Celebrating Black History Month:
A Staff Spotlight
In honor of Black History Month, we are amplifying the work and stories of Crossroads employees. Today we spotlight two employees at our Melrose store: Alyssa & Sarah.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Alyssa: To embrace the past, present and future of the culture, art, history and pride with love and respect.
Sarah: Representation/celebration of all the wonderful aspects of Black Culture. Not only is it a celebration, it is also an acknowledgment of all the hardships and struggles we’ve gone through and how we persevered.
Is there a Black leader or figure who inspires you?
Alyssa: As a dancer from when I was 5, Alvin Ailey was always a present figure in my life, from posters on my wall to training the style to going to classes at his academy in New York.
Sarah: Malcolm X and Rosa Parks, amongst many others, inspire me heavily. Rosa Parks, in particular, because she was so resilient and stayed strong when she faced many injustices. Same with Malcolm X. They both inspire me because they had the mindset of, “If not me, then who will?” That is something I try to implement into my lifestyle.
Alyssa
What is your proudest achievement?
Alyssa: Being a part of Beyoncé’s feature music video “Black Is King” was THE PROUDEST MOMENT in my life, especially because I was a dancer for the “Brown Skin Girl” segment. My chin was LIFTED the entire process.
Sarah: Definitely stepping out of my comfort zone quite frequently. Whether it be putting myself in situations that may seem scary but turn out to be beneficial.
What is your biggest goal?
Alyssa: To work for Steven Spielberg. I got somewhat close when I got the call to audition for “Westside Story,” but it was in New York, and I was already working on a project. I wish I could turn back time and put my butt on the plane.
Sarah: To become a professional dancer one day. This has been a dream of mine for a few years, and I won’t stop until I achieve it.
Sarah
How has your background shaped your personal style?
Alyssa: Seeing the styles in the early 2000’s really made me pick and choose what I like, from natural hair to natural nails to then go into natural neutrals in clothes and wardrobes.
Sarah: My background has shaped my style by not letting anyone change my mindset on what suits me and how I wear it. Learning not to care about other people’s opinions when it comes to my style is so refreshing.
What hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?
Alyssa: I sew, cosplay and have been using those talents towards costumes for TV and Film. Dance is my first love, but costumes will always be on the same pedestal. I honestly live two lives.
Sarah: Going to dance classes. Taking dance classes is something that I have been doing for the past 3-4 years. I mainly enjoy taking hip-hop classes at studios in LA.
What is something people may be surprised to know about you?
Alyssa: I’m a gamer and an anime weeb! Someone the other day said, “The cake is a lie,” and I know it was a reference to the game “Portal.” They were SO shocked. We talked games for 30 minutes after that.
Sarah: I am actually such an introverted and shy person.
What does “Black Joy” mean to you? What aspects of your life bring you the most joy?
Alyssa: Being unapologetically happy as a Black person. To love what you love and thoroughly enjoy it. No questions asked—point blank period. Art brings me joy. All of the art. That’s what I’m meant to do in this world. I don’t want to do art; I NEED to do art.
Sarah: Embracing wherever you come from and appreciating all the differences because that’s what makes you, you. My family and friends 100% bring me the most joy. I love being surrounded by people that I love, and that love me.
February 10, 2022 Q & A with Kaitlin of @windycitythrifter
We’re so happy when you tag us on Instagram and show us your Crossroads finds! After a while, we feel like we get to know you and your style very well. That’s exactly the case with Kaitlin from @windycitythrifter. We feel like old friends, having seen her amazing secondhand finds for years. We were way overdue for this little Q&A.
Read on to learn about life as an eco-stylist, Kaitlin’s IGTV series, and the elopement dress she found in our store.
Hi Kaitlin! Please share a little bit about yourself.
I’m a millennial Chicago transplant, originally hailing from Upstate NY. Style and performing are my lifelong passions, and I’ve been able to grow upon them in the beautiful Windy City. I’m married to my best friend, Mr. Windy City Thrifter, and we enjoy going on hikes with our rescue pittie and exploring how we can do our part to combat climate change.
We know you’re a long-time Crossroads customer. Thank you for that! When did you first find us, and are there any favorite #crossroadsfinds that stand out in your mind?
I first found Crossroads when I moved to Chicago in 2012. In fact, my first two Instagram posts were taken in a Crossroads dressing room! Hands down, my favorite Crossroads find was a cream button-down Free People dress that I found in June 2019, the month after my partner and I got engaged. I originally had plans to wear it for my wedding shower (which I eventually did in 2021). However, when we had to postpone our 2020 wedding and decided to elope, donning this dress made me feel so beautiful as I married my best friend!
You’re an eco-stylist. That sounds amazing. What is that role like?
As an eco-stylist, I help folks cultivate a more sustainable and budget-friendly wardrobe by styling them with secondhand pieces and helping create “new-to-them” looks from their existing closet. We connect on their wardrobe needs and goals prior to the session so we can pull and buy pieces with clear intentions. This way my clients feel confident about their purchases and how they’ll integrate them into their existing closets.
We noticed you’re creating content over on IGTV too. Please tell us more.
I love utilizing video to spread secondhand love, so over on my IGTV you can find some of my “Thrifty Wedding” content and “Intention-haul” series. I created my “Intention-haul” series in 2020 as a way to encourage others to join me on a journey of conscious and mindful consumerism. It’s a way to hold myself accountable for my own secondhand consumption. It has sparked incredible conversations in the community, and I believe the more we communicate in these spaces, the better we all do moving forward!
What’s your best advice for shopping in a secondhand store?
My absolute best advice is to go into the store with a solid idea of what you already own and a clear list of what you need to fill the gaps in your wardrobe. Patience is also key. When we consume slowly, we’re able to make the most mindful and long-lasting purchases!
