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The very name of this shop comes from punk rock power couple Lux Interior and Poison Ivy of The Cramps, an American punk/psychobilly band that formed in 1976 and were part of the early CBGB scene. The Cramps played a huge role in the development of "psychobilly". Poison Ivy's impact has often times been overshadowed by that of her husband's, although she has been called "The Queen of Psychobilly". Poison Ivy's music style, stage presence and incredible fashion sense have influenced me since my teen years and continue to inspire the shop's aesthetic.
Poison Ivy & Lux Interior in 1982
Lux & Ivy (the shop) first popped up at Vibes Music in 2013. This now-defunct record store in Broad Ripple was not only home to L&I's first brick and mortar space, but it is where the punk rock aesthetic of L&I was embraced. It is also where I met Sharon Rickson, founder of Girls Rock! Indianapolis, a nonprofit organization that hosts a summer camp for girls (including female-identified and trans youth), teaching young women positive self-esteem and self-expression through music. I fell in love with this organization and knew I had to get involved.
My first Record Store Day at Vibes, supporting Girls Rock! Indy.
My first big pop-up event at Vibes was Record Store Day of 2013, and I chose to give a % of profits to Girls Rock without knowing too much about the organization. That summer, I taught my first class on DIY Fashion at GRI camp, and my world was rocked by the impact that music was having on these kids. I knew I had to stay involved. Every year since, I've tried to make some kind of monetary contribution to this organization. This year, I decided to get more creative...
Abby Hart, lead singer and bassist of Mr. Clit & The Pink Cigarettes, is the real flippin deal. She's a talented artist and musician, huge supporter of other women in music, and she has one of the most unique styles I've ever seen. Yet her aesthetic reminds me in so many ways of Poison Ivy - both musically and sartorially.
Abby & Ayesha of Mr. Clit & The Pink Cigarettes
I also met Abby when Lux & Ivy rented a space inside of Vibes Music. Abby worked at the record store, and I was so drawn to energy and style. She's one of the sweetest people I've ever met. She has been a big supporter of Lux & Ivy from the beginning, and has participated in group shows at L&I's former Murphy Arts Center location.
I love Abby's unique artistic style and powerful creative force, so she was the very first person I thought of when I had the idea to create a feminist t-shirt that could be sold in support of Girls Rock! Indy.
I reached out to Abby simply with the idea to create a t-shirt with the proceeds going to GRI. She responded with the "stronger together" concept, inspired by growing up as a female in the punk music scene.
Abby Hart: When you mentioned Girls Rock, I thought about going to punk shows as a young girl and I really wanted to represent the diversity of it. I tried to represent diverse punk female bands, artists, and gender fluid and disabled babes. I wanted the girls to be able to research the bands that I represented on the shirts as well. Lastly, it was inspired by Now and Then when they would play Red Rover against the boys. I almost put "Red Rover, Red Rover send Patriarchy Right Over" but landed on just the simple "Stronger Together".
Abby in the "Stronger Together" tee, in front of PRN Graphics, where they were printed by a female-run local business.
In my DIY Fashion class at Girls Rock! Indy, I teach the campers about repurposing clothing we no longer love, and show simple t-shirt alterations. I also talk about Fashion as Self-Expression & Activism, and Sustainable Fashion. We learn about the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and local economy. Therefore, it was important to me to find a local company that would print on sustainably-made shirts. PRN Graphics is managed by Kristin Leep, who got her start in the Indianapolis punk scene as a photographer for The Historic Melody Inn's Punk Rock Night.
The shirts are printed on USA-made Cotton-Bamboo blend. Cotton is one of the most environmentally-friendly fabrics due to its sustainable, renewable and biodegradable properties, as well as its ability to withstand a lot of wear. Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be grown and harvested with very little environmental impact.
So why is this t-shirt important? Why is supporting other females (regardless of race/sexuality/ability) in your music scene a big deal? Simply put, because we are a minority made up of minorities, and together our voice and our presence becomes stronger. I spoke with several female musicians to find out about their experiences growing up playing music and/or going to shows.
