Creative Fashion Volunteer Co-op Project

Shoot the Fashion - Build Your Portfolio

Fashion Photo Shoot Paper Collage Collective work: Alvita Lozano, Salon Rehe, Kaley Hedric, Shannon McCarthy, Camille, LaMontagne, Trish Nguyen, and Sean Doerr at The Butcher's Daughter Art Gallery

This project is an example of an economically creative way to jump start cooperative volunteer projects with a specific focus. In this case, "FreeStyle In Detroit” along with a team of socially progressive up and coming talent have joined forces to do three things: Volunteer their time and skills, Celebrate Fashion in Detroit, and build a collective body of portfolio work.

The event: “FreeStyle In Detroit Fashion Portfolio Jam Session” is a one time event I have organized. It is an all volunteer cooperative team consisting of A Fashion Stylist (3 Stylist Assistants), Several Models, A team of Hair Stylist, A Makeup Artist, Several Photographers, and an Art Gallery Owner. All participants have little or no professional experience in Fashion.

This team is developing Fashion Photo Shoot experience, building new professional networks and creating a unique body of Fashion Portfolio Work. All team members will receive digital copies of the best shots for their individual portfolio use.

This is an “Idea” that any industry can use to build new networks of creative volunteer work.

“In this city in this recession, creative visionaries think outside of the box opening new doors not climbing old business structures. We need to work upside down and build new teams of people to move it forward. It seems everyone is vying for corporate sponsorship and government grant money which is great, however I say use what we have and that is creative talent, time and the power of unity. Let’s not wait on some kind of deliverance, let’s push together, create the swell in Detroit and put it on the International Fashion Map Grassroots Style. That is what FreeStyle In Detroit is all about".

Photos and team member write ups to follow....stay tuned. Meanwhile I encourage you to get out there and build volunteer networks and projects of your own...I'd love to hear about what you are doing in Fashion!

Shedding Style....A Curious Observation

Paintings by Artist: Gregory Siemasz

If you haven't noticed the growing Pet focused service market in America over the last decade you might not appreciate the Brilliant Whimsy of these paintings. Detroit Artist Gregory Siemasz is the mind and talent behind their creation. With his recent exhibit at Flip Hair Salon http://flipsaloninc.com/ "I should have been A Stylist" these paintings captured a wonderful mix of ideas in a distinctly humorous manner.

From a Style perspective I could not help but wonder about our common grooming experience. Who amongst us can ignore the needs and condition of our hair? Our Hair Stylist and Colorist are entrusted with it's health and beauty. We choose wisely and pay dearly don't we. It's worth it to have this help and expertise. It's relaxing and renewing to visit a salon and be groomed. Isn't that what our pets do every season? Some more than others of course. I'm told by conscientious dog owners that when they brush them out, it helps the natural shedding process and seems to be a form of message therapy.

Biologically we are told our cells reproduce and replace themselves everyday...so we understand CHANGE is in our DNA, even if only on a subconscious level. Perhaps our need for Novelty in fashion and style is a different form of natural transition, an outgrowth of our inner genetic evolution...it's one way to understand the drive.

Now that I think about it some owners and their dogs have an uncanny similarity in appearance. What is that?

Looking at these paintings transported me to an alternate fashion universe where I began to connect some obscure and wonderful dots. It certainly shed new light on the phrase "Animal Attraction" in a fun Beverly Hills Chihuahua kind of way.