This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode and I will be discussing personal style as well as tips to cleaning out your closet and the energy of the clothing we wear.

Whether you are a fashion-loving baddie or a creature of comfort, you can curate your personal style in a way that works for you, and it starts with your closet and making space.

“If you want to improve your life immediately, clean out a closet. Often it’s what we hold onto that holds us back.” ~ Everything.Aligns 

Here are my go-to moves when it comes to using my clothing to help express who I am or what I am feeling. Remember, clothing is supposed to be fun! Dressing up our human suit is a form of play.

Show Notes:

• Don't be afraid to let your clothing evolve with you
• Clothing can have a lot of emotion attached to it, that’s ok
• Remember, vibes are real. Energy is vibration and everything is energy
• Style muses are not meant to be someone you compare yourself to
• How much a fashion brand produces matters
• When you don’t have clothing that feels like you, you’re always going to have a closet full of nothing to wear

Handles:
@sustainably_lb

Links:
Making Space - https://www.elephantjournal.com/2023/01/making-space-tips-to-cleaning-out-your-closet-defining-your-personal-style/
Waste Colonialism -  https://remake.world/stories/what-is-waste-colonization/

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Logo:
Meadow Hearn
Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Heather Hooton. Heather is a Photographer and alongside her husband Jameson, makes up one half of a husband and wife photographer duo based here in Omaha. While photography is her passion and trade, it feels so limiting to define her by her photography alone. She is a true creative at heart finding inspiration from the collaborations her career fosters and welcomes the perspective that it brings.  

Heather has an unmistakable presence which is reflected in her unique sense of style. And I am so honored that I got the chance to chat with her and glean all the juicy knowledge that has allowed her to curate such a recognizable vibe.

One of us is never going to be as smart as all of us and what a blessing that is. There is such beauty in not knowing. So lean in and start collaborating. 

Show Notes:

• Have the confidence to say you don’t know
• Creating with others allows you to become more creative
• Learn the fashion guidelines so you can break them with intention
• Choose who you take fashion advice from wisely
• Perspective matters and that is one of the reasons why inclusion is so import
• It takes all kinds, everyone has something to contribute

Handles:
Instagram:
@heather_hooton
@heatherandjameson
@hootonimages
@facfashionguild

Links:
http://www.heatherandjameson.com
https://fashionartscollective.org/about-fg
https://fashionartscollective.org

Events:
Omaha Fashion Week - Shop the Runway
at the Omaha Design Center
Sunday 02-26-23 
11am - 2pm

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Creative:
Lauren Bates
Logo:
Meadow Hearn

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to share space with Lyssie Ropp Designer and Creator of Ruthlyss. Ruthlyss is Lyssie’s outlet for all things sustainable fashion & up-cycled designs. But she doesn’t stop there, a key component to her creating this space is meeting people wherever they are on their sewing journey by getting back to the basics. 

Lyssie started carving out this inspiring space from her own desire to get back to her creative roots in fashion, design and costumes. I am always in awe of people who not only see a need and fill a need, but who really come full circle and fall back in love with what lit them up in the first place. 

I am so honored that I got the chance to sit with Lyssie and discuss designers, where to find inspiration and being a content creator as well as calling out the fashion industry and doing what we can with what we have. We might not always think that there are actions that we can take against these behemoth fashion brands, but we always have power, even if it feels like a whisper compared to all the noise brands and influencers make. Because where there is a will, there is a way. 

I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed our conversation. So, let's get to it. 

Show Notes:

• Your creative expression is yours and yours alone
• Instead of asking “will they like what I am wearing” ask yourself if you like what you’re wearing
• Making a bigger table
• Resting is productive
• Community that uplifts rather than shames is how we create an inclusive space
• Just because you have fast fashion in your closet doesn’t mean you have to throw it out, create something new with it
• No matter where you are in your sustainable fashion journey, you’re not behind

Handles:
Instagram: @ruthlyss
TikTok: @ruth_lyss
YouTube: @sewruthlyss

Links:
Ruthlyss YouTube Channel 
Elle Fanning - Vivienne Westwood Dress 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with Rose Gildor, Founder, Owner and Creator of OA Shoppe. OA Shoppe is a preloved, circular fashion centered business with a unique concept located here in Omaha, NE in the Millard neighborhood. 

Rose’s shop is built on the rent-a-rack model where individuals rent space in the shop per week and essentially curate their racks to speak to those that have a similar style or those wanting to experiment with their wardrobe. And while rack rental is the focus of OA Shoppe, Rose has a passion for community and hosts a variety of events that connect those who share a common interest -  preloved fashion. 

