April Madden Studio, The Slow Fashion Walk, Uncategorized

Boho Chic With April Madden: The July Slow Fashion Walk

by terrigardner1

Well okay, I’m wondering, where did June go?  Fly by it did, though, and now it’s time to share our First Friday in July, slow fashion walk. What I happily want to share, dear readers, is a look from a local Kansas City designer, April Madden of April Madden Studio.

Photo1

April uses vintage Indian Sari and ethnic textiles to create one of a kind pieces. She is one of the most elegant up-cycle designers that I know. Her pieces appeal to my hippy chic side. This top is created from a vintage sari; the front and back are different. It is like I have two tops in one!

Photo2

I can’t decide which side I prefer. Mustard yellow and a dusty violet are superbly mixed in this print. To me, these two color wheel complements are maybe the hardest to use together. However, when each color has been either darkened or lightened, they can be a very striking combination.

Photo3

Here I wear my April Madden with a pair of purple/brown leggings. I guarantee I will wear this super comfortable outfit when the kids come this weekend for a our family 4th of July/birthday (mine) fling.

Not My Only April Madden

Below is a dress April created from a silk and gold metallic thread sari. I just feel so elegant in it!

AprilMadden

April also creates prints using antique wood printing blocks–which I find fascinating. Below is an example of a black shirt with gold prints. Further below is April holding one of her antique printing blocks. Can you see how she uses the block to print out a circle design?

womaninblack

April&Block

 

Being Inspired

Most of you know about my DIY tendencies. So…I’ve wondered if one could find a vintage sari. Of course! On eBay, I won my auction for $16 (no shipping) but had to wait about three weeks to get it shipped from New Delhi, India. As if on cue, it arrived today, the very day I’m putting together this post. I’m pretty excited to just have it, five yards of gorgeous fabric. I’m contemplating making a Caftan but am in no hurry to make any decisions.

cloth

I’ve finished my walk for today. Now it is time to have all of you share any Instagram photos or blog photos of anything you think is slow fashion. Here’s just a few ideas: thrifted, locally made, Fair Trade, DIY, traded, borrowed and just been in your closet forever (or a least 10 years). I look forward to see what everyone been up to.

To get in the spirit of things I created a collage the wonderful slow fashionistas that linked up in June.

BloggerCollageJuly18

If you don’t follow any of these ladies, you are missing out on great inspirations. They are:

It’s now time to start our new Slow Fashion Walk for July. It starts today and stays open until July 31st.

twodifftypeslogo

To link up, Just click the blue button below and it will take you to a new page. Copy your URL, crop your photo and that is just about it.

Visit some of the other bloggers and above all else have some fun.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Michael gets credit for the photos of me and editing. If you spot a mistake, it’s his fault.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

namemistrial

 

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29 thoughts on “Boho Chic With April Madden: The July Slow Fashion Walk”

    1. Thanks Bernadette,

      Saris are so beautiful and I never even thought about trying to get one myself until last month.

      It will be simple but caftans are simple. That’s why there are so many DIY caftans on the web and I guess I’ll be adding another one.

      The wide border will definitely be on the front. I will cut a sample one from old bed sheets to check the fit and take it from there. I’m not cutting into this thing until I know 100% what I’m doing!

      Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. That’s such a fabulous idea to make the top different on each side!! I absolutely love that!!
    I added to the party again with my polo shirt. It’s actually a man’s polo shirt that I thrifted and then added lace to it to make it more feminine!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. I though the two sided was a wonderful idea too. I didn’t think to ask April if she she did that with just one sari or coordinated two.I need to ask her that next time I see her.

      Thank you for linking up. I haven’t worn a polo shirt in years. During the 80’s I had one in every color you could think off.
      Terri
      xox

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  4. Pingback: Big Bold Polka Dots | fashion with compassion

  5. Great post Terri! Gorgeous top and it’s fantastic that you can wear it backwards for a different look. Love how April up-cycles Saris! I love Indian prints, so colourful and unique. I’ve had the opportunity to wear two Saris (loaned to me to do Indian dances at an Indian celebration).

    I’m glad you won the auction on eBay, I’m sure you’ll make something special with it.

    The collage is such a nice way to group us together! Thank you for taking the time to make it. The post I added to July’s linkup is a thrifted polka dot top that I bought for $2.99.

    Slow is the way to go!
    ❤️carmen

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    Reply

    1. Thank you for linking up, Carmen. I wanted you to tell Jean that is she ever has great photos on IG about her shop, she is welcome to link up.

      I was pretty excited about winning the auction. This will be my first time working with a sari. I think I know how I want it to look.

      And yes, slow is the way to go. I will admit, my last post wasn’t very slow minded-but I wanted that blue and white stripped shirt.

      Terri
      xox

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      Reply

  7. Terri, how wonderful! I so wish I was a seamstress so I could upcycle all sorts of things. I love the idea of upcycling saris. They come in so many beautiful colors and prints. I am excited to see what you create! And thanks so much for sharing the links to all of these fabulous blogs (mine included..yay)!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    Reply

    1. Hi, Shelbee
      Thanks for dropping by and linking up. Recycling doesn’t always involve sewing, but, I have to admit, more than likely it does. I’m not sure where on the east coast you live, but around here there are quite a few chances to learn simple sewing techniques. Joann’s always has something going on.I would imagine that Craftsy even has an online beginning course-they seem to have courses for everything under the sun.
      Take care, Terri
      xox

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  8. Well, I’m running behind – as always! I missed the First Friday, but will make a point of getting it linked in yet.
    This is a wonderful post, Terri! These are just amazing pieces! And you wear them so elegantly! What a gifted artist she is! I look forward to seeing more of her pieces from you. And, even more so, CAN”T WAIT to see what you do with YOUR sari!

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    Reply

    1. Hi, Ronnie, I agree and April is pretty unique and she is personally a sweetheart. Her pieces are wonderful but three pieces are enough for me right now. I’m itching to work on my caftan idea but have a few things to get done first. But, I say, within the next year I will have something.

      Remember, it just starts 1st Friday but goes on all month.

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  9. Pingback: Holidays and vacations – what do you like to do? | Frugal fashion shopper

    1. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with a sari. I didn’t think about how to find mine own until last month and came up with this one. I know I will go back to Sanskriti to window shop because she is so reasonable and no shipping. Terri xox

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    1. Thank you Patti. My title for her is The KC Queen of Upcycle. And her prices are reasonable for one of a kind pieces. Thanks for always linking up to The Slow Fashion Walk.

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    1. Thank you Penny. It is probably good that I just now figured out that I can get my own vintage sari and India sourced cloth. This could be very dangerous territory for me LOL!

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  13. I also included my friend, Lesley in her kimono for your link party. She joined us on the blog while Nancy is on sabbatical, and she thrifted this kimono many years ago.
    Jodie

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  14. You look so lovely and relaxed in these shots! I hope you are having a lovely July. Thanks for hosting the linkup. Please do stop by and join my #chicandstylish #linkup every Thursday. Jacqui Mummabstylish

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    Reply

    1. Time go so quickly doesn’t it? I’, only writing two posts a month now, so I know it’s easy to forget that I am going this link up. Love that you’ve always supported me in this slow fashion things. xox Terri

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