Greening up the World

So it's almost spring the snow is on the ground still but spring will be here before we know it! Greening Xchange is putting a new face on our company, for branding purposes we are changing the company name to Green Chicks. This way we can put three little chicks on each product we sell so people can identify our products with a symbol. We currently have items up on etsy for sale so please go check them out, our hairpieces are perfect for a spring pick me up for your wardrobe. I am also working with local youth at Green Initative KC, we will be having a spring session of recycled clothing design 101. Comming up soon is also the Earth Fair in Mission which I will be helping Shawnee Mission high shchool students make recyceld clothing for the fashion show. our business is going throught transistion but we are open to help our local communities. Here are a few of the services we offer, closet consulting ( have lots of clothes and nothing to wear let me help you but remaking your old stuff and maybe shopping for some basic new pieces), youth green classes (these focus on the importance of understanding the perils of the fashion inustry and their effect on the environment), youth fashion classes (in this class yourth learn to make their own recycled fashions from their own closet), and of course remake my bag of clothes (this focuses on making new clothes out of your old ones donate a bag of clothes get one outfit free. Check us out on our site greenchickskc.com.

Local Let Down

Last night my business partner and I passed out fliers at First Fridays in the Kansas City Crossroads. It was a lot of fun we got dressed up like dead girls and walked around handing out fliers for the Paranormal research tour we are giving of Whatsoever the community center we have our day jobs at. The center is over a hundred years old and there is a lot of activity with ghosts there the research group that is doing the tour will talk about the history of the building show evidence of what they've recorded and give a guided tour. All the proceeds benefit Whatsoever and the research group. Handing out fliers proved to be a bit uncomfortable for me at one point, and it's stuck with me all through the day. At one point we reached Birdies and I entered the store and handed a flier to the owner. She was helping a customer but she just dropped the flier and gave me a dirty look! Small business 101 says that each person who enters your store is a potential customer. They will or won't make a purchase based on how you treat them. I felt dirty and unimportant and I couldn't get the scene out of my mind. We sell our clothes at Spool right next store. She had no idea who I was or how important I might be someday, but I know that I will never treat anyone that way. Emotionally I feel certain that wild horses couldn't drag me back in that store, mentally I know that our paths will cross again and she will probably never know she was rude to me. Kansas City is a small town and eventually he fame will wear out and then what will she have. I wish I could look past my own ego and celebrate another fellow artist reaching some fame, but the impact still remains. So for all you women out there who are starting out or established just keep in mind that you never know what a person might become or who they are. So be nice and reap the rewards!

Westport Art Fair

This weekend was the Westport art fair the weather was perfect for people to mingle and see all the beautiful art. There were quite a few artist that I liked this year. There was Jan Preston who is a Kansas City native her work hit close to my heart becaust it is collage work canvas streched over objects with carefully selected images chosen to be included. Her shining piece found just inside the booth was six canvas panels painted in an antique style with certain panels streched over found objects I was fascinated. The second artist that I really liked was Andrew Batcheller his work is reminiscent of many album cover art. The images include fish, flowers, skulls, and water. Each painting was brightly colored but all had an undertone of a darker mystery beneath. Many would say it had a Dali esque quality as well. My lat pick is Infinity Green Products they make recycled bags from old banners. The business was started because the owners wanted to teach there children about being environmentally responsible. I appreciate it when I can go to a main stream art show and see people doing things that are consciouncs of the environment. I am looking forward to working with one of the owners Gabriella Saunders in future ventures between our two businesses. If you missed the Westport Art Fair don't miss the Plaza Art Fair and make sure you stop by the Starkers food booth to have the food that won best at last years show.

Fringe Fashion week is officially over. I would like to say that it was an amazing experience. When Crystal and I started we never imagined we would have our clothes on the runway. Seven months of production and we are starting to see the fruits of our labor. We would like to thank The Paul Mitchell School, B-vogue salon for all the help with hair and make-up. A special thank you to Courtney Perry and her staff for all the hard work put into the events surrounding the Fashion show. We look forward to doing another event in the fall which will include some recycled costumes, and a haunted visit to Whatsoever Community Center.

My 90 year old Grandma

So last Saturday was my Grandmother's 90ith birthday and I made her a rad hairpiece that she rocked. Here are some pictures and proof that anyone can wear these in the right occasion.

Some thoughts on Recycled Fashion

Recycled Clothing: (re)Made to Last

by Libuse Binder
Published on July 13th, 2009

Recycled clothing is making waves in the fashion world. Whether it be the perfect thrift store find, or a hand-me-down from a family member, most consumers have been participating in recycled fashion for some time. Many designers have also caught on to the idea that clothing made from recycled materials is not only better for the planet, it is also increasingly popular with customers looking to minimize the environmental footprint of their wardrobes.

Keeping clothing out of the landfill has a two-fold benefit. In addition to the obvious one of reducing overall waste, creating clothing from recycled materials greatly reduces the amount of natural resources necessary to produce such products, including the land and water used to grow cotton, as well as pesticides and energy used in the agricultural and production process.

• 68 percent less global warming potential
• 33 percent less land used
• 49 percent less air pollution produced
• 80 percent less waste generated
• 25 percent fewer carcinogens produced
• 79 percent less fossil fuels used        

Our Clothes on Salwe Now!

Yes it feels like spring in Kansas City, and it's time to start shopping for new dresses. Our stuff is being sold at a local store Spool you can find it in the cross roads on 18th right next to Birddies and WJ's looking for the Greening Xchange tag to know it's ours. Thanks for supporting local small business.