I am so honored that I got the chance to chat with Rose and discuss the pain points, as well as the reasons to celebrate the strides the resale and preloved fashion community is making. It always helps when you focus on the solution rather than the problem. 

Fashion is cyclical and we continue to see trends coming full circle and that is a big reason as to why the preloved market has true staying power. And arguably, many times the styles and quality were way better the first time around.

I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed our conversation.

Show Notes:

• We’ve been conditioned to believe that we need things every day
• Intentionality behind where and how we shop
• Sizes on the tag don’t matter, try it on
• Getting joy from connecting with others through fashion
• Community is the gift that keeps on giving

Handles:
@oa.shoppe

Links:
https://www.oashoppe.com 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

This episode of Sustainably LB is a solo episode and I will be discussing this need to fix people and how we “other” them. 

There is no denying that we, in what is considered the “developed” world, are a culture of overconsumption, materialism, and convenience, with an acute affinity for “othering” and a hyper-focus on fixing people.

When people don’t line up with the binary that we hold for ourselves, we start to “other” them or we attempt to “fix” them because we see them as defective. Arguably, at times, this want to fix comes from a compassionate place. But the crux of the matter is, as author Laura McKowen puts it, “We pretend to know what other people should do.”

Show Notes:

• We are all interconnected
• Lead with Love
• The desire to “fix” doesn’t always come from a malicious place
• There's a pill for that
• The overdosing of America needs to be addressed because people do not need to be fixed
• Drug ads don’t have to disclose alternative treatments
• “Othering” individuals or a group of people breeds mistrust that often leads to hate
• When someone targets a group because of their hate, that’s terrorism 

Handles:
@sustainably_lb

Links:
https://www.elephantjournal.com/2022/05/why-do-we-feel-the-need-to-fix-people/ 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates

It isn’t the fear of failure that’s holding most of us back, it’s the fear of success. Yep, that’s right! Not the fear of failure but of achievement. Achievement often implies “work,” yes, there is a lot of showing up and actually doing the work that leads to “success.” 

It is work to confront your shadow.

It is work to unlearn your conditioning.

It is work to be vulnerable.

It is work to sit with the trauma.

It is work to sit with the darkness.

And it is an achievement to show up for yourself and as yourself time and time again. 

It is about aligning and flowing when called. Your work to (and for) yourself is a big part of your life’s, your soul’s, journey.

But back to the point, the fear of success (not of failure) holds us back. Because this hyperalert, always-on lifestyle doesn’t feel like a success. And if you’ve lived this life, you can probably relate no matter your generation.

Handles:
@sustainably_lb

Links:
The Fear of Success Holds Us Back, Not the Fear of Failure

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Logo:
Meadow Hearn
Creative:
Lauren Bates

In this episode of Sustainably LB I got to chat with Holly Lukasiewicz Creator, Curator and Independent Designer at District 2 Floral Studio. I connected with Holly in our little sustainability corner of Instagram and was immediately inspired by the work she is doing and the wealth of knowledge and compassion that flows through her. 

While our conversation is focused on the floral industry, so many of the same exploitive practices show up in the fashion industry as well which was particularly eye opening for me as to how deep the rabbit hole goes. 

“The beauty of flowers and their cultural place of significance during emotionally-charged life events tends to eclipse the negative and harmful aspects of the industry. Flowers have gotten to hide behind the pretty of being a flower.”
- Becky Feasby of Prairie Girl Flowers

Show Notes:

• We are nature
• Working more with what is available rather than buying into the consumption of more
• Being impact conscious and evaluating any given choice going into creation
• Flowers often get to hide behind the pretty
• Sourcing locally and seasonally whenever possible 
• Indiginous wisdom and reciprocity when it comes to the land and our practices
• Reconnecting to a place and viewing it through a different lens
• The power of community, connection and Instagram
• Caring for the earth shouldn't be political
• Focusing on the slow flower movement and the overlap with the fashion industry
• As a consumer, request more use of sustainable elements

Let’s stop hiding behind the pretty, let’s put people and the planet before profit and let’s really start holding the industries we love accountable because we want and believe that they can do better.

