Deanna Flows: Fashionista's Market: Closet Swap

Last Sunday, Dana (my fashionista friend) and I attended the Closet Swap event that was hosted by Fashionista's Market. Fashionista's Market is one of my favorite boutiques located in Chinatown. The event was held at the Japanese Cultural Center in Moiliili. When Dana and I arrived at the hall,we were surprised to see how packed it was with dolled up fashionistas from all over the island. The introduction started with a breakfast buffet and open wine bar.

While we ate at our tables, the ladies who hosted the event broke the excitement and chatter by welcoming us in the mic. The program began with the ladies thanking us all for being there and how it was there fifth anniversary holding this event. Anita (my personal stylist) went on to explain how the event was not only to exchange clothes, but also for a good cause. The money raised for the event went to women who fight against breast cancer and domestic violence on the island.

The speech on domestic violence so touching that many women throughout the room where sniffling, including the speaker. I had to look down to prevent tears from spilling, as I thought about some of the close women I love who have been sexually, hardcore raped and abused. I felt so fortunate to be a part of this women empowerment contribution.

After the announcements, we moved on to playing ice breaker games for prizes. During the games we got to know the other women at our table. The last game we played, was a group effort were we all worked together to create a recycled fashion outfit. The theme for the runway was Super Hero/Villain. All the groups were given a limited time of minutes to put together an outfit that relates to the theme, using only the materials that were provided.

We dressed our model as the "Breast Cancer Fairy." Our group did a pretty good job! We used most of the materials on our table, we even used the stand for the table number as her wand! (lol) When the time was up, we were all asked to finish our last touches. We were all asked to sit down, as the runway battle prepared to begin. When the model from my group entered the stage, our whole table stood up and chanted "SAVE THE BOOBIES!!!" (lol) All the models who participated looked amazing, everyone was so creative and went all out.

When the two winners of the recycled fashion show were announced, my group and I were disappointed that our model's name wasn't called. But we were still positive and to us, she was still a winner and as a group we had fun and still won. The two groups that won, were given an extra five minutes to enter the closet swap first. After those minutes were up, everyone was allowed to join.(it was like Black Friday shopping! everyone running and going crazy, lol)

At first, I couldn't find anything. I was so overwhelmed and didn't know which to choose from the large donation. Clothes racks and tables of accessories filled the hall. On the outside balcony there where shoes lined up and more clothes racks. Near the front of the entrance bottoms where piled on tables and jackets and more clothes where hung on racks. Dana is a natural fashionista stylist, she dressed me for numerous occasions in the past. I was so thankful to have her help, she chose most of the vintage wardrobe I took home.

Dana has such a strong passion for fashion. She expressed to me that while many people don't have the patience to look through used clothes, she enjoys it and says that taking the time to go through and finding key pieces is the art of vintage. She told me that "one woman's garbage, is another woman's treasure." We all had a fabulous experience and look forward to next years Closet Swap. Thank you Fashionista's Market for holding this event, and thank you to Sufiya (our friend and fm stylist) who invited us.

small gifts rimmed the table for each of us, in the center was our materials for the games: magazines, newspapers, and other word print (I love it), the flyer says "Shop For a Cause"