Nicole O'Neal plays bass in alt rock band Wife Patrol. She has been involved with Girls Rock! Indy for a year now, as a camp volunteer and on the Diversity & Inclusions Committee (she is now committee chair for D&I). Nicole talks about being both a woman and a minority in music.
Lux & Ivy: When did you start playing music?
Nicole O'Neal: My first instrument was the recorder in fourth grade. Somewhere in the middle of high school I saw a bass guitar for the first time and decided it was what I wanted to play. I taught myself to play from a book and began playing in the high school intramural jazz band.
My first ‘band’ existed in Bloomington between 2012-2013 with Mike Notaro and Danny McKinley. Few people know it existed as we never played any shows, but we recorded a few tracks that are buried somewhere in Notaro’s infamous archives.
L&I: Describe your experience as a female musician, or someone who grew up attending shows. What makes the female experience unique?
NO: I didn’t really start being a part of a music scene until I got to college (IU Bloomington). I still remember the first show I went to for a local pop-punk band at Rhino’s All Ages Club. It was extremely eye-opening for me to be able to see shows in an open environment, especial as a minor. Something about realizing many of the performers were not only close to me in age, but also often my peers and community neighbors awoke something inside me. Musicians were no longer these far away, larger than life rock stars; they were just people and often students just like me. The female experience is interesting in that in less diverse settings, your presence is often dismissed until you prove that you belong. As both a female and person of color, I’ve been tested many times in this. Also there are those people (male and female) who see females as eye candy before even considering them as talented individuals. You have to work twice as hard to gain respect. On the flip side in more diverse settings your presence is questioned less based on gender and you get to prove yourself by your talent and character alone. It’s more of ‘you’re welcome until you break that trust’. Those environments are often more supportive from the start, which is encouraging and uplifting. When females see themselves included, they feel more welcome and more able to participate rather than be a spectator.
L&I: You play bass and sing in the band Wife Patrol -- can you tell us more about that?
NO: It’s a three piece band of friends - myself, Natasha and Greg. It’s a blend of punk, metal, and grunge influences. Some songs are about 1:30 some a more full 3-4 minute experience. Greg & Natasha are married and their last name happens to be O’Neill (mine is O’Neal). We were introduced by our friend Andy D (another local musician), when he invited us to join he and his wife Victoria on a New Year's Eve trip to play the Michael Jackson slot machine at the Hoosier Park Casino. Wife Patrol started in 2015 with Greg & Natasha. We put together our first E.P. in March of 2016 called Electric Blizzard.
L&I: How do you think an all-female-identifying youth music camp strengthens the female community here in Indianapolis?
NO: Being in a creative environment that is entirely female is empowering on so many levels. Seeing female adults and youths lead, teach, try new things, work together, and express themselves creatively is a game changer. I’ve seen campers feel more confident and comfortable with themselves because those gender stereotypes that haunt schools are broken down and challenged. Having females to look up to and see in a creative space inspires young females to see that THEY belong in this space.
Leilah is an accomplished cellist who started playing at the age of 6. She is now a full-time cello & piano instructor, as well as a concert cellist, at times playing 3-4 gigs per week. Leilah talks about what its like to be a full-time professional musician in 2017.
Lux & Ivy: When did you start playing music?
Leilah Smith: When I was 6 years old.
L&I:What age range do you teach?
Leilah Smith: 3 & up!
L&I: How do your experiences as a female musician shape the way you teach music?
LS: My experience as a female musician has helped me realize that there are so many false mindsets out there, and people who want to limit your abilities and tell you that certain things are impossible, so don't even "waste your time trying". I still have yet to figure out why, although I have a feeling it has something to do with the ego and/or jealousy. I have heard "isn't it your job to just sit there and look pretty?", "Women can never be as good as men, because their hands aren't big enough to span the intervals needed on a piano", etc, etc. The obstacles women face are indeed true, but that doesn't mean we aren't capable of finding ways around those obstacles. This has shaped my teaching, because I will never try to limit a student and tell them that they can't do something. I simply say "maybe not yet... but we'll get there" or I find a way to make it possible for them. I tell them the process will be incredibly slow, so they must dig deep to find the self-patience needed to accomplish what they are wanting.
L&I: What was your experience as a female musician?