Handles:
@district2floral

Links and Resources:
District 2 Floral
Prairie Girl Flowers
Slow Flower Society 

Books We Talk About:
Braiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall Kimmerer
Flower Confidential - Amy Stewart

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Logo:
Meadow Hearn
Creative:
Lauren Bates

In this episode of Sustainably LB I got to chat with an old friend of mine, Chris Cantoya. Chris is a Freelance Creative Artist and while he might be known best for his photography, his scope in the arts and fashion space stretch well beyond what he captures from behind the lens of a camera. This multi-hyphenate man is a stylist, an artist, a designer and a photographer currently located in San Antonio, TX.

In this Midwest meets the South interview we talk about the importance of storytelling, where he finds inspiration and the power of community and heritage. 

Show Notes:

• Finding inspiration on and off the runway
• The power of community
• Doing more with less
• Looking at photography as a vehicle to connect with people
• Honoring your roots and heritage 
• Giving yourself the courage and grace to experiment with your craft
• The importance of storytelling

Handles:
@neohombre

Links:
Chris’s Cover Shoot for 71 Magazine
Vogue Austin Feature

Music:
Ian Aeillo
Logo:
Meadow Hearn
Creative:
Lauren Bates

For this episode of Sustainably LB, I got to sit with Maddie Graham of Frugal Fox.

Maddie is a personal stylist with a sustainable twist and Frugal Fox is the beautiful vehicle for it all. She does branded styling shoots, styling sessions, closet cleanouts and audits and sells curated vintage and thrifted pieces. And honestly, that is really just the bare bones of it.

I am so honored that I got the chance to chat with Maddie to discuss all the richness that doing this work brings, not only to her clients, but to the community and to herself as well. Because when you love doing what you do, it shows! And I think that is really conveyed in our conversation.

Show Notes:

• If you like something, wear it
• Curate your closet for you, not for trends
• Showing up as your beautifully  “flawed” self is epically healing
• Building confidence through knowing your body type
• Making space physically creates space energetically
• We are all learning and we can’t assume that someone knows what we know

Handles:
@_thefrugalfox_

Links:
http://thefrugalfoxbiz.com 

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Creative:
Lauren Bates

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

With so much pain and suffering in the world, it is easy to get sucked into the void.
Into the feelings of despair and hopelessness. And while I am not here to tell you to look away, to discredit this pain or push it down…I want all of us to remember there is always hope. There are always people who care, who are working towards a future where we are all supported, held and looked after.

It is like what Mr. Rogers would say, “Look for the helpers.”

In this case, the helpers come in the form of stateside legislation aimed at the fashion industry! The FABRIC Act, federal bill focused on brand's accountability and the Fashion Workers Act, a New York law that, if passed, would protect creatives and models by holding management companies accountable and creates specific protections for fashion’s creative workforce.

Show Notes:

The FABRIC Act has 5 Pillars:

• Eliminate wage theft in US garment factories by enforcing minimum wage standards
• Combat workplace violations with increased brand accountability
• Increased brand/supply chain transparency
• Reshoring incentivized with tax credits
• Revitalize the industry through a $40 million domestic garment manufacturing grant program

The Fashion Workers Act would require management companies and agencies to do the following:

• Accept responsibility to act in the best interests of their talent
• Pay models and creatives within 45 days of completing a job
• Provide models and creatives with copies of contracts and agreements
• Notify former models and creatives if the management collects royalties from a talent they no longer represent
• Register and deposit a surety bond of $50,000 with the NYS Department of State
• Conduct a reasonable inquiry into health and safety on set
• Discontinue bad practices such as
  • Collecting signing fees or deposits from models
  • Charging more than the daily fair market rate for accommodation
  • Deducting any other fee or expense than the agreed-upon commission
  • Renewing the contract without the model or creative’s affirmative consent
  • Imposing a commission fee greater than twenty percent of the model or creative’s compensation
• Forbid the management company from taking retaliatory action against any model or creative using the bill to file a complaint
• Forbid the management company or client from engaging in discrimination or harassment of any kind against talent based on race, ethnicity, and other legally permissible categories under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended

We have to keep advocating for change, for our fellow humans and for each other! We have to continue to believe that changing the industry is possible because it has been done before and we can do it again! “That’s just the way it is,” is no longer an acceptable answer.

More Resources on the Fashion Workers Act:

• Stay informed and up to date with the Model Alliance 
• Monitor the bill’s progress  
• Hear the models speak for themselves 

More Resources on the FABRIC Act:

• Read my article on The FABRIC Act
• Learn how you can further your support of The FABRIC Act at Remake

Music:
Ian Aeillo

Logo:
Meadow Hearn

Creative:
Lauren Bates