Hi there, it's Jo again! I have been so honored to have the opportunity each week to sit down with individuals who help us continue our goal of creating authentic connections with customers and community members. At Clothed In Gold, we hope that we can use fashion as a way to not only empower, but educate and inspire our followers. Staying true to fashion, our guest for this week's Education Monday feature embodies the individual Clothed In Gold strives to provide accessible fashion for. The past couple weeks have been illuminating and extremely educational to our entire staff! Our company has been so fortunate to be connected to individuals who are such strong advocates for the fashion industry and use their platforms to speak about issues deepest to their hearts. This week is a special week in the series.
Today, Clothed In Gold sat down with Jenna Sassenrath. Jenna is my life long friend and biggest support system. She has been the inspiration behind so many projects throughout my life, and Clothed In Gold is no exception. Today, I had the opportunity to have a phone discussion with Jenna about her collegiate career path and how it drastically shifted from her original dream job. I always appreciate Jenna's vulnerability and candor and I hope by reading her journey you will fall just as much in love with her too! When Jenna first moved to our town in 8th grade, I have a vivid memory of her carrying around a sketch book. Jenna wasn't the type to draw portraits, flowers, or random doodles. No, when I met Jenna she was obsessed with designing outfits. When people hear that someone is designing and drawing outfit ideas in the 8th grade, most laugh it off as a silly hobby and don't take these aspirations seriously. They dismiss the art and often don't even take the time of day to appreciate what is being created-- even if it is to appease and encourage a far off dream. But I took the time to look and listen to Jenna's dreams and sketches, and let me tell you they were (and probably still can be) very attainable. She had fully thought out ideas, patterns, designs, pieces, and even swatches of fabrics for each page. I was memorized by someone our age who already was years ahead of everyone else. She had the drive, the talent, and the ambition. I vowed to stay in her corner and always encouraged her to show me new designs as she thought of them. It wasn’t until our recent talk that I asked her what happened to that dream. I mean, in the early years of high school we talked about her attending school in Rhode Island for fashion design and then one day it never came up again. I was so certain that was going to be the path she chose, so I was curious to find out why she didn’t. What I found out was absolutely heartbreaking. My biggest take away from talking with Jenna was that she didn’t see a space in the fashion world for plus size women, so she had to change her dreams. She explained that “For me, design had always been a dream of mine. I still create now, but it’s more of a hobby. What I would’ve given to feel like there was a space for me in design school. But I looked at what was being produced on the runways, the designers featured on TV at the time, and I just felt defeated. I didn’t want to show up with a portfolio of designs created for bodies like mine and be seen as a joke. So I just, you know, changed directions.” I had never taken the time to really think about fashion school and the change that can be started there. As a society, we are always so focused on advocating for change from corporations and retailers, that if the next generation of designers isn’t being taught inclusivity in their design courses, it will be like shouting into an echo chamber. We all want change, but we need to know how to attack it from the source and that source is fashion students. When I expressed this sentiment to Jenna, she laughed. “You know, I guess at the time nobody was pushing for body positivity and inclusivity in stores the way they are now. I never would’ve thought I’d be living in a world where bodies like mine are becoming “mainstreamed” and “appreciated” for just existing. I LOVE that there is becoming more and more fashion for my community and one day I would LOVE to have the opportunity to learn the skills to turn my designs into real life creations.” She continued by saying, “I really do have hope for what is to come. Obviously we have a long way to go, but I recently read this article on Refinery29.com touching on this very topic. I had been struggling for so long with understanding why I could never put into words the choice not to go to design school. This article that I found did that for me and so much more.” I asked her if she ever regretted her design not to go. She told me, “No. I mean, at the time I was super sad my designs wouldn’t get to see actual creation but I am really happy with the path I chose. I still design. I am never going to stop designing. I recently designed my own wedding dress. That is one I KNOW I am going to make happen. It’s such a great outlet for me. I think if I went to design school at the time I would’ve, it would’ve been a space that brought me more pain than joy. Designing is supposed to be about joy. Fashion is supposed to be about joy. I am proud of my fashion and style journey. I am proud of the choices I have made. I like me for me, you know? And that is the greatest thing ever! I asked her if she would design my wedding dress and she said "As if we didn't already do that in middle school. Girl, I have it all ready with swatched and everything. I'll design and you sew. We make a great team that way!" And she was right. She always is. We do make a great team. It is always so refreshing to speak with Jenna. This was just a fragment of the knowledge and wisdom she gave throughout our conversation. Below is the link to the Refinery29 article Jenna mentioned in her story. Stay Golden
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/09/9983304/plus-size-fashion-design-classes-school-problem
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Hi everyone, it's Jo. Today I want to share with all of you the inspiration for Clothed In Gold. This business would not have been able to be possible without the support and guidance from so many phenomenal individuals. However, throughout the journey of brainstorming, contemplating, planning, and finally launching this business there has always been one guiding light and voice of reason; her name is Jenna Sassenrath. I have had the privilege of knowing Jenna since the 8th grade, and with each year our friendship grows stronger. When I was thinking about the goals and missions of this business, I knew that I wanted them to embody the characteristics I see in Jenna. Through every step of the way in the process, Jenna has provided feedback, both positive and room for improvement, and has cultivated an environment where we feel confident and excited about the direction of our missions. Jenna is wise beyond her years and is always up for a three a.m phone call about how to improve sales, promote new inventory, and brainstorm our next outreach event! Jenna is the foundation for our audience at Clothed In Gold. She exhibits all of our characteristics and then some. My life, and I know the lives of everyone she touches are made infinitely more compassionate, passionate, stronger, and positive by having her around.
