress from Asos Eco-Edit |  TIGHTS, Ethical Superstore  |  BOOTS, Etienne Aigner Boots I bought in 2003 

GET THE LOOK

COAT |  JUMPER/SWEATER |  DRESS OPTION 1 OR SKIRT OPTION |  DRESS OPTION 2 |  TIGHTS |  BOOTS OPTION 1 |  BOOTS OPTION 2

As with most of my ethical clothing, my dress and bag are made by initiatives that work towards helping disadvantaged women and children. The dress is by MAHAGUTHI, a brand that trains destitute women in Nepal, free of charge in weaving, sewing, knitting and literacy. In addition, it supports the education of the children of the women attending the programme.

 Stay tuned for the full post on Charleston, SC

I'm not a big fan of pink to be honest. I rarely wear the colour, with the exception of my pink Balenciaga heels which I could easily live in. However, as I was rearranging my closet (as you can tell I didn't get far as I get easily distracted), I found this vintage silk satin Valentino skirt preserved with the matching top in plastic way at the back, and hidden from the light. As I pulled the skirt out, I decided to mix with different shades of pink, to somewhat force me to be a bit more creative with the skirt, and came up with this combination.

I like mixing my conscious pieces with the ones I already owned that might not be so conscious. It is a great compromise between your regular highstreet stores and boutiques that carry ethical clothing and accessories. For example, this top was bought back in 2007 in Miami and the Balenciaga's were too big for its previous owner, so I bought them second-hand, but brand new (my gain).

All Photos by Kenrick Stevenson

Its about time I stop saying I'm a monochrome kinda gal. Yeah, I wear black and white, well mostly black, but sometimes I like to throw myself off the cliff with a loud colour. Funnily enough I have two vintage designer dresses in this very acid-neon-canary-make-your-mama-wanna-scream-and-your-eyes-wanna-bleed yellow.

The dress is a vintage Balmain I bought years ago in New York, and the shoes are vintage Fendi mules I found on US eBay. I am so in love with this ensemble. It reminds me of Studio 54, Samantha from Sex and the City, and a bit of Donatella Versace all rolled into one Asian-inspired dress. It's a bit of a "HELLO, I'm Here!" sort of dress that hugs every curve.

The shoes were actually what I meant to wear for my wedding, but they had not arrived in time for the Italian Ceremony, so I wore them to the US reception instead. I couldn't do this post without wearing these club kid sunglasses, which actually belonged to my Aunt Glory, but upon seeing them amongst her millions of accessories I just had to steal borrow them.

 All photos taken by the very talented Rapper, and my old school friend Kenrick Stevenson.

This outfit has a funny story behind it. For my hen do, and for everyday leading up to my nuptials, I wanted to wear white. Hmm...!! Think of it as a cleansing before I embarked on a new set of experiences, challenges, and memories. However, instead of stocking up on white in my past life, I was busy filling my closet with its opposite--black. I couldn't find anything I liked in white, and when I did, the garments were ridiculously expensive or ridiculously conscience crushing. EMERGENCY!!!!

Ring Ring...Syreetz, I need a dress and I need one NOW!!! Ok, well I asked a bit more politely, but my only option was to phone a friend, who I knew had white dresses. Syreetz sent me photos of options and I saw this beauty, which I thought I would give a go. As soon as I slipped this ASOS Bodycon Midi on, I knew this was it. 

Usually, Emma and I share our closets, and although we are far apart, we still do this. I have loads of her winter clothes, and she has....uuummmm....well, I have loads of her winter gear :-). It is a great way to extend your wardrobe with your besties or good friends.

Dress | ASOS Bodycon Midi swapped for the night with Syreeta for a Diane von Furstenberg Dress [similar here]

Jacket | Vintage Ostrich Feather Coat bought years ago in NYC Boutique

Bag | Vintage "Bible Purse" (as a Guyanese vendor once called it) from Scarlet Rage in Crouch End [similar here]

Shoes | Prada [very similar here, but perhaps look for vintage ones to match]

[All recommended items similar to what I am wearing are also ethical items]

As I stand with my legs spread wide apart, with rivulets of sweat migrating from my hind quarters to the floor of the glamorous Bargain Barn in Hughesville, MD, I realize that this is my rock bottom. My travels have lead my friend Rachel and me to this sweltering, dusty, rotted-out establishment in the middle of nowhere in search of glittering, sparkling, and glimmering treasures that I will ultimately transform into a one-of-a-kind heirloom.

The process of brooch hunting began about a month after I got engaged.  I had seen plenty of brooch bouquets on Pinterest and other DIY websites, and I was determined to create one for my wedding day.  I began recruiting everyone I knew - friends, parents and grandparents of friends, students, their families, etc. - to pick up any brooches they saw on sale for less than $5 apiece (pretty difficult for vintage, but not impossible).  My friends and their relatives really pulled through, and soon I had around 30 vintage brooches from yard sales, flea markets, eBay, and a particularly sentimental batch from a childhood friend’s grandmother with whom I had been very close.  When the brooch leads seemed to start drying up, I expanded my search to rings, and then when that went south I hit the jackpot: clip-on earrings.  Since almost no one wears them anymore, but grandmothers (and abuelas and yia yias) and their offspring have been unloading them at second hand stores in droves. 

Why did I choose the brooch bouquet?  Because I absolutely hate flowers!  Sometimes I can break into hives just being in the same room with them.  And I take issue with the mortality of flowers and their lack of usefulness when they ultimately expire (read Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz “A una rosa” and you will get the gist of my feelings). 

I was having lunch with my friend Bre in Soho, NY, catching up on each others' lives as we munched away on Mexican food a la Papatzul (delish). We came back to our love of fashion and how our shopping habits have changed since we last saw each other. For me, it was buying less, and more responsibly, whereas for Bre, it was shopping in Consignment stores. I had heard of Consignment stores, but had never ventured into one. I hate shopping, well shopping in large stores where comparisons between them and a jungle filled with warring animals always comes to mind, so I avoid large shops, and stick to quaint boutiques (or online shopping). However, Bre was adamant about me visiting one, especially for the Blog. She listed a view, and later on texted the names of some of the must visits. The majority were in East Village, so I took a wonder and was quite impressed. Jimmy Choos and Louboutins from $100, I spotted an amazing Trina Turk Mohair Coat for $185, and not to mention a pair of Chanel flats (not in my size) for $255. Whatever your style, the following Consignment Stores definitely cater for it. Consignment stores, are not like Charity Shops, as you the merchandise are usually bought off of customers, or have been traded in for something else. Hence, what follows is my review of my experiences in five (5) consignment stores I visited.

I've become a recent lover of Autumn (or Fall for my American cousins), and always been a lover of mixing prints. So it should be of no surprise to my friends that this outfit is a reflection of both these loves. In London, this outfit would still be appropriate for this time of year. In NYC, however, this outfit would definitely be one's ticket to the emergency room for pneumonia.

STACY'S OUTFIT: Blazer: Jil Sander | Leopard Jumper: Emma H.'s Charity Shop Find | White Shirt: Rag&Bone | Black Pleated Skirt: Saks Fifth Avenue [From my Mother's Archives] | Shoes: Prada [Off of Ebay]