Thank you, Kaitlin, for spreading the word about sustainable secondhand fashion!
If you liked this article, you’ll enjoy our other Q&A’s with Barbara from @barbara.goes.wear and Piera from @hipiera.
Photos Via
February 8, 2022 3 Trailblazing Black-Owned Fashion Labels We Covet
There are some labels that cross the selling counters of our stores and make us extra giddy. Today, in honor of Black History Month, we share 3 trailblazing Black-owned fashion labels that left a big mark on the industry (and our closets).
Off-White
In 2013, the late Virgil Abloh founded his Milan-based label, Off-White. His innovative approach to merging streetwear with luxury was born from an architectural background, knowledge of Chicago street fashion, and collaborative work with Kanye West. By 2018, sales and popularity proved that Off-White was the hottest label in the world.
Abloh later took his creativity to Louis Vuitton, where he became the first African-American artistic director at the renowned fashion house.
We’re always excited to see Off-White items from sellers, including popular collaboration pieces with brands like Converse.
Telfar
This Brooklyn-based label was founded by Liberian-American, Telfar Clemens, and is known for its genderless fashion pieces. It’s partnered with a wide range of people and brands, including Solange Knowles, UGG, and White Castle.
The Telfar shopping bag is its star piece. Crafted in vegan leather and embossed with the labels’ signature “T”, it consistently sells out and is often referred to as the “Bushwick Birkin”. We love when they come into our stores!
Fenty
The Fenty label was produced under LVHM from 2017 to 2021. It was founded by Rhianna, who became the first Black woman to head a fashion label with the French luxury company. The brand debuted with pop-up stores in Paris and New York. It carried a full line of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
The timing of the pandemic ultimately proved too much for the brand, but its sunglasses and jewelry often sold out and remain some of our favorite pieces.
Of course, this is only scratching the surface of trailblazing Black-owned fashion labels. Which ones would you name your top 3?
Photos Via
February 2, 2022 Black-Owned Fashion Labels We’re Watching
Every Friday on our Instagram feed, we feature Black-owned fashion labels we’re watching. If you didn’t catch them all in January, here’s a recap of the 4 labels we shared.
1. DANZY
One label that has really caught our eye is the sportswear brand @danzydesignstudio. We adore a preppy look, so their tennis club capsule with Revolve is spot-on for this fun trend. Check out the looks on their website here.
2. Naclo Apparel
Fashion label @naclo.apparel was born out of the pandemic, a desire for expression during the stay-home order, and some masterful work with bleach processing. Find the piece that speaks to you! Vintage options are available too. Shop the site here.
3. White/Space
@whitespacejewelry creates delicate jewelry pieces made with recycled gold and adorned with ethically-mined gems. Each piece is made by hand as part of the “slow fashion” movement. See all the pieces on their website here.
4. Paskho
Patrick Robinson’s eco-friendly @paskho label is popular for a reason. Pieces are produced in the U.S. and guided by a commitment to minimalist design. The brand refers to its genre as high-performance lifestyle apparel.
This post includes only a few of the Black-owned fashion brands we’re watching. You can find even more featured on our Instagram feed. You can also join us back here on our website next month when we’ll feature our February picks!
February 1, 2022 5 Great Reads from Black Figures in Fashion
If you’re a fan of both fashion and biographies, we have a treat for you today. In honor of Black History Month, we’re sharing 5 memoirs from Black figures in fashion who’ve truly left their mark.
Not only did they rise to the top of an industry famously difficult to break into, but they faced the added political and cultural challenges of being Black in a historically-homogenous fashion world.
Keep reading to find your next great read. Then, pick up a copy from your favorite retailer, or support small bookstores by purchasing at Indie Bound.
Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem: A Memoir, by Daniel R. Day
Known for his legendary NYC boutique, Harlem Haberdashery, Dapper Dan was a visionary behind the 1980s emergence of high-end streetwear. But his personal journey to that moment is a much deeper story, from a boy with holes in his shoes to a teen street gambler to a young man reading in his prison cell. A must-read.
A.L.T.: A Memoir, by Andre Leon Talley
Especially poignant after his recent passing, read the memoir of Vogue’s former editor-at-large, Andre Leon Talley. First inspired by his fashionable grandmother, Bennie Davis, he was formally trained by fashion icon, Diana Vreeland. As a Southern-born African American born in 1949, Talley vividly shares the details of his Durham, N.C., childhood in a segregated South, and his adult years immersed in his beloved world of fashion. Talley will forever remain one of the most influential Black fashion figures of our time.
Walking with the Muses: A Memoir, by Pat Cleveland
Pat Cleveland was one of the first Black supermodels, and her glamourous memoir takes you through her personal adventures. She started her life making her own clothes in a Harlem tenement, only to later live a bohemian jet-setting life in 1970’s New York City, alongside celebrities and artists.
I’ll Never Write My Memoirs, by Grace Jones
Singer, model, and actress, Grace Jones, initially emerged onto the scene as a fashion model in the 1970’s, but grew to become a fashion icon through her free-spirited style and creative musical experiments. Read about her personal journey, which started as a rejection of her strict upbringing in Jamaica and led her to the international stage. She’s truly incomparable.
Dressed in Dreams: A Black Girl’s Love Letter to the Power of Fashion, by Tanisha C. Ford
Tanisha C. Ford is a renowned fashionista and pop culture expert who beautifully weaves her personal story as a Black girl coming of age in the Midwest with the story of an African American fashion culture that innovatively creates the likes of knockoff culture and “ghetto fabulous,” only to see them appropriated by the mainstream.
Enjoy these wonderful reads!