LS: Being a musician is challenging in and of itself, no matter what the gender. You now have to be really good at not only music, but at marketing, graphic design, social media, studio management, teaching, and performing and somehow balance all of that with trying to maintain real life and your adult responsibilities. You don't get a stipend, you don't get bonuses, you don't get your retirement automatically invested, or your taxes.
People think "oh what fun it must be to be a musician" and then look at me with some distant, daydreaming wish for themselves. I mean, it definitely has it's moments, or I wouldn't still be doing it, but the road is so much tougher than anyone can imagine, unless they have been there themselves. There are massive, crippling, self-doubts constantly, no matter what gender you are.
L&I:What makes the female experience unique?
LS: The experience for females is unique I suppose because of this phenomena, but also because there are still societal norms that tell us, we need to be in the kitchen cooking, and cleaning the house. I see it happen constantly where women are trying SO hard to be independent and have successful careers. They end up having kids, and now not only are they juggling their careers and their kids, but what about home life too? Sometimes (not all the time) they are still having to cook and clean and those responsibilities are not always divided up evenly. I have definitely had my fair share of relationships with men who had the mentality of "I work twice as hard as you", just because they can't quantify or understand the results of my work.
I don't know where they are getting that idea from, because if you include my practice time, then I have been working on average 50-70 hours a week since I was 15, with very minimal breaks in between. Maybe I haven't been getting paid anywhere near my worth, but again, that's incredibly difficult to get as a musician in 2017 and that's obviously not why I do it, or I would have given up many years ago!
Melanie has been a drummer for 20 years, starting at the age of 11. She has played in several Indianapolis bands since age 15, including S.M. Wolf. She also battles Endometriosis, a disease that only affects women and unfortunately limits her ability to play drums.
Sarah came of age in the Florida punk/hardcore scene. Her childhood was spent in Indianapolis, learning drums around the same time as her childhood best friend Melanie Rau. She moved to Florida the summer before 6th grade, then landed back in Indy as an adult. Today, she is raising her kids to have her same strength and confidence through music.
Riley is Sarah Krause's daughter, and a second year Girls Rock! Indy camper. She talks about her love for Adventure Time and playing bass.
Sarah, Riley & Melanie support one another in their musical interests and endeavors.
Thanks for reading this super long post!! Please continue to support one another through music, and help out Girls Rock! Indy if you can! Let's link arms and stand together to **SMASH THE PATRIARCHY**
You can donate to GRI at: https://www.gofundme.com/girlsrockindy and you can purchase your Stronger Together tee here.
Attending Regency Beauty Institute in Houston, McIntyre transferred to Vidal Sassoon Academy in Santa Monica, to have a better understanding of the foundation of hairdressing. It was at Sassoon Academy that she fell in love with precision haircutting and intricate hair color work. In 2016, McIntyre continued her advanced education by going to DevaCurl Academy in Los Angeles, CA so she could learn how to style and cut curly hair from wavy to super curly.
A while back, I was lucky enough to sit in this bad babe's chair and try out a spacey new color! See below for photos + an exclusive interview with Joanne McIntyre.
Hair & Photos: Joanne McIntyre // Model: Sara Baldwin // Silver Blouse from Lux & Ivy
LUX & IVY: What was your main inspiration for this look?
Joanne McIntyre: I have always been fascinated with minerals and rocks. I love that you have something like Titanium Quartz that is created in nature and looks so metallic. I have wanted to create a hair color technique that would resemble that metallic sheen.
Hair & Photos: Joanne McIntyre // Model: Sara Baldwin // Silver Blouse from Lux & Ivy
L&I: How did you create this color?
JM: To create any fashion shade, you have to have a clean foundation. So to start, I lifted the hair to a very pale blonde. It is important for my guest to have an easy fade out so we toned the pale blonde to a nice violet blonde. Using a variation of cool tones, I applied the color all over using a color melting technique with Joico Intensity Metallic Hair Color in Moonstone, Pewter, Mauve, Violet, and Clear.
