My life in pictures

Top Row L-R: Toms Jadon Wedge, Pamela Love Tribal Necklace, Big Star Denim
Middle Row L-R: Dresses @ Show & Tell, Awaken Cafe, Candid Art Hand Chain
Bottom Row L-R: Vintage Dodgers Tee, Baggu Leather Bags, Jeffrey Campbell Heels 

The Inside Scoop on indiDenim

As many of you know I have a slight obsession with denim. I am perpetually on the hunt for the "perfect" brand- you know the one that always fits right and has the current leg shape and wash you are craving for the season. Finding the perfect pair of jeans is no easy task, but California based indiDenim is hoping to change that with custom made denim for all shapes and sizes.

http://www.indicustom.com/

indiDenim was started in 2008 with the goal of bringing the denim shopping process into the 21st century with custom jeans for the masses. Online customers are able to customize their denim two different ways. The first option is to tailor one of indiDenim's signature fits to your liking. Customers can choose between skinny, trouser, straight, bootcut, or plus fits for women. The second option allows customers to be the designer and combine their choice of hip and leg shape, fabric weight and wash, thread color, hem height, and pocket detail .  The results of a body questionnaire combined with indiDenim's unique fit technology ensures the perfect fit. With fabric from the historic Cone Mills indiDenim serves up quality denim that rivals (maybe even surpasses) what is available in the premium denim market today.

A couple of months ago I had the privilege of visiting the Emeryville offices of indiDenim to get a behind the scenes look at their process and to customize my very own pair. Below are a couple of the pics I snapped during my visit.  Danielle, my tour guide and fit expert for the day, was super nice and knowledgeable and helped me to design my perfect pair.

The denim wall showcases the available fits, washes, thread choices, and hems.

A range of pocket designs help to further customize your indiDenim.

After a little more than a month wait I received my indiDenim and I can say that I am very happy with them.  They are the perfectly cropped, clean, straight leg jeans that I have wanted for a while. They paired perfectly with Sperrys and a J Crew striped tee for a casual look to enjoy California's sunny September weather and I can't wait to pair with heeled booties for fall!

Look Good, Feel Better: My Fave Cause Based Brands

TOMS X The Row: The Row teamed up with TOMS to turn out a luxurious, limited edition collection of cashmere and Italian wool TOMS for fall. For every pair of TOMS purchased a pair of shoes is given to a child in need. Photo via TOMS.com

When my partner and I started toying with the idea of opening show & tell we knew that we didn't just want to open another boutique selling pretty things. If we were going to open a store of any kind it had to be meaningful in some way. Months of brainstorming yielded the ambitious mission of stocking our shelves solely with fashionable goods that are about more than being stylish. In our effort to shift the paradigm of retail in this country we sought out local lesser know brands that are produced in the U.S., goods that are made using fair trade, ethical and sustainable practices, and brands that directly benefit underserved members of the global community.

At first I thought our lofty mission would be a challenge to uphold, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a bevy of brands out there that are doing amazing things. I am particularly partial to cause based brands that do something tangible for every one of their products that is purchased.  Being an avid shopper there is always something for me to covet, but knowing that I can choose to spend my money on products that help to make a difference is even more rewarding than how great said product will look with my latest outfit.

While TOMS is a superstar in the cause based game, with a 1 for 1 promise, comfy shoes, and a new line of sunglasses, there are several other brands out their doing amazing things.

Here are the deats on some of my other faves:

Who: Good Society

Good Society Women's Skinny Fit Denim- Photo via GoodSociety.org

What: This brand packs a lot of punch producing Sustainable, Fair Trade, Organic Denim. As if that wasn't enough they also donate 1/4 of their profits to local and international project like the SA Foundation, that provides support for women who have been victims of or are in danger of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Where: To purchase and learn more visit www.goodsociety.org

Who: Warby Parker

Warby Parker X Suno- Photo via Refinery 29

What: In addition to offering fashionable and affordable sunnies and specs Warby Parker has teamed up with non-profits like VisionSpring.org to offer a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair they sell. Soon to come a collaboration with the pattern masters of Suno.

Where: Get your glasses and find out more at www.warbyparker.com


Who: Falling Whistles

Hamptons Rose Necklace- Photo via FallingWhistles.com

What: Falling Whistles has turned the weapon of children on the front lines of the war in the Congo into a tool to help rehabilitate these children and turn them into activist for human rights. Through a partnership with community leaders in the Congo and with funds raised through the sale of the FW necklaces and other products children of the war are taken through a 4 stage program that includes education, arts, and other skill building programs.

Where:You can purchase a necklace and learn more about how you can help the situation in the Congo at www.fallingwhistles.com



Who: Freewaters Sandals

Women's Tropicali Sandal- Photo via Freewaters.com

What: California based Freewaters makes your new favorite pair of flip flops that feature an ergonomic design and eco-friendly materials and production. When you purchase a pair of Freewaters sandals you provide access to clean drinking water for 1 individual for 1 year.

Where: See the full line of sandals and learn more about the clean water projects at www.freewaters.com

Macon Me Crazy

Old School Denim Sewing Machine used at Raleigh Denim
Photo via Eco- Chick

This past Tuesday I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit The Curatory, the retail space of up and coming brand Raleigh Denim. I was there for personal and professional reasons and on both fronts it was an amazing trip.

Currently Raleigh Denim, founded by Sarah and Victor Lytvinenko, produces a limited run of a small, but compelling selection of men's and women's fits in a handful of washes. The line is currently available at Barney's and select small boutiques throughout the country. One of the many things that sets Raleigh denim apart from other premium denim brands is that each pair is made by hand in the production space attached to the Curatory. The fabric is sourced just miles away from Cone Denim Mills, the premier denim mill in America. Attention to detail and respect for craft is the hallmark of Raleigh Denim and their well appointed store front serves as the perfect backdrop. Below are couple pics I snapped of the amazing space that houses the full assortment of Raleigh Denim as well as complimentary pieces from other indie brands.

 

Upon my arrival I was greeted by John Webb who handles sales for North America and Japan, among other things. He recently relocated for San Fran to NC to take on this new gig so we chatted a bit about the fashion scene in the Bay and then we got down to the business of trying on jeans. John, acting as my personal stylist and tour guide, set me up in a fitting room with the 2 women's fits that Raleigh Denim is currently producing.

First was the Union, a classic dark rise boot cut which I loved, but it was the Macon Straight Fit that stole my heart. I normally have an extremely hard time finding denim that fits so the fact that these fit like a glove was super exciting. Even better was the fact that they come in fun colors like Slate, a nice grey, and the amazingly cool white wash pictured below. I ended up purchasing the Macon in Peacock, a beautiful tealy- blue. To top it all off John even hemmed my jeans to the perfect length on the spot!

Can you say AMAZING customer service!

The Union Fit

The Macon Fit

My Peacock Macons ready to be hemmed

I am definitely a Raleigh Denim fan and I can't wait to add the Macon in white to my wardrobe. I would like to say a super big thanks to John and Victor for showing me such a good time.

If you are ever in the Raleigh area the Curatory is a must see. You will leave with a new found appreciation for quality jeans and most likely with a pair of your own Raleigh Denim!