It's a Small World, By: Louise Sleigh

Catwalk Creative Vintage

I am reposting a few of my blogger friends' posts this week whom have written lovely words about The Compassion Fashion Project on their own venues.  I am lucky to be in the position to meet such talented and creative people while pursuing my philanthropic efforts through fashion.  I met Louise Sleigh at Independent Fashion Bloggers and she is such an amazing talent.  She is the editor of  her vintage blog Catwalk Threads, a contributing writer for several online publications including the U.K. Etsy blog "Storque" and the leading magazine "The Fashion Birdcage", and an active member of The Vintage Fashion Guild.  Oh, and did I mention she owns her own online vintage clothing boutique, Catwalk Creative Vintage.  I would advise anyone with an affection for fashion a la' vintage to check out both of her gorgeous websites and relish the unique nature of threads of yesteryear.

I don’t know about you but I just love the world wide web.  Corny as it might sound, it has opened a whole new world to me.  If it hadn’t been for the internet, I wouldn’t have set up my own successful business and I certainly wouldn’t have met the many wonderful people I have over the last few years.  As a result of my online presence, I now have an international client base from Europe to Australia and beyond and know many vintage fashion professionals who are a constant source of inspiration.  Who’d have thought?
Anyway, today has been a good one.  Thank you universe! I’ve had a pretty relaxed day with some good sales and was just catching up with some emails when I came across a ‘friend request’ from a fellow member of Independent Fashion Bloggers.  It was from Meredith of The Compassion Fashion Project. Perhaps it was the name, but I just felt compelled to find out more.  As soon as I read what they are about, my thoughts went instantly to my dear friend, Veronica, of Some Like it Vintage. She had a hideous life experience with her ex-partner some time back and I thought she would be interested in learning about The Compassion Fashion Project.
Well, all I can say is that it’s a very small world because within a couple of minutes of reading this wonderful blog, I’d found "Veronica's Story".  It just goes to show how amazing the world-wide-web really is.  Never in a million years would I have ever known about Veroncia or heard her story.  In addition, I wouldn’t have known what good work is being done by projects such as this. So, without further ado, here is exactly what The Compassion Fashion Project is all about:

“The objective of The Compassion Fashion Project is to bring awareness to the issue of domestic violence and promote the healing process for the victims through providing fashionable clothing, especially professional attire, accessories, and personal care products. We are just a couple of gals trying to save the world, which can be a daunting task in stilletos! If you have a story about domestic violence…we want to hear it.  If you would like to empower yourself and inspire others please send any letters, stories, articles, poems, artwork, or whatever your creative outlet is to thecompassionfashionproject@gmail.com and we may feature you on our blog.”

I would urge anyone, anywhere, to contact The Compassion Fashion Project if you have been affected by, have a story to share about domestic violence or wish to contribute in some way. -Louise Sleigh

 

          Go visit Louise's Blog and Online Boutique:

Catwalk Threads

Catwalk Creative Vintage

This Week's Challenge: Support a Domestic Violence Survivor "Retro-Style"

Purchase this dress at SomeLikeitVintage.com.

Some designers and clothiers get mired in the frivolty of the fashion industry, never reaching the dark recesses of their creative minds where the great work hides.  This is not so for Veronica Cizmar whose horrific story, read here,  has spurred her to do great things in her own life as well as the lives of others.  Featured in "Romantic Homes Magazine," "Hollywood Weekly E!," and "Northern Virginia Magazine," Cizmar is the proud owner of the online store, Some Like it Vintage, where she takes the garments of yesteryear and turns them into cinematically romantic threads for today's most stylish of fashion fanciers.  She also has her own clothing line called Creative Vintage, fashioning retro reruns into chic designs with a modern twist.  Fashionista as she may be, Cizmar has turned the sometimes frivolous world of fashion into a platform for social purpose.  Each sale results in a 10% donation to women's shelters and causes.

Purchase this dress at SomeLikeitVintage.com.

SomeLikeitVintage.com specializes in women's and men's clothing from the 1930s to 1980s, new and modern items, home decor items, and her private label clothing line. Cizmar has courageously recovered from a severe abusive relationship. Held hostage by her fiancé for 16 months, he is now serving a 15 year sentence in a Canadian prison. Read her story in its entirety here!  Since launching in 2006, Cizmar currently fills her time with running SomeLikeitVintage.com, volunteering at a women's shelter, conducting self-defense seminars and training in martial arts. She holds an internationally recognized black belt in Wado Ryu karate. Oh, you go girl!



Purchase this item at SomeLikeitVintage.com.

 Adding to her humanitarian work, vintage is by default eco-friendly. Recycling clothing helps the environment by using little or no energy resources. Cizmar also uses bio-degradable products when possible for cleaning procedures.  A wonderful way for all of us to participate and show our altruistic side on a more global scale is by purchasing vintage and incorporating it into our daily wardrobe.

Symbolic to her own life, redesigning and reconstructing vintage garments extends them a second life. Putting a modern feel to a vintage garment while maintaining respect for its history could be considered quite a cathartic activity for us all. Items are carefully chosen to incorporate function, practicality, wearability, and style. The quality of vintage clothing often surpasses anything made today and is a fun and unique way to shop.

Purchase this piece at SomeLikeitVintage.com.

Cizmar is putting something beautiful in a world where she knows horror does truly exist.  Intent on spreading the message that women should earn their own livings and increase their self-confidence, she is commited to giving back while actively chasing her own dreams, even if they are decorative enough to enchant the most superfluous of the fashion industry.  She gives us all a new way of looking at philanthropy, not only in fashion, but in our day to day lives.

Veronica Cizmar's Shops

Some Like it Vintage

Etsy Shop



Purchase this coat at SomeLikeitVintage.com.