Hi friends!
I'd love for you to meet Keyla:
Disability advocate, nonprofit CEO, and ostomate model (basically ALL the awesome inspirational things).
Keyla had an important speaking engagement coming up in Washington DC, and wanted something special to wear that would represent her cause: advocating for people with disabilities. We created something amazing for her…here’s Keyla’s story:
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The backstory
Keyla is the CEO and founder of Connecting Pieces, a nonprofit organization "improving the lives of those impacted by gastrointestinal disorders, cancers, and ostomies by providing a safe space, resources, and support." She is herself a Crohn's Disease patient, ostomate, uterine cancer survivor, and carepartner/caregiver to one with disabilities.
Being able to go to Washington DC and promote this cause to legislators was an important moment for Keyla, and she knew it could be taken to the next level with the right outfit!
What to wear as an activist? Keyla visiting her Congressional representative (Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey) wearing her custom blazer.
Keyla’s message
With such an important event and a desire for continued long-term use, Keyla had a pretty multifaceted message she wanted to express:
"I want to support this specific community" and
"I want to spread awareness" and
"I own a business I'm passionate about" and
"I want to share important values like love, friendship, peace, and solidarity."
You may think combining all those abstract thoughts into one cohesive visual design on an outfit would be difficult. In fact, the process was easy and fun for both of us! Here’s how we did it:
Coming up with the perfect design
Every custom hand-painted piece starts with a 20 minute conversation over video call or at my home studio in Pawtucket. Keyla and I discussed the kind of clothing item she was interested in as well as design elements that appealed to her. We had a casual chat about things like:
-her business/branding,
-favorites (colors, flowers, symbols, animals, phrases), and
-the desired overall effect of the piece.
It's a very low-key and fun experience, just getting to know each other and throwing around all our thoughts about the project! Afterwards, we kept the conversation going through text so we could continue to narrow down ideas and share inspo images as they came to us.
Communication continues as ideas percolate.
These conversations leave me brimming with ideas every time. Within the next couple of days I had sketches to show Keyla. I loved discovering what she was most excited about and narrowing down to a final design plan!
A concept sketch after our intro conversation
I also sourced some secondhand clothing items that fit her preferences and measurements. From the options I shared with her, she chose a blazer and slacks set. I sketched out our design plan in real size on paper, and laid it over the clothing items so that Keyla could better visualize what the outfit would look like in the end. After some feedback and adjustments, it was time to start painting.
When the response to a design plan is “Yesssssss!” you know it’s go time!
Hand-painting the design with machine washable fabric paint.
Want to know what could be possible on your own custom hand-painted clothing piece?
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The finished piece
Keyla’s set conveyed a message in the language of flowers. Other design and color choices were inspired by both her personal style and her nonprofit's branding. We loved the idea of creating two pieces that worked well either separately or worn as a pair.
Here’s the break down:
Puzzle pieces motif: a nod to her nonprofit, Connecting Pieces
Some colors inspired by her brand colors: purple (also the color of crohn's disease awareness), yellow, and sage green.
Flowers on the blazer:
Goldenrod, representing
-encouragement, positivity, and growth
-Also known by its scientific name Solidago, meaning “to make whole”
Alstroemeria, representing
-Friendship and mutual support
-“I’m here for you through anything”
-“I want you to succeed”
Flowers on the slacks:
-Marjoram, representing joy and protection against negativity
-White Poppy, representing peace (peace from fighting and life without conflict), imagination, and dreams
-Pink Poppy, representing compassion and platonic love
-Orange Poppy, representing health and regeneration
The result
After a final iron set (to make sure the paint stays machine washable) and packing up, Keyla’s outfit was ready to be delivered and worn to her speaking engagement event!
The feedback for her experience was incredible. She told me her blazer received a great response and lots of positive attention. It was a perfect inspirational conversation starter!
What to wear as an Activist: What can this mean for you?
Achieve your own purpose-full fashion success story like Keyla! All you need to come to the table with is a desire to wear something special. My process will take care of the rest. 😊 Book your consult here:
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