Today is all about Jenna. She is the inspiration behind everything we do and she also happens to an employee! Jenna handles all of our out-of-state outreach and orders! Jenna is just wrapping up her final semester in college and is on her way to becoming a highly renowned publishing editor! She is majoring in English, minoring in Women's and Gender Studies, and concentrating in Creative Writing. Some of her hobbies include painting, reading, writing, and listening to music. We are so in awe of all the positivity and empowerment Jenna brings to every work environment she inhabits. You can read all about Jenna below and understand why she is the inspiration that started this journey! Jenna’s Style Guide Favorite fashion accessory?: “My favorite fashion accessory is a basic belt. There is such versatility in them! My favorite way to wear them is with a dress! I love adding texture to a basic dress by simply throwing a belt with it!" One clothing item you could never live without?: “One clothing item I could never live without is a sweater. I have so many of them that they overflow every drawer I own! There is something so cozy and simple about sweaters.” Favorite color?: “Red. I look SO good in red. It is such a powerful, sexy, confident, vibrant color. I love to stand out, and red is the color that helps me do that!” Jeans or sweatpants?: “Oh, jeans over sweatpants anyday! I am a HUGE jean girl. I love this new “curvy” style of jeans. Yeah, I have been saying for years “duh of course you need to make jeans that don’t fit one type of body” and now we have that! I’m telling you jeans with the right fit can change your entire world.” What is your favorite fashion season?: “Surprise surprise, My favorite fashion season is fall because of all the sweaters! So many to wear! So many beautiful colors! So much layering with dresses and skirts! Ugh, I just love it all!” You’re never fully dressed without what item?: I’m never fully dressed without a comfy t-shirt. You know, I really think people don’t understand the t-shirts! They are something you can literally wear with ANYTHING; dresses, jeans, skirts, shorts! You name a bottom and it can be worn with it!” How fashion has brought a change in your life?: “As a plus sized woman, fashion can be a love hate relationship. It can bring happiness, but also an immense amount of stress trying to find clothes that fit. Overall, fashion has made me realize that I deserve to feel comfortable within the clothes I wear. Clothing should be inclusive for everyone, no matter your size. I only wear clothes that truly make me happy. I do not dress for others, I only dress for myself and how I feel.” What are some of your favorite clothing brands (besides Clothed In Gold, obviously :))?: “Some of my favorite clothing lines besides Clothed in Gold include Torrid, Rue 21, and Layne Bryant. Unfortunately, there are the only clothing stores that hold my size, so I don’t have much choice when it comes to buying clothes.” Why did you choose to work at Clothed In Gold?: “I chose to work at Clothed In Gold because of their mission statement. As a plus sized women, I wanted to work for a company that not only supported me, but also women like me. By working in a healthy and supportive environment, it makes me enjoy my work even more. Granted, I did get to have input and really help craft this statement, but I am proud of what Jo is accomplishing with this. My favorite quotation from the mission of Clothed in Gold focuses on their goal of providing affordable clothes for everyone, “a place to shop that promotes creativity, empowerment, and individualism through style and fashion at an affordable price.” Even if stores have plus size clothing, most of it is extremely expensive to the point where you cannot buy the clothes you need. By having Clothed in Gold provide affordable clothing for all women, there is no longer the worry of walking out of a store with nothing but frustration. They create such a welcoming space, that you can’t help but keep coming back.” What is your favorite quotation that encompasses the importance of fashion?: "People will stare. Make it worth their while." —Harry Winston I owe everything to Jenna. Come meet this incredible woman any day this following week. We are so excited to have her with us and for her to help style you soon! Stay Golden Welcome back to another #TeamTuesday! We are so thankful for all the hardworking sales associates who are dedicated to the heart of Clothed In Gold's Mission: making boutique shopping a pleasant experience that promotes creativity, empowerment, and individualism through style and fashion at an affordable price.