For styling hair, my go to product lines are IGK Hair and Verb Products. Almost all of their products contain coconut oil which is incredibly nourishing for your hair especially after such a strong color process. Aftercare and products are essential for anyone getting their hair colored. We used Call Time to prime the hair for a blow dry. Taking small two inch square sections I used their Intern flexible hairspray and curled using a HotTools 1 inch marcel iron, and pinned the curls in place until they cooled. Setting the hair like this adds some longevity to the style.
To create the updo look, I twisted three different sections and pinned using about ten bobby pins. Get creative! Updo’s don’t have to be intimidating, go on youtube, watch videos, and you will find that a lot of these updos don’t take much time at all.
Hair & Photos: Joanne McIntyre // Model: Sara Baldwin // Silver Blouse from Lux & Ivy
Hair & Photos: Joanne McIntyre // Model: Sara Baldwin // Dress from Lux & Ivy, Necklace by Velvet Ruins
L&I: How long have you been a stylist and what makes you passionate about your work?
JM: A good friend of mine and now fellow hairdresser was my inspiration for attending cosmetology school. Back in 2013, I quit my full time job with benefits and started on the road to becoming a hairdresser. It has been a long journey, and coming into this industry at an older age than normal is strange. There has been a lot of advanced education and late nights spent working on mannequins trying to understand a new technique and grow as a stylist.
Joanne McIntyre at The Beauty Market.
L&I: What inspires you?
JM: I have always been inspired by the editorials from fashion magazines like Vogue. I had a serious issue with hoarding magazines until I had a huge clear out a few years ago before moving back to Indiana. Outside of the typical inspiration, like any artist, I capture inspiration from nature, architecture, and art. I was a photographer before breaking into this industry, so I am always taking photos on my iPhone and uploading them to Pinterest to organize my thoughts.
Most importantly, the people that sit in my chair inspire me. For all of the fun and creative projects I do, my everyday guests have more traditional hair color, but their hair is just as important. I want to help new guests with finding their greatest potential through their hair. Hairdressing is more than just seeing someone once every 4-8 weeks, it is about building trust and a relationship with your guest.
Follow Joanne on Instagram for more amazing looks & hair inspo: @jmcintyrehair
Book an appointment with Joanne.
Thanks for reading!
xo, Sara
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Why is it that we are societally motivated to make earth-conscious choices in so many aspects of our lives -- what we eat, how we commute, what beauty products we use, what we clean our floors with -- and yet what we wear is so rarely considered environmentally impactful?
Globally, we consume 80 billion pieces of clothing each year. This is up 400% from two decades ago.
Let that simmer for a second.
All those cheap, on-trend pieces you're buying from Forever 21? Yeah, they may have less of an impact on your wallet, but the cost is far greater... All this thoughtless consumption is jeopardizing the future of this planet we call home.
So, how can we make more thoughtful, impactful, and ethical shopping decisions?
It's a simple question with a convoluted answer, and on January 7th, 2016, some of Indianapolis' environmentally and fashion-focused citizens gathered at Outpost Indy (a pro-local "mall takeover" pop-up in Circle Centre Mall) to discuss "Slow Fashion".
Slow Fashion Speakers:
Julia Spangler of Fair For All Guide is a Sustainability Blogger and Sustainable Events Consultant. Julia’s mission is to empower individuals to make responsible choices that honor our connection to each other and the planet. Fair for All is an online guide for understanding and embracing the interconnectedness of today’s world.
Elizabeth Roney is the creator of Liz Alig, an Indianapolis-based fashion label that provides consumers with clothing that is fair trade, ethical, and fashionable. All of the Liz Alig garments are produced using standards of fair trade which means that workers are not only paid a fair wage, but Liz Alig purposely chooses to work with people in developing countries and low income communities to encourage their economic growth.
And the third speaker was me, Sara, the owner of Lux & Ivy. ;) My background in journalism, management of two different consignment/resale shops, and time spent as a Buyer for a boutique, led me to start really questioning the impact on our environment through fashion. In one simple sentence, “Why waste precious resources creating new clothing that is not made to last?” Read about the sustainability philosophy behind Lux & Ivy in my interview with Julia on Fair For All guide.
