Greetings from Angie of Angie B! Originals. My faithful Bitmoji and I are thrilled to share our first blog post! Okay…so my hair isn’t as thick as cartoon Angie (I wish) but I really do look like her otherwise. Please note this blog is meant to be entertaining. Clearly we’re living in a time where so many are suffering economically, physically and emotionally from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with racial injustice…far more important matters than any fashion blog post I might conjure up. The pandemic is real and it's not over. Friends of mine have lost close family members to this deadly illness. Black Lives Matter. Systemic racism and police brutality are ongoing. I come from a family with a proud history of service in law enforcement and strongly support those who actually do protect and serve. That being said, there's a lot of work to be done to our current system of policing before black folks can feel safe...anywhere. What's happening now takes me back to the days of the Rodney King protests when I lived in LA and marched in protest. I pray this time we'll get substantive change. I am supporting social justice reform and voter registration efforts undertaken by a coalition of organizations in my local community. So please know that while I am about to serve up some lighthearted blogging, I am very aware of the pain our nation is in and am doing my part to try and make things better. Please let me know if the following blog post was helpful and give me feedback on what you’d like me to write about next. PS…I’m working on samples for the Fall 2020 line. I’ll post some preview pics in a few weeks. Thanks…
Celebrities require an endless selection of clothing for events, performances and appearances. Early in my career I witnessed this need while working for an LA-based designer who dressed celebrity clientele. I’m seeing the need again as my company, Angie B! Originals, provides wardrobe and styling services for the multi-talented Cynda Williams. Cynda has been in the public eye as a singer and actress since her debut opposite Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s Mo' Better Blues. Currently she’s recording new music, producing a weekly podcast and protesting for racial justice.
Angie B! Originals celebrity client, Cynda Williams, in a retro-inspired day dress from Rent the Runway (Style DMN30). Vintage beaded handbag, earrings, shoes: stylist’s own. Watch, bracelet, shades: Cynda’s own.
Once upon a time, public figure's needs were met mainly by stylists who maintained relationships with designers who allowed them to borrow outfits and accessories for their clients. While that's still a popular avenue for many stars, there are alternatives available now that make it possible for anyone to dress like a celebrity. How? By using clothing subscription services like Rent the Runway (RTR), patronizing designer consignment boutiques and “shopping” in a friend or family member’s closet who has items they no longer need. Rent the Runway works like any subscription service starting at $69. Sign up for one of their monthly plans and let the shopping commence! Based upon how much you want to spend, and how often you want to receive new outfits, the subscription rate goes up accordingly. Everything is done online and you can even view photos of shoppers who have rented garments to see how they look on different body types. The shopper reviews are really helpful as they advise if a garment runs small or large. All categories of clothing from casual wear to red carpet worthy evening gowns can be had.
Whatever you select will arrive at your doorstep in a garment bag folded up like a briefcase for shipping. A prepaid UPS return shipping label is included for you to send the clothes back in once you're done. RTR handles dry cleaning so just load the clothes into the garment bag after you've worn them. When it's time to return simply drop off the shipping bag at your nearest UPS collection bin or service center. There's even an online sample sale section on the RTR website with garments up to 90% off such as a Nanette Lepore leopard print summer dress with a retail value of $378 that was marked down to $68 when this author browsed their offerings. The best part is your RTR subscription is totally flexible. You can pause or cancel the service whenever you like. This makes it possible to book the service to rent a designer gown for a special event, or any outfit for that matter, when you need it for a fraction of what it would cost to buy. Having used this service myself, I can share my experience with RTR by saying the items I selected arrived within the delivery time frame desired, the garments were pristine in appearance and cleanliness. After subscribing for a couple of months, I no longer needed their services and cancelled my subscription with no hassle. RTR is just one of many clothing subscription and stylist services. For additional options see: https://www.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/best-clothing-subscription-boxes.
Another way to dress like a celebrity is to shop from a designer consignment boutique. Savvy shoppers leave their designer outfits with the retailer to sell on their behalf. The clothing must be in excellent condition for the boutique to accept for resale. Even though the item may look or be brand new, the markdowns for shoppers are extreme. An added bonus is you can find one-of-a-kind items and vintage treasures. The only catch is sales are typically final with no returns so be certain you want the item before you buy it. In need of some extra cash? Check your closet to see if you have any items to put on consignment. The shop I frequent, Consignor Boutique, carries clothing as well as coats, furs, handbags, jewelry, scarves, gloves and even shoes.
Angie B! Originals re-imagined Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation look for a photo shoot with Cynda. Issey Miyake “secret compartments” vegan leather vest, pencil skirt, gloves: Consignor Boutique. Hat, shades, mesh top: stylist’s own. Earrings: Cynda’s own.
Now what about that shopping in other folk’s closets? Ladies…how many of you have at least three different sizes of garments on hand? I know I’m not the only one! My mom and I both happily shopped in my sister’s closet when she lost weight. I’ve gifted articles of clothing I could no longer get into or that I had (happily!) gotten too small to wear and seen others do the same so don’t be shy. Recycling and upcycling clothing is a win-win. Pay the love forward by blessing someone in need with items from your enlarged wardrobe. What about COVID-19? Should you fear donning apparel someone else has previously worn in the age of the virus? As a germaphobe, even when COVID-19 wasn't prevalent, I was taking consignment items I bought for dry cleaning or running them through the cycle of wash and dry before the clothes were to be worn. As previously noted, RTR dry cleans all their items when they receive them from customers but as an added precaution, I would let RTR outfits "air out" for a day before wearing but that’s just me. Everyone should take whatever precautions are believed necessary for peace of mind.
Cynda styled by Angie B! Originals in Afrocentric attire for her performance at The People’s Movement rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana to support Black Lives Matter. Caftan, vintage jewelry, hair ornament, mask: stylist’s own.
In summary, dressing like a celebrity can be an affordable option with the advent of subscription clothing services, consignment boutiques and the kindness of the universe. Even though we can’t go many places yet, eventually we’ll be out and about and by following these tips you’ll be looking like a superstar.
PS...Got a double-secret shopping venue that helps you dress like a celebrity that you're willing to share? If so, leave it in the comments section!
Cynda’s Instagram: cyndawill
Cynda's podcast: https://anchor.fm/cynda-williams/episodes/What-Is-Juneteenth-efjri0
Rent the Runway: https://www.renttherunway.com/
Consignor Boutique: 3516 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, (260) 484-6686
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