Today is all about Bryn! Bryn is currently a senior in college and comes to us from Edina, MN. Bryn is in charge of generating content for our social pages! We really wouldn't be able to run this store without her! Read below to find out more about Bryn and her fashion journey! Bryn's Style Guide Favorite fashion accessory?: "SHOES! I'll say it again, SHOES! God, I have so many of them and I keep buying more. I am a firm believer you can never have too many shoes! I love, love, LOVE shoes. " One clothing item you could never live without?: "Can I say shoes again!? Kidding! Actually, I would have to say my denim skirt. When you find the right fit for one, they are life changing!" Favorite color?: “I really love a good emerald green. There is something so regal about the color. I always feel so sophisticated and high class whenever I wear the color. I also think it is just such a good color for my complexion! I kid you not, half of the tops I own are some shade of green." Jeans or sweatpants?: "I am currently in love with jeans! I used to HATE them. Literally, I don't think I used to own more than 2 pairs. But now, I can hardly fit them all into my closet! Especially flare jeans, OMG, I CANNOT get enough of them! So many "older" styles are coming back into trend, and I am LOVING it! " What is your favorite fashion season?: "Summer Fashion! I am someone who loves to be outside and soak up as much sun as I can, and I think that summer fashion really allows me to feel free and cute at the same time. There is something so wonderful about being able to dress up my favorite denim skirt with a stylish tank top for an evening out, or to pair it with some Birkenstocks and a band t-shirt for errands around town! I also just love beach wear and I can really only wear that in the summer here! :)" You’re never fully dressed without what item?: “A cardigan! I am always super cold, so I started carrying one around with me everywhere I go! I love the different styles and even eras of cardigans. I have so many of them, it's kinda ridiculous!" How fashion has brought a change in your life?: “From a young age, I always felt that fashion and the clothing industry just really wasn't something I would ever feel comfortable in. I never liked shopping and dreaded having to try clothes on when given to me as a gift. It wasn't until I started following plus-size YouTubers and bloggers in middle school that I discovered there was a whole world of style and individualism waiting for me. I thought that fashion was closed off to me because I didn't see myself represented in the stores, but I just had to dig a little deeper. Which I know is a problem, because we shouldn't feel like we have to hide. Once I started developing a sense of confidence and style by emulating what I was watching, my self-esteem just skyrocketed. I love wearing loud, bold prints and colors. I love wear crop tops and bodycon dresses. I am now able to pick pieces that I feel good in and fit. That is never something I thought I would get to have. It's liberating, really. What are some of your favorite clothing brands (besides Clothed In Gold, obviously :))?: "I love Boohoo, ASOS, Forever21, Target, and SHEIN. Sometimes I find some pretty good steals at American Eagle. I also just LOVE thrifting. I do a lot of my shopping online, and there are other random online boutiques that I love, I'm just blanking on their names at the moment." Why did you choose to work at Clothed In Gold?: "For the longest time, I never felt comfortable stepping foot into a boutique. I almost felt embarrassed that I was going to humor myself into thinking there might be something in these stores for me. Clothed In Gold never once made me feel that way. From the moment I heard about the business, to my first time shopping, to eventually becoming an employee; there was support, comfortability, and transparency that no other stores have given me. It is such a safe space and I was able to build such great connections even just shopping here. It really feels like this store is giving bodies like mine their time to shine, and I really love that. I needed to work here to be sure I helped exuded as much support and empowerment that this business gave to me!" What is your favorite quotation that encompasses the importance of fashion?: "I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world." - Bette Midler Stop by Clothed In Gold Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week to meet Bryn! She is so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to style you soon! Stay Golden We are so honored to have the opportunity each week to sit down with individuals who help us continue our goal of creating authentic connections with customers and community members. At Clothed In Gold, we hope that we can use fashion as a way to not only empower, but educate and inspire our followers. Staying true to fashion, our guest for this week's Education Monday feature embodies the individual Clothed In Gold strives to provide accessible fashion for. Hearing from Lance and Courtney one the last two weeks has provided us with incredible insight and depth to the issues they care so deeply about. We are