We had a lovely little spread, provided by New Day Craft and Wildwood Market. Through Julia's connections in event coordinating, we had compostable plates, cups and napkins, and a composting service provided by Earth Mama Compost.
We also debuted these lovely stickers (which you can purchase here on our website), designed by Alice Guerin of Knot Eye Tattoo!
Check out this awesome video that Alex Gonzales made of the evening's events:
Lux & Ivy - Slow Fashion at The Outpost from Alex Gonzales on Vimeo.
Soooo what the heck is "slow fashion", and how do we start making changes with our consumption?
SLOW FASHION.....
Fast Fashion Facts:
Putting this all into action: How do we save our planet through fashion?
1) Shopping responsibly. Meaning - purchase items that are higher quality, made well, and made sustainably. Look for well-made clothing that will last. Buy staple pieces that will outlast the trends. Seek out sustainable fabrics like cotton, bamboo, hemp, or anything biodegradable.
2) SHOP VINTAGE AND SECONDHAND. Give new life to already existing pieces instead of wasting resources on new ones. Screw the current trends and find your OWN style. Trust me... it's wayyyy more fun.
3) Shopping locally handmade and Fair Trade. Look for companies who make goods themselves, or honor the makers of their products through fair trade. Fair Trade works supports communities of makers and celebrates traditional and ethnic techniques that are being forgotten in our culture of fast fashion. Read more at: http://www.lizalig.com/fair-trade/
(Hint: Check out LizAlig, United State of Indiana & Vardagen, along with local high-end jewelry and accessory brands like Quil Jewelry, Velvet Ruins, Salame Designs, People for Urban Progress, and Leather Feather Stone. We carry several of these vendors in our shop.) Homespun is also a great resource for handmade items from the midwest.
4) Getting rid of stuff you don't need - responsibly. Keywords: Consignment, resale, clothing swaps, online sales and swap groups, apps like Yerdle and Depop. Julia has a really great blog post on How to Connect Stuff You Don't Want With People Who Want It. Remember that only 10% of the clothes people donate to charity or thrift stores get sold. There are often times better homes for your unwanted items than a thrift store!
We also put together an in-depth info sheet from our Slow Fashion event, which you can request via email.
One thing you should absolutely do if you want to know more on this subject is watch The True Cost on Netflix.
Thanks for reading about ethical fashion! Remember...SLOW FASHION SAVES LIVES!
xoxo
Sara
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The nature of vintage and consignment is immediate; we don't always receive our best pieces months before the season starts - and even if we do, they are often times one-off pieces that get snatched up quickly!
By way of our location in the Murphy Arts Center, and also our ties to IU School of Fine Art and Herron School of Art and Design, we are members of a historic and seasoned art community.
So we set out not only to create a body of work that would allow us to share Lux & Ivy's style with our customers, but also a piece of art to share with our community and colleagues. Our Fall/Winter 15 lookbook was not a preview of the season to come, but rather an interpretive look at current trends, and how fashion reflects our day-to-day personas.
•Photographs/Concept/Design : Dana Kalachnik
•Style : Sara Baldwin
•Model : Shelby Flora
•Video : Alex Gonzales
This project was really the brainchild of Herron Photography student, Dana Kalachnik. Dana is an exceptional artist with an eye for fashion & design. Her diverse skill set makes her uniquely qualified for projects like this, and she has already built a name for herself in the Indianapolis fashion and art community.
We had an excellent turnout at our Lookbook release on December 4, 2015. We screened the film both on a wall inside our shop, and at the Joyful Noise Recordings First Friday show, before and in between Mike Adams and Sound of Ceres' sets.
Lux & Ivy Fall / Winter 2015 Lookbook from Alex Gonzales on Vimeo.
A lovely local photographer friend, Amy Drentlaw Rose of Sevenjoy Photography, ran the photobooth at the event. Customers were photographed in pieces they purchased that evening from Lux & Ivy, or fun looks that they put together from a rack of vintage clothing we had set up near the photobooth. Check out the images on our Facebook page!
Photos by Sevenjoy Photo from the photobooth at the Lux & Ivy Lookbook & Video release on 12/4/15.Tag yourselves and yr friends!All photos property of Sevenjoy Photo + Lux & Ivy.
