Collaboration Event
Sunday, 3 March 2019
AUTHENTIC WARDROBE CULTIVATION
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A SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH MOLLY MCDONNELL/AKASA SERVICES
What is Authentic Wardrobe Cultivation?
Authentic Wardrobe Cultivation is not just about fashion. It offers an opportunity to think about ourselves and look at clothes as a means to identify and then express our aspirations of the moment. It enables us to build our story and then find the clothes that support it and that which encompasses our professional and personal development.
The process developed by Molly is one that is practical, mindful and also reduces overwhelm, confusion or dissatisfaction when it comes to what clothes to wear. This process allows us to take the time to better visualize the things we are drawn to, the realities of our lifestyle and where we want to head.
Doing this process is not an end goal; we don’t ever arrive at an ultimate state of final satisfaction because nothing is fixed. With this in mind, we can repeat over time this process as we ourselves are ever evolving.
Authentic Wardrobe Cultivation is not just about fashion. It offers an opportunity to think about ourselves and look at clothes as a means to identify and then express our aspirations of the moment. It enables us to build our story and then find the clothes that support it and that which encompasses our professional and personal development.
The process developed by Molly is one that is practical, mindful and also reduces overwhelm, confusion or dissatisfaction when it comes to what clothes to wear. This process allows us to take the time to better visualize the things we are drawn to, the realities of our lifestyle and where we want to head.
Doing this process is not an end goal; we don’t ever arrive at an ultimate state of final satisfaction because nothing is fixed. With this in mind, we can repeat over time this process as we ourselves are ever evolving.
SUMMARY
- The steps Molly and Anette have developed for cultivating an Authentic Wardrobe, are the same steps used throughout the authentic living coaching services offered by AKASA.
- The process involves the following steps: Reflection; Reimagine; Release; Rebuild; Refine; and Ritual.
- Molly guided the participants through each step.
- First and foremost, discussing and understanding what authenticity means for our self.
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In this event, Molly guided the participants through each step with incredible thoughtfulness, including her own experiences that helped create further understanding of what each step means and how to go about it. This included a discussion about what authenticity means for our self.
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In brief, each process can be understood as follows:
First is to set an intention prior to starting the steps.
First is to set an intention prior to starting the steps.
The Reflection step is about understanding where you are at this moment. Look at your current surroundings, inspirations, look inward at what are your daily life needs, interests, struggles, things that work and don’t work for you.
The Reimagining step is about what you would like to aspire to. Take into consideration tastes and lifestyle needs noted in the reflection step, and reimagine a new, elevated or more harmonious identity if that’s what you aspire to.
The Releasing step is to let go of anything that doesn’t match the new vision you have of yourself or support your current needs. Remind yourself if your choices match the picture you have envisioned for yourself.
The Rebuilding step is actively building your new identity working with the items you have consciously chosen to keep in your life, now that you have already let go of what no longer serves. Often is the case that more is possible with less, when what is there is self-affirming.
The Refining step is reflective of the fact that there is no end goal and that modifications are a process. This step enables you consider new additions into your wardrobe that further promote your intention and reimagined self, complimenting what you have already started to rebuild.
The Ritual step allows us to make the experience of getting dressed, wearing clothes more meaningful. For example, by bringing in more enjoyment in the morning or taking the time to focus on dressing without being distracted. It is also about celebrating the process which you just dedicated yourself to, and taking your newly elevated and more authentically expressive self out into the world and experience any changes in how you now interact with your environment.
The Reimagining step is about what you would like to aspire to. Take into consideration tastes and lifestyle needs noted in the reflection step, and reimagine a new, elevated or more harmonious identity if that’s what you aspire to.
The Releasing step is to let go of anything that doesn’t match the new vision you have of yourself or support your current needs. Remind yourself if your choices match the picture you have envisioned for yourself.
The Rebuilding step is actively building your new identity working with the items you have consciously chosen to keep in your life, now that you have already let go of what no longer serves. Often is the case that more is possible with less, when what is there is self-affirming.
The Refining step is reflective of the fact that there is no end goal and that modifications are a process. This step enables you consider new additions into your wardrobe that further promote your intention and reimagined self, complimenting what you have already started to rebuild.
The Ritual step allows us to make the experience of getting dressed, wearing clothes more meaningful. For example, by bringing in more enjoyment in the morning or taking the time to focus on dressing without being distracted. It is also about celebrating the process which you just dedicated yourself to, and taking your newly elevated and more authentically expressive self out into the world and experience any changes in how you now interact with your environment.
