Fashion: We’re not saving lives here…or are we?

August 14th, 2010 → 10:00 am @


love in fabric

The September Issue, a documentary following Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, left an impression on me. Perhaps the most compelling moment of the movie was when Ms. Wintour discussed how her family members were all doctors, lawyers, etc. and didn’t quite grasp the importance of her job. Growing up I always had grandeur ideas of helping people – whether it be becoming a genetic engineer who discovered how to feed the world or a journalist whose mission was to expose the deepest truths of life. So, when I decided to follow my true passion (a small business retail owner and blogger) I felt like I abandoned a part of my “call”; that I no longer was doing something of importance beyond my own satisfaction.

I started contemplating ways that I could turn what I loved into something that would benefit others. I knew part of my blog’s objective was to help people embrace themselves and feel beautiful in their own skin through tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. I love to encourage and love on people – it’s a true joy seeing people’s confidence soar when they realize how lovely they really are. I also have a heart for people who can’t afford to pour out money into their wardrobes. Put all of these things together, and I’ve realized that fashion coupled with love (as corny as that sounds) really has the ability to impact people’s lives. When your self image is a positive, it changes the way you see and interact in the world. So, my new mission is to provide people with the ability to dress well that’s cost effective, and in turn watch them blossom through acceptance, both self and external.

Thursday was my first in-person experience of this. As I briefly touched on in my previous post, my church put together a giant clothing donation for the local foster kids (ages 13-17). I was given a budget to spend on new clothes and bought up a ton of cute stuff, and many of our church members donated bags and bags full of gently used items. We set up the clothes boutique style and invited the kids out to choose whatever they liked. We provided pizza, veggie platters, turkey wraps, etc., had hair, makeup, and manicure stations (manned by professional volunteers) and had a blast hanging out with the kids. I was asked to go around and offer style advice and just to make them feel loved. It was one of the most rewarding days of my life thus far.

some amazing girls working the tables at swap my style

the accessories crew

grab and go style

fashionista on a mission

One thing I’ll never forget was the “style challenge” we put on. Four different kids put together outfits on a mannequin to be judged by myself to possibly win a gift card to Old Navy (who by the way is an AMAZING company – they hooked us up so much). I went around asking each contestant why they thought they should win. Nearly all of them said something to the effect of fashion was one of the few ways they can express themselves – when things aren’t going well, they style. Guh. I nearly lost it.

So, I suppose today’s advice is two part. First off, for those of us who are in fashion and design, remember that you can have an impact on people’s lives. What we do is important – we have the ability to help people feel confident, beautiful, accepted. Also recognize that we have the power to do the complete opposite, to cause exclusivity, self-consciousness, and rejection. Secondly, I want to encourage all of us to encourage one another, share a kind word, and build each other up. If there is anything I’ve learned, it’s that you never know who needed that simple word of appreciation to get them through the day.  

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