Posted by Lux & Ivy on Saturday, January 2, 2016
Halloween gives us the opportunity to honor our favorite celebrities, artists, actors, filmmakers, writers -- anyone who has created a persona worth replicating. It's an invite to directly duplicate the iconic fashion that we most admire.
Film, in general, has inspired some truly lovely fashion (see here), as well as countless Halloween costumes. Wes Anderson has been galvanizing the film industry since 1998's Rushmore. We aren't the first people to dress as Anderson characters, and we certainly won't be the last.
Known for his slow-paced story arcs and limited visual color palette, Anderson's style truly sticks out in the modern film industry. Each and every one of his characters and backdrops are so unique in their aesthetic and delivery, one cannot help but be inspired by these artful representations.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
After seeing Jordan Rowe's Royal Tenenbaum Pieces at our August First Friday event, the Lux & Ivy photography team was extra inspired to create our own Tenenbaums-fueled artwork.
Jordan Rowe's Royal Tenenbaums Triptych
Armed with helpful friends, an epic fur coat, a Wilco Sweatband, and some nerdy excitement, we set out to construct a photoshoot in which we would become Margot & Richie Tenenbaum.
We started by watching The Royal Tenenbaums and pulling our favorite stills of Margot and Richie.
Time to lock down the looks. Lucky for us, we have access to some pretty killer threads. On top of items we pulled from Lux & Ivy shop, we also had to get on our hands on some crucial props like cigarettes (from the gas station, or whatever), aviator sunglasses (thrifted), and a Richie Tenenbaum sweatband - like this one that our model purchased from a Wilco concert.
SHOP THE LOOK BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW.
A. Vintage 1950s Mink Coat : $450
B. Navy Blue Preppy Collared Dress : $40
C. Color Block Dual-Toned Bag : $48
D. Rangoni Italian Leather Loafers : $26
E. Vintage Striped Polo : $14
F. Vintage Leather Bag : $24
G. Pink Mesh Gloves : $15
Choosing a location for this shoot was hardly an issue. Since our shop is located in Historic Fountain Square, the backdrop around us was already perfect. All we needed was a little rooftop access and some golden hour lighting.
Thanks to our lovely photographer, Dana Kalachnik, we ended up with a stellar series of images. It was such a fun shoot and we are thrilled with the results... see below! Hope you enjoy them as much as we do. :)
Photos by Dana Kalachnik
Style, Art Direction & Words by Sara Baldwin
Models: Jon Riley & Sara Baldwin
Hair: Elizabeth Brooks of Luxe218
]]>An elegant, fun evening of shopping and refreshments at The Murphy Arts Center.
The night of September 25 was filled with shopping, chatting, drinks, snacks, a scavenger hunt, gift baskets, and finished off with a killer dance party with Yip Deceiver and Andy D at Joyful Noise Recordings.
Photos by Dana Kalachnik.
Headbands from Emily Kai, presented by Amy Minnich.
Brianna and Sara of Lux & Ivy, with Amy Minnich from Emily Kai
Lovely shoppers in the store.
Brianna and Sara of Lux & Ivy
Thanks to all who came out! Expect more of these relaxing events in the future.. Until next time. <3
]]>Fall gives us a reason to slow down and relax. It also gives us a reason to dress elegant in an effortless way, so we can look cute doing all the things that we love. So how are we, at Lux & Ivy, choosing to go from one season to the next? Three words: light neutral layers.
This look is perfect for your trip to the farmers market (or Wildwood Market!), a coffee date, or a night out in Fountain Square. The neutral color palette is great for layering and combining textures/patterns, which is very on trend this season.
You can keep your wardrobe fresh with unique pieces. We have tons of neutral-toned knits to choose from at the shop, many of which are vintage and one-of-a-kind. We have a variety of shapes, cuts, and sizes-- proving that sweaters don't have to be bulky - they can be flattering, as well.
(Studio images by: Rachel Schwebach)
To finish off the look, you can add beautiful accessories and really work the details when wearing neutral layers - giving you a light, easy, put together vibe.
