I’m wearing the paisley pants from Walla Walla again. I love how they’re a basic cropped white denim—with a special touch: velvety paisley. 
I’ve always like the color combo of black, white and red, so I added a red top. Bonus, the color theme carries over to my new Cykochik tote. The tote is black and white with a red heart. And if you know your butterflies, you’ll recognize the pattern from the wings of the monarch. 
I had the pleasure of meeting Cykochik founder Nikki Duong Koenig when I was in Austin last month. I was so happy to see all her designs. Her cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and custom-made vegan handbags are made in Dallas. It was hard to choose just one, but I’d been eyeing this pattern online for a while so I grabbed it. 
Another awesome part of my outfit (if I do say so myself!) is that I’m wearing my new Nicora Johns Sally flats. I blogged about my Nicora Johns boots before, and I’m so in love with the company, the quality, and their mission, that I added these cute shoes to my collection. They’re handmade in LA and also vegan, sustainable, and eco-friendly. I enjoy shopping but when there’s a personal connection and I know I’m helping small businesses instead of conglomerates, it’s just that much better. 
I’m buying less these days, but when I do shop, I make sure I buy quality, and I support businesses whose values align with mine. It makes shopping so much more meaningful. Every piece has a story—and meaning. 
Tag Archives: nicora johns
Paisley Pants and a Monarch Tote
Fashion Revolution: Who Made My Clothes?
Today is Fashion Revolution Day. This day marks the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which killed over eleven hundred people and injured thousands more.
I’m joining others as we ask, “Who made my clothes?” Check out Instagram hashtags for #fashrev, #whomademyclothes, #fashionrevolutionday, and #whomadeyourclothes for lots of inspiring photos. You might see photos of people wearing their clothes inside out to show the labels–transparency in fashion!
I know who made my clothes!
Lois Eastlund made my dress. It looks fantastic (even inside out) because it’s handmade and she paid a lot of attention to detail. She’s a NY-based fashion designer and one of the founders of La Fashionista Compassionista–an awesome (and free) online magazine that you should get your hands on!
Moses made my boots. They’re handmade in a factory in LA. The company, Nicora Johns, is helping to keep the US shoemaking industry alive. When I bought my boots, I got a photo of Moses in the shop where he made these. They’re also vegan–no animals or humans harmed!
Crystalyn Kae made my purse. It’s glazed fabric. Another great leather alternative. I met Crystalyn when she was located in Seattle. She’s based in NYC now, but you can find her amazing bags in stores nationwide and on her website.
Roque from Get Hell Bent made my cuff. It’s made from recycled bicycle tires. I have three of her cuffs. They’re so edgy and tough!
I made my earrings! It’s fun to create. My simple drop-chain earrings were easy to make and have become my go-to pair. They match everything!
I don’t know who made my tights. So it’s not a perfect outfit. But thinking about where my clothing comes from has opened my eyes. I heard 1 in 6 people is employed in fashion. But who are they? What are their working conditions like? How environmentally friendly is the factory? Animal skins require so many chemicals to turn them into leather and not decompose.
Fashion isn’t perfect, but I love knowing where my clothes came from and who made them. My goal is to buy exclusively from sustainable ethical companies. Sometimes that means things cost more. But do I really need thirty $8 tank tops? What if I had eight $30 tanks? They’d last longer, and I’d be putting my dollars where my values are.
Let’s start a revolution!
Black and Red Maxi Skirt and Nicora John Boots
Today, I’m starting from the bottom up.
Vegan boots: Nicora John
Skirt: Fred Meyer
Top: Gifted
Scarf: Herbivore Clothing
Faux leather jacket: Aeropostal
My new Nicora John boots are my favorite thing ever! They go with everything and are quickly becoming part of my “uniform.” These are handmade in LA, in an eco-friendly factory (solar panels anyone?). NJ is keeping the craft of shoemaking alive in the US, while working exclusively with textile leathers (meaning they’re all vegan). I can’t say enough great things about this company.
I found out Nicora John is doing a fundraiser to upgrade their factory, increase production, and lower costs.
Turns out there are next to zero shoe manufacturing facilities left in the United States available to emerging shoe companies, which forces them to outsource. The USA has lost 70,000 jobs in the show industry since 1979! And unregulated foreign-made shoes often lack animal welfare laws or labor and environmental standards.
There are so many reasons to support Nicora John. Plus, these boots are comfy! I’ll be getting the Willow boots next. So cute!
Okay, up to the skirt. This skirt looks red, but is actually a fine red and black striped fabric. I saw it on clearance and couldn’t resist (even though I’m trying to stick to my shopping goals of supporting USA-made and/or small businesses–it’s hard to break old habits and shop in a new way!).
I wore my new skirt with a scarf (purchased in a small shop), so maybe that evens things out. Scarves are my favorite way to dress up an outfit (and stay warm).
I think a faux leather jacket goes with just about anything. I wear mine all the time–with jeans, pencil skirts, dresses, and long skirts. This quilted version has a nice texture and is my go-to jacket.
I’m linking up with Style Elixir, Rachel the Hat, Penniless Socialite, and Rhea Etcetera–check out what everyone else is wearing!
jeanofalltrades 