GETTING STARTED
Before starting the process, first and foremost it is important to clarify and set your intention of why you have chosen to do this. Intention can be anything you desire and it remains connected to the process you are doing at this time.
Before starting the process, first and foremost it is important to clarify and set your intention of why you have chosen to do this. Intention can be anything you desire and it remains connected to the process you are doing at this time.
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Reflection.
The reflection step has two parts; the first looks at inner/self and the second an exercise to see our self from the outside. The inner/self step started with sharing our style icons. It’s not only about the physical style of a person we admire but it can also be their personality, what someone is doing in their life or an attitude. For example, wanting more glamour in one's life and then finding visuals that help define what that actually looks like. Icons are not about copying. It’s about offering guidance, an arrow that points in a direction. Sharing these icons enabled further opportunities to help inspire us. |
Some examples shared: Nicole Richie (for style), Michelle Obama (for her personality), Dolly Parton (for what she represents), Winona Ryder (for attitude), etc.
Some words used: power, sexy, glamour, charming, easy, light-hearted.
Homework: Make a list of attributes that come to mind when you think of your icons and the people who catch your attention.
The second part is an opportunity to see how we are living our lives right now. To see from a ‘mirroring process’ what kind of lifestyle we are currently living. In this part we completed a survey but did so by asking our partners the questions. Sometimes it helps see ourselves clearer when we are being mirrored and in this case this means having what we say re-stated to us.
Some words used: power, sexy, glamour, charming, easy, light-hearted.
Homework: Make a list of attributes that come to mind when you think of your icons and the people who catch your attention.
The second part is an opportunity to see how we are living our lives right now. To see from a ‘mirroring process’ what kind of lifestyle we are currently living. In this part we completed a survey but did so by asking our partners the questions. Sometimes it helps see ourselves clearer when we are being mirrored and in this case this means having what we say re-stated to us.
Reimagining.
Homework is to create a mood board of what you want to embody. This can be done on Pinterest. A mood board helps physically put the mental images we have into a more tangible vision.
You can start by building mental images of where you want to strive towards. Make a list with these categories in mind: lifestyle, icon images, aesthetics and style.
Lifestyle includes: transportation, how you move around in your life (public transport, car, walking, etc). How do you get to work?
Icon images can include the attitude of a person you admire.
Aesthetics may become visible as a red thread when you are looking at your mood board such as you may notice you’re drawn to prints, or romantic pieces, or perhaps textures of materials, and particular colours or shapes.
Style can be the silhouette that you are drawn to such as high waists, tapered, over-sized or perhaps fitted clothing.
Homework is to create a mood board of what you want to embody. This can be done on Pinterest. A mood board helps physically put the mental images we have into a more tangible vision.
You can start by building mental images of where you want to strive towards. Make a list with these categories in mind: lifestyle, icon images, aesthetics and style.
Lifestyle includes: transportation, how you move around in your life (public transport, car, walking, etc). How do you get to work?
Icon images can include the attitude of a person you admire.
Aesthetics may become visible as a red thread when you are looking at your mood board such as you may notice you’re drawn to prints, or romantic pieces, or perhaps textures of materials, and particular colours or shapes.
Style can be the silhouette that you are drawn to such as high waists, tapered, over-sized or perhaps fitted clothing.
Release.
Release is now the part about going into your wardrobe, taking the work you have just done, and if possible having visibly available (i.e. putting your Pinterest on your screen or physical mood board next to you) and starting to work through each garment. It’s best to start with everyday clothing of the current season (next six months) and divide that into categories: tops, jackets, bottoms, outerwear, dresses, sweaters, etc.
Re-evaluate each piece and ask “does this garment currently fit in with my mood board?” Does it support the style, the taste, the colours, etc..? Do I feel confident when I wear it? Does it make me feel good, etc.
Release is now the part about going into your wardrobe, taking the work you have just done, and if possible having visibly available (i.e. putting your Pinterest on your screen or physical mood board next to you) and starting to work through each garment. It’s best to start with everyday clothing of the current season (next six months) and divide that into categories: tops, jackets, bottoms, outerwear, dresses, sweaters, etc.
Re-evaluate each piece and ask “does this garment currently fit in with my mood board?” Does it support the style, the taste, the colours, etc..? Do I feel confident when I wear it? Does it make me feel good, etc.