so excited to have another strong advocate on board to share her personal fashion journey with us, and provide some great insight on making fashion accessible both size wise and financially! Today's Education Monday feature is Alyna Kleinwolterink. Alyna recently graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and is currently working as a paraprofessional in the Fargo school district! I have had the privilege of getting to call Alyna a dear friend throughout our time in college together. Alyna excuses joy, positivity, and strength in everything she does and it has been an honor to listen to her speak on her fashion journey! She is energetic, intelligent, hilarious, stylish, and authentically herself! Check out the incredible interview we had with her! We highly recommend checking out the segment that starts at 28:35 where Alyna talks to us about accessible fashion meaning both financially and size wise! I had the opportunity to sit down with Alyna to discuss her fashion journey and listen to her advocacy on how the fashion industry needs to make "plus-size" clothing accessible both financially and through size inclusivity. Below you can find her interview! Be sure to check out the whole interview, but we especially love the second video segment where Alyna talks to us more about her hunt for accessible fashion! We so loved getting to sit down with Alyna to hear about her fashion journey, and we hope it is educational and empowering for all who watch! Stay Golden Welcome back to another #TeamTuesday! We are so thankful for all the hardworking sales associates who are dedicated to the heart of Clothed In Gold's Mission: making boutique shopping a pleasant experience that promotes creativity, empowerment, and individualism through style and fashion at an affordable price.
Today is all about Sandra! Sandra is an elementary teacher and a mother of two. She loves fashion and works with us part time as a sales associate. She comes to us from Lake Park, MN. Sandra facilitates the connection between vendors and our store to ensure we have the latest fashion inventory in stock! Read below to find out more about Sandra and her fashion journey! Sandra's Style Guide Favorite fashion accessory?: "Earrings! They add so much to an outfit. There is so much variety to them and local artists I love to support!" One clothing item you could never live without?: "Black pants. They go with so many things and it is a flattering color on many bodies. They are so wearable, whether you do long pants, ankle pants, shorts, capris; you can find black in a variety of lengths!” Favorite color?: “Blue! It is such a pretty color. It is very calming to me and half my closet is filled with the color blue! I have always been drawn to it; my bridesmaids dresses were blue because I just love it so much and wanted to incorporate it into our special day as much as possible!" Jeans or sweatpants?: "Oooo, depends! It really depends the mood I'm in for the day and the event I'm going to! I like to be comfy so at home, you will most likely find me a sweats. I honestly don't wear that many jeans, but if I find a pair that fits well, I wear them EVERYWHERE! " What is your favorite fashion season?: "Spring Fashion. I get tired of wearing the heavy sweaters constantly in the winter, so it's nice to be able to break out the lighter weight wardrobe. I like the styles because there is a little bit of sleeve coverage and I'm still a little self conscious about sleeveless, so this is a great way to transition into the warmer weather while I still feel confident in my appearance! I like being able to wear dresses and skirts and not be cold. Spring fashion season just brings an airy, lighter, happy feeling to my wardrobe." You’re never fully dressed without what item?: “A bra. I know that makes people laugh when I say it, but it's true! I would never feel dressed without it. For me, they are necessary for me to feel confident and comfortable. Honestly, you wouldn't catch me dead out in public without one!" How fashion has brought a change in your life?: “Fashion gives me confidence. It gives an impression that is fun, flirty, whimsical, and so versatile. I like classy fashion, not necessarily "trendy" fashion. Trendy, I feel is more not the young side and changes very quickly; like holes in the jeans or crop tops. You know, the latest styles. Whereas classy fashion, I feel is a more overall statement about you as a woman. Classy fashion is not just one blouse or one top- it is the entire outfit; shoes, accessories, everything. I think if it is classy fashion, you probably can mix and match those pieces a little more than you can with trendy clothes." What are some of your favorite clothing brands (besides Clothed In Gold, obviously :))?: "Well, we'd have to do Chico's! I love the LOFT and ANN TAYLOR brand. I love White House Black Market. I am also really drawn to CJ Banks, depending on what it is! I like these brands because they seem to fit my body type better than others. The clothing also seems to hold up better than others. I'm not a "dry clean only" type of shopper, so I need to be able to wash my own clothes! Why did you choose to work at