by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: THE BIG TRUNK SHOW & VINTAGE SWAP
When: October 4th from 7pm to Midnight
Where: Café Eleven in St.Augustine
Admission: Free
For freshly squeezed fashion, you’ll want to drop in at the Big Trunk Show at Café Eleven. The St. Augustine restaurant and hotspot has teamed up with the SJCC and Marathon Productions to bring you North Florida fashion designers. Meet these creative, fresh fashion designers and take a look at their custom fashions. Designers will range from those just launching their line, to independent pros on the scene. Other attractions at the event include a vintage clothing swap (guests should bring something to swap), music from Marathon productions, $2 wine by the glass, Fashion films and shopping. Designers will have everything from custom jewelry and clothing to accessories.
Here’s the inside scoop on some of the designers that will be in the show!
Recycled Originality from Honey Well
Kristen Marie Adamczyk and her best friend started the clothing line Moonshine in Jersey by mining garage sales and dumpster diving. Since Adamczyk moved to St. Augustine she started her own line: Honey Well. “All the clothes are made out of recycled material,” says Adamczyck “I don’t buy anything. Everything is either found or bought from a flea market or a thrift store…The whole theme is recycl[ing] and that anyone can make clothes. I never learned how, I just taught myself…That’s something I like about fashion, that anyone can do it, anyone can look creative and feel really good about it.” When she shows me her collection, it’s as though each piece is a child she doesn’t want to let go of, and it’s no wonder, since every piece is original. Many of the skirts are made from vintage tablecloths and curtains and some pieces are simply vintage pieces that have been embellished. She loves adding lace, threaded designs and her trademark bird appliqués. Her pieces will be available after the show date at Mariposa.
Designed For Good: Rosa Loves
Fashion as a social movement is what the newly launched label Rosa Loves is hoping to effect. It started with an idea Mike Fetto had this summer, about a company that would create and sell t-shirts and give a percentage of the profits to charity. Most companies that donate a percentage of their profits do so by giving money to an organization, like the Red Cross. Unfortunately, much of the money will go to the administration of an organization before finally trickling down to help those in need. Those shaping the vision of Rosa Loves, namely Mike Fretto, Chris Lewis and Jeremy Dean, decided to give directly to individuals in the community. They decided that they liked the concept of personalizing donation. As Chris Lewis put it: “Rosa Loves is less about charity and more about awareness, awareness that we are all part of something greater and are therefore joined by common threads. I believe that accepting this truth means accepting our place in the community, and more importantly, accepting responsibility for each other.” This line of clothing is brand new and will be introduced at the show.
An Upscale Edge with Designer Erin Healy
“Classic clothing with a modern edge” is how self-taught seamstress Erin Healy describes her clothes. She’s done a fashion show at Café Eleven in the past and is happy to be back for this show because she “love[s] the atmosphere and energy.” She began sewing seriously in high school, starting her career by designing prom dresses for friends. Today she still uses some of the luxe fabrics and touches that you might use in a formal gown in many of her designs; she loves using silk and fine lace. She sells her clothes exclusively, but you can also find them at Isabella’s in St. Augustine on Cuna Street.
Texas Chic From Laura Ryan Designs
The only out of towner on the list is Laura Ryan, from Texas. Laura Ryan and Erin Healy are in the preliminary stages of collaborating together on a line of clothing. For now though, their lines are separate. Both Ryan and Healy have done a show at Café Eleven together. Ryan has traveled extensively, studying the fashion around the world as she visited countries like Chile and China. When she saw fashions abroad that were hard to find in the US, but that appealed to her aesthetic, Ryan thought that “If I’m craving this kind of contemporary, comfortable, clean-lined clothes, others are, too.” Vibrant color and elegant clothes with a twist are her trademark. She lives with her husband, Mark, and an adorable, diminutive pug named Yoda in Fort Worth. If you want to take a look at her line go to www.lauraryandesigns.com/
Friends Making Art Together: Purple Frog Originals
“I like unusual, one of a kind things, so putting a…drawing on fabric makes great sense to create wearable art!” says Linda Thale, one half of the artistic team that puts out the Purple Frog Originals. Cathi Bloom, Thale’s best friend makes up the other half of the art fashion duo. Bloom has experience in the retail end of things, having opened a shop in St.Augustine in 2000, called Dreamstreet Too. She’s since closed the shop in order to pursue her dream of creating wearable art with Thale. Their fashion line, featuring “unique designs and dyes” will be debuting at the show.
Appealing to the Surfer/Skater in All of Us: Bean Dip Clothing
Launched in 2005, this rapidly growing action/streetwear brand, has landed accounts as far away as Hawaii. Begun by Bill Smeltzer and James Russell, these DIY guys do everything themselves, from design to screen printing to sales. You’ll find their clothes here in St. Augustine at Surf Station and Girl Next Door or you can check them out on the web at www.beandipclothing.com.
A St. Augustine Success Story: The Retro Vintage Luna Myst Threads
A third generation seamstress, Misty Estes came to St. Augustine with the idea of finishing her English degree at Flagler. Her plans soon changed as it became clear that she could make a living sewing. Her clothes drew comments everywhere she went and she was constantly asked where she got her shirts and skirts. As her answer was always “I made it” she was soon loaded down with orders for friends, relatives and strangers on the street. Before long she had opened her own shop: Luna Myst Threads. Most of her clothing comes from recycled vintage items, whenever possible. Misty Estes doesn’t believe clothing should ever be thrown out, not when there is a button to be saved or a zipper to be salvaged. Her collection is inspired by the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and ‘70’s, an Asian flair and quilt patterns. All work, whether custom or off the rack is guaranteed by Estes. She’ll fix popped buttons or problem zippers on her work for free. If you’d like custom work done you can also commission her. Her store is open Monday-Saturday from 1pm-7pm, but she’s also available by appointment. You can find her store at 233 West King Street in St. Augustine.
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