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Create a three-pile system:
YES – a definite yes. No doubt. MAYBE – this means it’s a yes but has an issue of why you’re not wearing it, for example it has to be ironed, a hole needs to be sewn, etc. Sometimes you aren’t ready to let go of a garment because of sentimental reasons or it’s not the right season. These pieces can be put into this pile and will be revisited in a few months time repeating this process. NO – it does not match what I’m striving to build. The no pile can then be donated, or sold or exchanged. Conscious RELEASE If you are looking for a sustainable way to discard any items collected in your RELEASE pile, feel free to contact local upcycling desginer Lore Ni Ta (lorepye@gmail.com), and she will pick up your items and integrate them in her designs. OR consider throwing your own clothing swap event with other friends interested in this process. As they say, one woman‘s trash is another woman's treasure! |
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Rebuilding.
Rebuilding is about looking at the YES pile and now playing. See what outfit options you can make. Take a photo of the combinations so you can refer back to them when you need to get dressed. Double check that these outfits support your lifestyle (i.e. can you ride your bike to work in it, does it allow you to go from work to evening, etc…). In addition, your total life needs to be taken into consideration: work, daytime, weekends and events/nights out/evenings, so that you have combinations for these moments.
You can upload your outfits to your Pinterest (keep on private mode if you want) so those days that you say you don’t know what to wear, by looking at your Pinterest it can remind you of your options and make it easy to choose from.
Rebuilding is about looking at the YES pile and now playing. See what outfit options you can make. Take a photo of the combinations so you can refer back to them when you need to get dressed. Double check that these outfits support your lifestyle (i.e. can you ride your bike to work in it, does it allow you to go from work to evening, etc…). In addition, your total life needs to be taken into consideration: work, daytime, weekends and events/nights out/evenings, so that you have combinations for these moments.
You can upload your outfits to your Pinterest (keep on private mode if you want) so those days that you say you don’t know what to wear, by looking at your Pinterest it can remind you of your options and make it easy to choose from.
Refine.
Refine is about working on the consistency of what you’ve built. If you realize in the rebuilding step that there is something missing that would tie in the pieces together, then this encourages conscious consumerism. It allows you to be clear of what and why you are purchasing. So that when you head out to the shops you can remain focused. Scroll to the bottom for a list.
Refine is about working on the consistency of what you’ve built. If you realize in the rebuilding step that there is something missing that would tie in the pieces together, then this encourages conscious consumerism. It allows you to be clear of what and why you are purchasing. So that when you head out to the shops you can remain focused. Scroll to the bottom for a list.
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Ritual.
Ritual is connected to the intention. It helps us be honest with ourselves of how we want to be seen in the world and take action to make this happen. So we need to celebrate our actions. For example, you can take your outfit out and celebrate this new identify. You can use every morning when you get dressed to turn into a ritual. Decide on some music or burn a candle. This is your time to enjoy. |
Sustainable shopping guide:
Local sustainable shops, including vintage and second hand:
GARMENTS
MOEON
Neu Zwei
Lena's Lovely Vintage
Online:
https://www.gatherandsee.com
https://folkdays.com
https://www.antibadstore.com
https://www.kindredblack.com
https://themakerbazaar.com/bazaar/
www.fineyellow.com
Further sustainable fashion inspiration sources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/londonsustainablefashion/
https://lessafair.com/
https://www.thelissome.com/
Local sustainable shops, including vintage and second hand:
GARMENTS
MOEON
Neu Zwei
Lena's Lovely Vintage
Online:
https://www.gatherandsee.com
https://folkdays.com
https://www.antibadstore.com
https://www.kindredblack.com
https://themakerbazaar.com/bazaar/
www.fineyellow.com
Further sustainable fashion inspiration sources:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/londonsustainablefashion/
https://lessafair.com/
https://www.thelissome.com/
Please note all proceeds of the workshop go to Molly to cover the costs of her expertise, the location and all other expenses contributing to providing a quality workshop.
Word of Mouth reaches out to experts in areas believed to be of interest and benefit to the community. If you are a specialist and would like to collaborate with Word of Mouth or if you have a suggestion for a workshop you'd be interested in, please share it with WOM.
Word of Mouth reaches out to experts in areas believed to be of interest and benefit to the community. If you are a specialist and would like to collaborate with Word of Mouth or if you have a suggestion for a workshop you'd be interested in, please share it with WOM.