Clothed In Gold?: "I chose to work at Clothed In Gold because it is exciting to have a boutique in the area that specifically reaches out to the plus size community. For most of my life, I have been plus size and it has been discouraging to go into department stores and find the plus size section way in the back; no where close to other clothing. It may be close to the toys and appliances, but not next to other women fashion sections. So instead of hiding people, Clothed In Gold celebrates these individuals of all bodies types. This is something that the plus size community doesn't experience that often, if ever, and that is why I knew I had to work here!" What is your favorite quotation that encompasses the importance of fashion?: "Fashion is very important. It is life-enhancing, and like everything that give pleasure, it is worth doing well."- Vivienne Westwood Stop by Clothed In Gold Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week to meet Sandra! She is so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to style you soon! Stay Golden This week, we continue our goal of creating authentic connections with customers and community members. At Clothed In Gold, we hope that we can use fashion as a way to not only empower, but educate and inspire our followers. Staying true to fashion, our guest fo this week's Education Monday feature embodies the individual Clothed In Gold strives to provide accessible fashion for. We gained so much first hand knowledge and stories from Courtney last week, and we are so excited to have another strong advocate on board to share his personal fashion journey with us, and provide some great insight to the industry and changes he wishes to see! Today's Education Monday feature is Lance Morlock. Lance is currently a junior at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. I have had the privilege of getting to call Lance a dear friend throughout our time in college together. Lance is creative, intelligent, charismatic, hilarious, authentic, inspiring, talented, and a terrific advocate for his community! I was so excited when Lance agreed to sit down and talk with us. He is somebody who embodies empowerment and confidence daily! I had the opportunity to sit down with Lance to discuss his fashion journey and how he uses up-cycling to reimagine fashion to fit his style. Below you can find his interview! Be sure to check out the whole interview, but we especially love the third video segment where Lance talks to us more about his thrifting projects! We so loved getting to sit down with Lance to hear about his fashion journey, and we hope it is educational and empowering for all who watch! Stay Golden Welcome back to another #TeamTuesday! We are so thankful for all the hardworking sales associates who are dedicated to the heart of Clothed In Gold's Mission: making boutique shopping a pleasant experience that promotes creativity, empowerment, and individualism through style and fashion at an affordable price. Today is all about Ian! Ian is in their first year as a graduate student in the area and comes to us from Burlington, Vermont. Ian creates all the store displays and hand knits a lot of our winter accessory collection! Read below to find out more about Ian and their fashion journey! Ian's Style Guide Favorite fashion accessory?: "Belts, belts, belts! Give me ALL the belts! " One clothing item you could never live without?: "Skirts. There is something so freeing about them. And they are SO versatile! I can wear a t-shirt, sweater, and even a button up with them. I LOVE skirts. ” Favorite color?: “Yellow! Yellow just reminds me of warmth and summer and kindness, which is something I really try to incorporate into my everyday life; the color and the human characteristics!" Jeans or sweatpants?: "Sweatpants but it has to be a matching lounge set. I am IN love with the new sweat sets we have in store!" What is your favorite fashion season?: "Spring Fashion. I have always loved spring because something about the rebirth of the earth after it has been dreary and cold for so long is really metaphorical to me and resonates deep with my personhood. I believe spring fashion is the time we come back alive and can evolve ourselves stylistically from the drab of the winter in this godforsaken tundra. ;)" You’re never fully dressed without what item?: “A scarf. I know, I know- sounds like an old lady! But I think scarves are SO beautiful and can add this whimsical look to any outfit that isn't matched with any other fashion piece. I also just love makeup and face art, so I'm never fully dressed without some form of my face being made-up or covered in abstract art pieces.” How fashion has brought a change in your life?: “Growing up, I never got the opportunity to really feel that anything on my body fit my personality. I knew for a long time that I wanted to wear all the clothing that is available, and not be restricted to a certain section of the store. That's hard to do when the world sees you as one thing, but you see yourself as something completely different. I would watch New York Fashion Week on my little TV that I had in my room back in Vermont and think, 'I love that