Locally made scarves and headbands are a great way to layer up for fall, too. Our chunky knit scarves and headbands are made here in Indy by local artist Taylor Schlister. We also carry Emily Kai Headbands, which are made in Fort Wayne, IN., and come in super soft bamboo-cotton blend.
The best part of the neutral knit trend is its versatility. Between nonstop activities and the ever changing temperatures, you will not be sacrificing style in order to stay warm and comfortable. Vibe easy this fall with earthy tones, compelling textures and natural beauty.
Vintage Cream Crochet Dress Sanktoleono Shield Bib Necklace
Crochet Duster Strappy Sweetheart Bralette
Locally-Made Knit Accessories Sanktoleono Tamara Bangle
High Rise Acid Wash Cigarette Jeans]]>Seriously, my husband Kevin and I have been waiting so long to make this happen. Between my experience in retail management & consignment, and the fact that vintage clothing was taking over our whole house.... having a brick & mortar location for Lux & Ivy has been on our minds for years, but it always seemed like a pipe dream.
Well folks... here it is! Our space inside of The Murphy Arts Center. 1043 Virginia Avenue, Suite 209.
Still working out some kinks, but right now our hours are Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm. We are also open every First Friday from 7 - 11pm and any time Joyful Noise Recordings is having a show at their space across the hall.
(Photo from our Indianapolis Monthly write-up)
The interesting thing about being in the Murphy, is that it's not a true "storefront". There is not a ton of foot traffic during the week, but it is very much event-based, and it allows us to have a home, so that those who are "in the know" can find us. It also helps being neighbors with Joyful Noise, since their record store is open across the hall from 11am - 7pm Monday - Friday. It's great that we can have a complementary customer base (see also: we are totally piggybacking off of their foot traffic during the week and during their shows)....
But moreso -- they are amazing people who do amazing things for the music community, and have been super sweet & supportive of Lux & Ivy! So lucky to have them across the hall. Check out their Facebook events for a more complete listing of upcoming events!
First Fridays truly are the best part about being in this building. Last First Friday was our Grand Opening, and it was PACKED! I cannot express how grateful I am that everyone came out - whether to support Lux & Ivy, or the rest of the amazing artisans and organizations housed in the Murphy - it doesn't even matter! I'm so happy to be a part of this community, and that you all want to be a part of it, too!
I was so excited that one of my best friends in the whole world, Kristine Claghorn, displayed some of her gorgeous artwork at our Grand Opening, and hung out in the shop during the event! She is such a talented person - in so many different ways - and there has been a LOT of interest in her work! If you didn't get a chance to see her Our Place in Space series, or wanted to make a purchase - no worries - it will be back up after this next First Friday! Also, you can purchase prints and works from her at claggie.bigcartel.com. :)
^Kristine and I with our artwork! Also on display were some photographs from my most recent fashion editorial, Lauren Coven. BUT that will require a separate blog post - so stay tuned for those images and the story behind them! I'm still playing catch-up over here. :/
I will have my little dude, Oskar, with me during our weekday hours, so stop by and see us! If you have little ones, we have a Kids Play Area with tons of toys, as well as vintage and handmade kids' clothing & accessories. We also have handmade apothecary items (bath bombs, face masks, candles, etc.), killer vintage threads, a badass collection of denim and new basics from brands like Lip Service and Cello Jeans, and LOTS of local and handmade goodies from Velvet Ruins, United State of Indiana, Agate & Elm, Hoosier Proud, and more!
So come see us at The Murphy Arts Center. 1043 Virginia Avenue, Suite 209, Indianapolis IN 46203.
Open Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm, every First Friday from 7 - 11pm, and during Joyful Noise shows.
Come see us this coming First Friday - July 3rd from 7-11pm.
Jordan Rowe is our featured artist and Fountain Square Music Festival is going on simultaneously!
And while you're here, check out some of the other amazing artisans in the building!
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First swap: lots of fun digs, Vibes employee Abby Hart (on the right) havin' a ball, and Tarot Readings by Scott Kellogg of the Zero Boys (bottom left).
Tryin' on some wild shizz.
Blacklight posters by our homie Aaron Baker of SNTN Comics!
Artist Lindsay Drake showed her work at the first ever Super Magical Rock N Roll Clothing swap.
