Loose Layers & Mixed Media

I was recently lucky enough to be offered a piece from the MarketPlace: Handwork of India Fall line and I was thrilled as they are one of my favorite companies to work with.  They are a wonderful company doing wonderful things and their clothes are both unique and well made.

As always, it was a struggle to decide which fabulous piece to choose, but I finally landed on the Indu top:

Indu Top in Charcoal

Why this top?  Well, I love the colors. And I also love the patterns.  But, my main reason was the fact that it's a mixed media top, combining woven panels with cozy tee shirt material and embroidery.  I love combining different textures in an outfit to add interest, but sometimes I'm too lazy to make the effort.

And that's why the Indura top is perfect for me.  I can be lazy and still be interesting.  Yay, me!


This top has a boxy, oversize fit that stymied me a bit at first because boxy on me looks, well, boxy.  But then I had the idea to layer it over another oversize piece and, as un-figure-flattering as that sounds, I really liked it:

Top: c/o MarketPlace: Handwork of India  Shirt: Gap  Jeans: Old Navy  Boots: Born (similar)

Because the top is a little short on my giant self, I think the loose layers actually work better than the Indu top on it's own would.  Or, maybe I just really love layers.  That could be it, but I'd swear this works:

So much so, that I plan on wearing iterations of this layered look throughout the fall.  So, I'm not saying you have to get on board, but the train is certainly leaving the station.

And I'll be wearing this as I drive it:

Happy Friday, All!  And a huge thank you to MarketPlace: Handwork of India!

Gracey

A Midi and A Moto

I've never been able to figure out how the girls on Pinterest are able to pair a midi, a moto and a pair of ankle boots without looking both stumpy and wide.  Of course, not knowing how to do something doesn't stop me from trying.  Case in point:

I'm fairly certain it has something to do with the ratio of shaft height to heel height on the boots.  Also probably a factor is the length of the dress in relation to the boots.  But, I have no idea what those ratios should be.  That being said, I do think this is probably my most successful attempt at the look:

Dress: c/o MarketPlace: Handwork of India   Jacket: Kenneth Cole NY   Boots: Splendid

And to be honest, what I think makes it successful, if, indeed it is, is the dress.  This dress is beautiful.  It's the perfect color and the print is gorgeous:

It's part of the MarketPlace: Handwork of India Spring Collection and I love it.  I love the fit and I love that it's actually a midi, even on my tall self.  I was actually concerned that it wouldn't be, but I think the length is perfect.  And, of course, like all MarketPlace items, it is hand-printed, hand-embroidered and its manufacturing helps provide jobs and training to female artisans in India.

So, yeah, I'm honestly not sure I'm pulling off a midi and a moto; all I'm really sure about is that I will be wearing the heck out of this dress from here until next fall.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Get the Look

MarketPlace: Handwork of India "Malwa" dress

Similar mixed media moto (here or here)

Splendid ankle boots

MarketPlace: Handwork of India

The other day I was contacted by a company called MarketPlace: Handwork of India with the offer to review one of their products.  I had never heard of this company so I did a little research and they’re pretty amazing.  They are a nonprofit Alternative Trade and Development Organization that works with 480 women artisans around Mumbai, India, to produce clothing and home décor items showcasing authentic techniques such as hand batik, ikat and hand embroidery.

The women work in supportive, non-exploitative work environments in the form of 14 cooperatives around Mumbai, which the women organize and manage.  And, addition to the much needed employment, MarketPlace works in conjunction with another nonprofit organization in Mumbai, SHARE, to provide social programs to the artisans.  And the women in turn use their own social program, Social Action, to get involved in their communities, tackling everything from garbage collection to domestic abuse.  

So, yeah, pretty amazing.

And so are the items they produce.  Like the Majuli Tunic:

Here is a close-up of the hand printed pattern and the hand embroidery at the yoke:

I don’t wear a lot of purple, but I love the dusty plum of the tunic.  And I love that the embroidery inspired me to pair the tunic with a mustard scarf:

Really, what's not to love about a company that empowers women and inspires the wearing of mustard?!  That's right, nothing.

To share in the love and learn more about MarketPlace: Handwork of India, please visit them here.

And have a Happy Wednesday, All!

Gracey