dress and I love those jeans, and oh wow I would really rock a suit like that.' And then I decided that if I wanted to be happy, I was going to wear whatever I wanted. Understanding that fashion doesn't have boundaries really opened so many doors for me artistically, but also personally. I am a stronger person now that I get to change my look day to day. I am so grateful to have a form of art expression that is starting to be fluid and accepting of people like me. Fashion is meant to be outside of the box and push the boundaries of what is "acceptable" currently. I love the never ending evolution of fashion, and I feel like that really speaks to who I am as a person. I am always changing with the times. For better, I hope. :)" What are some of your favorite clothing brands (besides Clothed In Gold, obviously :))?: "For a long time, I really struggled to find clothes that fit right AND made me feel empowered. Like I said earlier, it's hard growing up loving all fashion, but being told I could only wear clothes from this section because that is what was expected of me. Now I have the opportunity to shop anywhere--okay not ANYWHERE--but I have really fallen in love with the stores I shop at the most often. I my top stores are ASOS, Target, Nordstrom Rack, Gap, Banana Republic, and Halberstadts. Honestly, I just love that I now feel confident enough in myself to walk into any store and think I could maybe wear any item of their inventory! I am no longer afraid to use fashion to express my identity. Why did you choose to work at Clothed In Gold?: "This is the one store in the community that welcomes bodies and people like me. Being nonbinary, I get gawked at every time I walk into a store that doesn't fit how society perceives my body to be boxed in. I love fashion, and I don't think it should be restricted to "male" and "female" sections. It's just clothes and once you get over that, you can enjoy expression so much easier. Clothed In Gold provided me the space to feel confident, and also own who I am and what I have to bring to the fashion world. I feel like I have grown into my skin so much more now that I work here, and I know that the support in this store is reaching others in the community who need a space just like I did. What is your favorite quotation that encompasses the importance of fashion?: "Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes." —Diana Vreelan Stop by Clothed in Gold Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday this week to meet Ian! They are so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to style you soon! Stay Golden When we started the journey of creating Clothed In Gold as a business in the Fargo/Moorhead area, something we set out to achieve was authentic connection with our customers and community members. One of the ways we wanted to achieve this was through education. Our biggest mission is to make fashion accessible to bodies who have the hardest time finding clothing, and we wanted to know why the fashion industry is still excluding these individuals. After brainstorming ideas as a team, we came up with a series idea that we would produce weekly called Education Monday's. The goal of this series is to get first hand knowledge and stories from plus size individuals who are strong advocates for accessible fashion in the community. The individuals we reached out to belong to the Fargo/Moorhead community, have been a part of the Fargo/Moorhead community previously, or are a part of the plus size fashion community in their respective areas. Our first interview was done with Courtney Hanson. Courtney is a senior at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. I have had the honor of knowing Courtney and the incredible advocacy work she is doing in the collegiate forensic community. Courtney is intelligent, funny, charming, positive, empowering, talented, and authentic. After we brainstormed the idea of the Education Monday's series, I knew that she was someone that Clothed In Gold would love to sit down and have a conversation with. Courtney is someone who has been promoting body positivity and "fat acceptance" since longer than I have known her. She is someone who is authentically herself and she aims to create an environment, both in person and online, that advocates for bodies like hers; but also all bodies. I had the opportunity to sit down with Courtney last Thursday to discuss her fashion journey and how she sees her advocacy work evolving once she graduates from the collegiate forensics scene. Below you can find her interview! Be sure to check out the whole interview, but we especially love the second video segment where Courtney talks to us more about her advocacy work! We so loved getting to sit down with Courtney to hear about her fashion journey, and we hope it is educational and empowering for all who watch! Stay Golden Today is #TeamTuesday! This business would not be possible without all the hardworking sales associates who are dedicated to the heart of Clothed In Gold's Mission: making boutique shopping a pleasant experience that promotes creativity, empowerment, and individualism through style and fashion at an affordable price.