Savannah Norris reading palms at Super Magical Rock N Roll Clothing Swap II.
Cuties rulin' the roost during the second swap.
Excellent swap finds!
Local artist Jordan Rowe displaying some of his work, alongside Rachel Schwebach (work not pictured).
All the left over clothing being loaded up for donation to 3 local shelters/nonprofits!!
• Drop off your clothing the week leading up to the swap. Make arrangements by emailing luxandivystore(at)gmail.com. If you need to bring your clothing the day of - no worries! However, there is a $3 processing fee for those who bring items on the day of the swap.
• Clothing will be evaluated and you will be given a point value. Clothing style and condition will be taken into consideration. You can then "shop" with these points.
• The swap occurs on a first-come-first-serve basis, and as people bring more items, the crazier it gets!
Join the Facebook event for Weird Vibes 5 and get all the info you need on the next swap. :)
Hope to see you there!
-Sara
]]>"When I first talked to Rachel Schwebach about collaborating on a photoshoot, we established right away that this would be only for us.Screw anyone else's standards or molds. We are doing a shoot with REAL badass babes, clothing that we would actually wear or sell, and a setting wherein our storyline would actually take place."
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All photos in this post are by Rachel Schwebach Photography.
"When I first talked to Rachel Schwebach about collaborating on a photoshoot, we established right away that this would be only for us.Screw anyone else's standards or molds. We are doing a shoot with REAL badass babes, clothing that we would actually wear or sell, and a setting wherein our storyline would actually take place."
"And then when I talked to Kate Shaw of Faces By Kathy Moberly about doing makeup for the shoot, she was totally on board with an open-concept and laid back project. And with a first glance at the mood board, she was instantly on the same page. Our inspiration? 90s grunge girl band on tour... think: Hole, Breeders, Bikini Kill, Veruca Salt."
"So we grabbed some of our raddest friends (Abby Hart of Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, Rachel Weidner of The Bloody Mess &Shame Thugs, and local babe Amanda Woods. Side note: Abby and Rachel both work at SoBro punk record store Vibes Music which has housed a small collection of Lux & Ivy clothing since 2013), we rented a room at the Skyline Motel (link included for the comically terrible reviews) and we stocked up on pizza, beer, guitars, junk food, and alien necklaces."
Cos sometimes ya gotta say "to hell with it" and just do what you love.
xoxo - Sara
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But sometimes ya gotta say "to hell with it" and just do what you love. When I first talked to Rachel Schwebach about collaborating on a photoshoot, we established right away that this would be only for us. Screw anyone else's standards or molds. We are doing a shoot with REAL badass babes, clothing that we would actually wear or sell, and a setting wherein our storyline would actually take place.
When I talked to Kate Shaw of Faces By Kathy Moberly about doing makeup for the shoot, she was totally on board with an open-concept and laid back project. And with a first glance at the mood board, she was instantly on the same page. Our inspiration? 90s grunge girl band on tour... think: Hole, Breeders, Bikini Kill, Veruca Salt.
So we grabbed some of our raddest friends (Abby Hart of Mr. Clit and the Pink Cigarettes, Rachel Weidner of The Bloody Mess & Shame Thugs, and local babe Amanda Woods. Side note: Abby and Rachel both work at SoBro punk record store Vibes Music which has housed a small collection of Lux & Ivy clothing since 2013), we rented a room at the Skyline Motel (link included for the comically terrible reviews) and we stocked up on pizza, beer, guitars, junk food, and alien necklaces.
Here are a few BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGES from our day (shot by me and NOT Rachel). You can find Rachel's (more exciting) images in our look book (coming soon)!!
^Kate Shaw, Rachel Schwebach, Abby Hart, Rachel Weidner
And don't worry guys, in keeping with our theme, we totally trashed the room (temporarily, anyway) in the process of hanging out, playing dress up, eating pizza/chz puffs and drinking Hamms. Up the punx.
xx Sara
*****ALL IMAGES SHOWN IN THIS BLOG POST WERE SHOT BY ME, SARA BALDWIN SCHATZ, AND ARE JUST BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGES.*****
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