by Brynn Watkins | Feb 13, 2013 | News Slider
Lipscomb students were thrilled when it was announced in January that the famed Swedish retailer H&M is planning to open a location in Nashville at the Opry Mills mall. H&M, a european mega-brand, is a favorite among fashionistas and draws a lot of crowds with its trendy clothing for men, women and children. The company increased its footprint in the world of fashion by regularly partnering with iconic fashion brands such as Marni and Versace and offering versions of their clothing at an affordable price. According to the chain’s website, the Opry Mills location will be the first H&M store in Tennessee and is set to open in June or July of this year. Students have been waiting for an H&M to come to Nashville for a long time and were very excited when they heard the news. Senior Kathryn McKinley expressed her excitement on having a new store that is high on trends and low on budget. “I can’t wait for H&M to be here! They have so many selections on a college student budget,” McKinley said. Senior Katie Underwood said she’s excited that Nashville is becoming so prevalent and present in the fashion industry. “Nashville is growing as an iconic fashion city, and adding an H&M will bring so much more option and affordable personality to this city,” Underwood said. “Living on a college budget, I couldn’t be any more excited for the newest addition to Opry Mills!” For information on H&M and its Nashville location...
by Brynn Watkins | Jan 31, 2013 | News Slider
Style is found everywhere, from the hectic streets of New York City to the rolling hills of Tennessee. Style even appears at Lipscomb University. These are our stories – your stories. This is Lipscomb Street Style. Sammi Horne: 1. Shirt- Old Navy 2. Cardigan- London Boutique 3. Jeggins- Gap 4. Boots-Off Broadway 5. Leather Bracelets- Florence 6. Watch- Urban Outfitters 7. Necklace-London Flea Market Name: Sammi Horne Year: Sophomore Major: Marketing Dream Job: Independent social media marketer Favorite store and why: Anthropologie – I love the way they incorporate such unique design and art into their entire brand. Describe your Style : I love lot’s of deep colors (navy/forrest green/maroon/black). I like to style myself in button ups, moccasins, thrifted T-shirts, sweaters and oversized cardigans. Favorite local Nashville stores: Pangea Style inspirations: I love wearing comfortable clothes that I still can feel unique in. I have lots of random pieces, but always stick to the same color palette so that I can easily incorporate new pieces to my wardrobe. My favorite part about my wardrobe is my go-to accessories. I have a lot of hand-me downs and things from my travels. I love using them to tell stories. Favorite piece of clothing or accessory : Definitely my denim button up. It goes under or over and can be layered with ANYTHING. I’m currently a full time participant of the top-button-buttoned movement. I also love my peter pan jeggings. They are comfortable and unique. Micheal Galo: 1. Plaid Blazer- bought in Poland 2. Button-up shirt- H & M 3. Bow Tie/Suspenders- Milan 4. Boots-Florence...
by Brynn Watkins | Jan 15, 2013 | Opinion
Are you looking for a coffee shop with some elbow room? Barista Parlor, a new coffee shop in the heart of East Nashville, may be the solution. Barista Parlor is great for people who want to really enjoy their coffee. The staff focuses the art of coffee making and the quality they can give their customers. With an array of coffees available from artisans around the world, the choices are vast and endless. Not sure which coffee you prefer? Not a problem. A trained staff of baristas is behind the counter to help determine the perfect blend for each individual customer. Barista Parlor makes coffee with beans from around the country. Portland’s Stumptown, North Carolina’s Counter Culture, Michigan’s MadCap, Illinois’s Intelligentsia, and California’s Sightglass are all different types of coffee you can try. With it’s spacious seating and quiet atmosphere, clumping it with other coffee houses like Starbucks seems almost unnatural. Kevin Mac Erwin, a junior at Lipscomb, explained how the Barista Parlor is rapidly gaining fans and national prestige. “The Barista Parlor provides a handcrafted and aesthetically pleasing experience to its ever growing group of followers,” Mac Erwin said. “With an emphasis on quality coffee and collaboration with local merchants, The Barista Parlor is quickly becoming a Nashville classic.” Lipscomb sophomore Allison Kate Collins said she believes Barista Parlor is the perfect early morning or late afternoon coffee break. “Barista Parlor is perfect if you want to get way off campus. Its spacious atmosphere is a welcome contrast from cramped classrooms and the campus Starbucks. If you’re not a coffee connoisseur (as I’m not), one of the friendly...
by Brynn Watkins | Dec 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
When fashion and social justice go hand in hand, progress happens. The company Rags2Riches is no stranger to social justice. Rags2Riches Inc. is a for-profit company based in Manila, Philippines that creates fashion and home accessories out of scrap cloth by working with women living in impoverished cities across the country. Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon four bottom lines: people, profit, planet and positive influence. Rags2Riches got its start in 2007 in the poorest districts of the Philippines. According to the Rags2Riches website, women living in Payatas, “one of the Philippines’ largest dumpsites and home to 12,000 families,” were scavenging waste in order to find and recycle fabric scraps for weaving. This became a way for the women to make a living and provide for their families. However, the website reports that, “over time, the industry became exploited by a series of middlemen who controlled both the supply of scrap fabric and the women’s access to the market, which created an unfair value chain for the women who, at the end of the day, earned only pennies per finished product.” Thus, Rags2Riches was funded, providing fair-trade work for hundreds of women in need. With the help of Rags2Riches, the women are taught financial and health training so they can maximize their career potential. To help create its fashionable products, Rags2Riches teamed up with fashion designers Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-Alunan and Oliver Tolentino to help mold the scrap and indigenous fabric into beautiful handbags and accessories. Though Rags2Riches has only been around for four years, the progress the company created has been life changing. It has empowered 450 women across 21 communities in the Metro Manila...
by Brynn Watkins | Nov 30, 2012 | Uncategorized
Looking for shiny new gifts for the holiday season? Why not support gifted merchants from around the world while doing your shopping for loved ones this season! If that idea sounds appealing, then the Red Earth Trading Company should be your one stop shop. Based in Nashville, the Red Earth Trading Co. was founded in 2010 by Travis Gravette. Gravette wanted to create a company incorporating both fashion and philanthropy. While traveling in East Africa, he discovered talented artisans who were getting paid very little for their beautiful work. Gravette saw the talent and drive of these gifted merchants and thought of an idea. This idea turned into Red Earth Trading Co., a company creating hope for merchants in East Africa by generating trade and commerce. The company collaborates with the artisans to create high quality home goods, jewelry and accessories with 100 percent of the company profits going back to help fuel development of non-profits in Africa. According to the Red Earth Trading Co. website here is how the process works: 1. We build relationships with artisans in developing nations that create exceptional products, value their employees and desire to make a difference in their community. 2. We work directly with our artisans to design and create quality products that are fashionable. 3. We pay at or above fair market prices on all products and pay up front for each order. 4. We import our products to the U.S. and sell them for a profit. 5. We cover our expenses and reinvest in the business. 6. At the end of the year, our profits are given to sustain the community development work of...
