Daily Fashion 267

'People always seem confused when I tell them I'm a social worker and a fashion blogger...'

Submitted by Shira Rosenbluth
instagram @asequinloveaffair

'People always seem confused when I tell them I'm a social worker and a fashion blogger. I guess they sound very different but I've recently discovered that they really do connect!

With my job as a social worker I work to ensure that those who don't have a strong voice in our society (children, elderly, mentally ill, etc) are heard and respected. I help my clients learn to communicate their needs and express their thoughts and opinions.

In my work as a fashion blogger, I encourage people to use style as a form of self expression. I find style to be such a fun way to communicate the different aspects of my personality to people!'

Daily Fashion 262

'I have a passion for hand-crafted and handmade bespoke pieces...'

Submitted by Crafty Poppins
instagram @craftypoppins
twitter @craftypoppins

'I began training as an Art Psychotherapist in Ireland and during this process I could not disguise my desire to express with fabric and craft. I wanted to embrace all apparel with a playful attitude. This is when Crafty Poppins was born. An alter ego perhaps, but most of all a chance for self expression without pressure.

My current collection focuses on bespoke clothing, accessories, craft, gifts, photography and smaller household items. All pieces are upcycled, revamped and recycled. I have a passion for hand-crafted and handmade bespoke pieces. My own ethos was to create wearable and usable art, firstly for myself and now with aspirations to share this communication with the public.

Embracing the ever changing individual within us. My current fantasies are allured by pom poms, silk, velvet, plastic toys, spray paint, unicorns, felt, luminous, shoulder pads, the wearing of trees and dinosaurs making a come back! I want to continue to take the upcycling movement to heart and promote better conditions for clothing productions with a hint of general feminism!

I think there is a real translucency for me between my love of art therapy and of textile expression. They are very ingrained within each other. My interest began in the area of mental health in my teenage years and realised I wanted to dedicate my time to supporting adults suffering with their mental health. Alongside this more pragmatic process was the development of my creative expression and I found myself crafted my own up-cycled clothes, my own accessories from up-cycled toys or turning my favourite books into handbags.

As my confidence matured I began wearing these creations in public and it began to seep into my identity. I found myself consciously wearing and creating according to my emotions and my physic. I often fantasied about creating a clothing line to be distributed, but in retrospect there was a reason I stalled myself. In 2012 I completed an art, craft and textiles course to improve my technical ability with designing and sewing my creations. By 2013 I discovered art therapy as a training ground and decided to commit to begin this training as an art psychotherapist.  

It was not until I began my training that I intensely acknowledged my personal connection to my creative process, more specifically fashion. How fashion had been my voice, my exploration of my world and my way of connecting more deeply to the experiences I was having around me. I began embracing my creative side in a way I had not been aware of before, I began trusting it really.

Through this process I created Crafty Poppins the brand. It is a means of me creating my designs but simultaneously being able to share them with people in a 'made to order' manner. A focus on personal style, quirky fashion and up-cycled accessories. I now continue to put energy into Crafty Poppins in a calm easy pace and hope to continue to interact with people in that creative way and share my designs.'

Daily Fashion 261

'whatever I choose to wear as long as I am comfortable and confident, is a work of art...'

Submitted by Brianna Pippens
instagram @banana_peppers
tumblr Banana-Peppers
soundcloud Brianna Pippens

'The story of my style is definitely one that has gone through phases and periods from eccentric to androgynous. Growing up my mother would always have me in the most adorable outfits. She kept me stylish with lots of colors and patterns. As I matured and started to come into my own I started to realize that I love to wear clothes that are comfortable but give off a vibe of my personality.

I love thrifting, when I realized that could find remarkable vintage pieces in thrift shops ( way before the Macklemore song) I fell in love. From an old college crew neck, to a paisley pair of pants I have found that my favorite clothing has come a thrift store. I have always been inspired by the Cosby Show and A Different World and the outfits that they wore, especially Denise Huxtable, Lisa Bonet.

80's and 90's pop culture definitely influences my sense of style. I like to be versatile, aesthetically pleasing and sometimes elegantly disheveled. When I get dressed I usually listen to music which definitely influences my choices. Tribal prints, floral patterns, acid wash, tie-dye, over-sized blazers overalls, high waisted jeans, penny loafers are a few of the things that I love to wear.

I love to look at people like Solange Knowles, Zoe Kravitz and Erykah Badu, they inspire me to be myself in what I wear and not just try to go along with the latest trends if I don't really like them. As a visual artist I like to think of myself as a canvas, and whatever I choose to wear as long as I am comfortable and confident, is a work of art.'