Meet Izzy! Izzy is a rising sophomore in college and comes to us from sunny Santa Monica, CA. She is the heart of our community outreach team. Read below to find out more about this incredible woman! Izzy's Style Guide Favorite fashion accessory?: "Barretts, obvi!" One clothing item you could never live without?: "Dresses. I LOVE dresses!” Favorite color?: “Almost all of my clothes are lilac! BIG purple girl over here! Jeans or sweatpants?: "Okay, I know people really hate jeans-- but I LOVE them. Once you find the right fit and style, there is no going back! I could wear denim all day every day if possible. But of course, sweats are nice to lounge in. :)" What is your favorite fashion season?: "Fall Fashion. There are SO many options to layer and ways to mix and match pieces. I love wear a sweater over a summer dress to make it look like two separate pieces. And then if I get hot in the afternoon, I can just whip my sweater off and I still am rocking the dress!" You’re never fully dressed without what item?: “OOOH! So hard to pick. I’m going to say I never leave the house without a pair of white sneakers and my Kate Spade handbag. And also a mask! #maskupND!” How fashion has brought a change in your life?: “To me, fashion is a way that I can express my creativity, but also connect with people from all walks of life! I discovered my love for fashion really early on in my life, and I think, no I KNOW, it gave me an outlet to be creative and express my identity from an early age. I would not be who am I today if I did not find fashion. And there is no one “right” way to fashion. That is the beauty of it! You can mix and match, wear the same thing for days, or completely change your style! There is so much love I have for fashion and I want everyone to have the opportunity to obtain access to pieces that allow them to express themselves, and make connections through their style! What are some of your favorite clothing brands (besides Clothed In Gold, obviously :))?: "For a long time, I really struggled to find clothes that fit right AND made be feel empowered. Coming from California, it is the epicenter of thin and clean living. I know that is a generalization, but being in a state where the sun is almost always shining and beaches are around virtually every corner; that also means there is a lot of pressure to have a "bikini body" year round. Like what does that even mean!? All bodies are bikini bodies. It wasn't until I found Loud Bodies that I was able to find clothes I REALLY loved. What is so wonderful about LOUD BODIES is that they are sustainable, affordable, and carry such a wide range of sizes-- XXS-10XL! This type of shop is really rare to come about, because they cater to ALL bodies, and are even willing to custom build pieces that don't fit the ranges they have. I found that to be really cool. No other brand that I know of does that. I also really love Boohoo, LOFT, and Torrid! Why did you choose to work at Clothed In Gold?: "Because this community has nothing like our business. While I love stores like LOFT and Boohoo, all of their plus-size fashion is online. I can't go into the stores here in town and find boutique fashion for bodies like mine. Clothed in Gold not only carries up to size 40 in-stores, but we also are dedicated to helping customers find items online if we are out of stock. Online isn't the only option for individuals in the Fargo/Moorhead plus size community anymore. That is what I love about this store. I don't feel like a second class citizen when it comes to fashion here." What is your favorite quotation that encompasses the importance of fashion?: "Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live." --Gianni Versace Stop by Clothed in Gold Wednesday and Friday this week to meet Lizzy! She is so excited to be a part of this team and can’t wait to style you soon! Stay Golden First and foremost, thank you for supporting our endeavors to create a space for plus-size fashion to exist in Fargo! Having lived and shopped in the Fargo/Moorhead area over the past four years, we noticed the lack of options plus-size women have in the shopping district. We founded Clothed in Gold in hopes of creating a space that promotes creativity, individualism, and empowerment through fashion. At Clothed in Gold, we see fashion as semi-permanent art that should be accessible to everyone. We know that fashion is constantly evolving, being influenced by real-world events and news, representative of various cultures and identities; all of which can change daily based on the persona you wish to create for yourself. Fashion is all about handpicking items that represent YOU, and selecting items that allow you the flexibility to mold and create outfits that range from bold to sexy to whimsical and everything in-between! It's as easy as adding a necklace, layering a turtleneck and silky camisole, or wearing a sweater over your favorite summer dress to transition into the colder months. The fashion industry is influenced by YOU, and we are here to be your one-stop-shop for all things surrounding plus-size fashion.
Before starting out on this journey, we asked ourselves "Is the need strong enough in the Fargo/Moorhead community for a plus-size boutique?" We did our research and found a 2016 study conducted by the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education that reveals that the average size of a woman in the United States today is a 16. This study highlights that people don't stop at size 12, and neither should the sizes carried in stores across the nation. Everyone deserves to walk into a store knowing they can find something in there for themselves, and our goal is to make boutique shopping a pleasant experience that lifts confidence and customer connection. Fashion is a tool we utilize to help educate, inspire, promote, and influence our community surrounding the importance of plus-size representation in boutique stores. Clothed in Gold is passionate about being a business that understands fashion as a story that is unique to each of our clients. Welcome to Clothed in Gold, we can't wait to start styling you soon! Stay Golden Jo Founder of Clothed in Gold |
Clothed In Gold* a fake business for educational purposes* Archives
December 2020
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