Exclusive Services and Events MISSION “Nouv-Ans aims to create a guilt-free shopping experience for the fashionable 21st century woman allowing her to re-invent her wardrobe while contributing to the movement of sustainable, Eco-friendly fashion and minimizing her carbon footprint all the while.� VISION Envisioning a culture where sustainable style and zero waste consumption are the standard in fashion. VALUES As a company the values we hold of highest importance are the sustainability, integrity, innovation, communication, creativity, and longevity.
FASHION SWAP PARTIES Nouv-Ans will hold bi-monthly swapping events at the store. One incentive to the membership fee is an exclusive invitation to these parties. The Style Swap Party allows members to bring in their old and unwanted garments and trade them will fellow Nouv-Ans members. Not only will the parties be a place to stock up on new clothes, but it is also an excellent social platform. Wine and cheese will be served for the ladies to enjoy whilst trading their sustainable style tips. Swapping is a great way to keep garments flowing throughout the fashion life cycle rather than dumping them into landfills. STYLING SERVICES Another aspect of the Nouv-Ans community is access to your very own personal stylist. While many women want to dress sustainably as wells as ethically, they are unsure of how to restyle their wardrobes with the ever-changing trends. Members can set up an appointment through the website where they bring their wardrobe into the store and work with a stylist to modernize what they already have. During these one-on-one appointments our expert stylists work with your personal style in addition to an Eco-consciousness to revitalize your wardrobe. By using simple do-it-yourself techniques, any old piece can become something new and exciting. Offering these styling services we are giving women the advice they need to maintain a stylish appearance while being sustainable simultaneously.
who we are and what we do As a retailer it is our utmost priority to provide women with lasting, stylish wardrobe essentials that are timeless while being sustainable throughout the process. The French “nouveau” literally means taking the old and making it new again. Re-purposed clothing from years passed (“ans”) is a trend of the future, so let’s make the future present. Nouv-Ans is a consignment shop with member exclusive workshops and services. By offering one on one appointments and classes, our members are taught the essentials to a long lasting, sustainable style.
“a community of environmentally conscious fashionistas turning trash into treasure.”
fall/ winter 2014 look book a guide to sustainable style
ten essentials to sustainable style 1. the white button up 2. the cardigan 3. the perfect jean 4. the dress pant 5. the wrap dress 6. the little black dress 7. the perfect skirt 8. the plain white tee 9. the blazer 10. the statement blouse
look one
look one
pefect jean cardigan statement blouse plain white tee The plain white tee is the one item on the essentials list that cost next to nothing, but makes ones of the loudest statements. Just like denim, the simple tee has been picked up by many designers who offer the ‘T-shirt of the moment’ at a wildly expensive price. However, nothing beats a Hanes three pack, not even that $200 T- shirt. Today’s trend in white t shirts is ‘the softer, the better.’ Better known as Tissue fabric, these ultra thin tees are the most popular style to have. The tissue look is inspired by vintage tops, so the cheaper option would be to buy all your plain tees from resale shops and thrift stores. The beauty of shopping thrift, is you know the t shirts are already worn in for you! A garment that evokes a cool ease and casualness should’t be your most expensive piece. Besides Hanes, who pioneered the T-shirt industry, there are tons of designers going the sportswear direction. James Perse is known for his super soft knits, his ulta T-shirts can be accounted for starting the designer T-shirt craze. When buying your T-Shirt, pay careful attention to the neckline, which shouldn’t be too high or too low. Tee’s should not be skin tight, instead they should hang loosely on the body. A plain white tee can play down a suit or any party dress. The key to rocking the T Shirt is that it must look effortless. “I’ve always thought of the T-shirt as the alpha and the omega of the fashion alphabet.” - Giorgio Armani
look two
look two
perfect skirt white button up The white button up is both crisp and clean, a style essential for every women. Worn with a suit, this piece screams professionalism but worn open over a dress, the white button transforms into a sexy but smart garment. The white button can be worn with a menswear inspired flair which is oversized and overtly sexual or the classic tapered women’s version for a mature and classic look. This piece comes are every price point from Walmart to J.crew and beyond. The buttons and notions on your button up should be plain and simple so as to not detract from your accessories. The most classic buttons will look like mother of pearl. Of course material is important, go for an organic cotton, silk or fine linen. The white button has had it’s share of historical moments as well. in 1990, Julia Roberts immortalized the look in her breakout hit, Pretty Women. Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction made the oversized button up and cropped black pant a timeless look. In 1998, Sharon Stone hit the runway of the 70th Annual Academy Awards in a classic white button up from the Gap paired with a glitzy Vera Wang evening skir
look three
look three
white button up dress pant statement blouse The statement blouse is the opportunity to express yourself through color and pattern. A blousey shirt in a sheer but quality fabric looks great over casual skinny jeans, a sexy black pencil skirt or for an office look, paired with your dress pants. Its important to choose a blouse that is made from quality fabrics. This piece is extremely versatile which means you’ll be wearing a lot and in many different ways, so a sturdy yet soft fabric is important. Many sheer blouses are inspired by the bohemian style of the 1970’s. During this time, sheer printed fabrics were extremely popular. If you choose a long sleeve blouse, make sure you’re arms are comfortable and you can move easily. Putting your arms out in front of you and over your head is a good test of comfortability. When choosing a color or print, make sure you compliment your favorite feature. If you have glowing green eyes, a royal purple top will make you stand out in the crowd. If you have fiery red hair, a turquoise blouse will make you pop. No matter what blouse you choose, this is your chance to be expressive and exciting with your style.
look four
look four
cardigan plain white tee perfect skirt
Girly skirts paired with a structured top will always conjure up images powerful femininity. The perfect skirt has the power to add sophistication or fun to any outfit. A women’s legs are one of her sexist assets, so flaunting them is always encouraged. A little leg, goes a long way so micro mini skirts just look tasteless. Skirt lengths depend on your comfort level but generally the hem should hit just above or below the knee. Skirts are most flattering with tall heels because they continue to elongate the leg, but riding boots offer a more casual option. Skirts should always be at your natural waist line to show off the smallest part of your body. If choosing a pencil skirt, make sure there is a vent in order to easily move around throughout the day. Stretchy fabric will keep you comfortable for hours. Patterned skirts or bright colored ones offer fun ways to spice up your wardrobe.
look five
look five
cardigan wrap dress
in the 1970’s, Diane Von Furstenberg designed the wrap dress and forever immortalized the piece as a fashion must have. DVF began to experiment with silk jersey making dancers wrap tops. From there she began adding sleeves to the tops and eventually transformed the dance wear into the now infamous warp dress. in 1975, DVF had sold more than five million of the dresses. The wrap dress is perfect for every shape; the cinched waist detail is flatter figuring no matter your size. Hugging in all the right places, the sash plays up a women’s best asset and hides all the rest. The wrap dress should always be a jersey material, which enhances a women’s curves in the best way. Printed wrap dresses add some sass to your wardrobe. Because the silhouette is timeless, your patterns can be as outgoing as you want! This dress can be styled in many different ways. Pair it with stilettos or tall boots for a night on the town or flats for a daytime look. “I design for the woman, who loves begin a woman.” -Diane Von Furstenberg
look six
look six
little black dress blazer
One of the many items women stole from their male counterparts, the blazer is a perfect blend of masculine and feminine. Often worn with skinny jeans and a comfy tee, this piece makes for effortless style, both formal and casual. Chic options for silhouettes are the shrunken blazer, the oversized blazer or the deconstructed blazer. When purchasing a vintage blazer there are some keys factors to note. Make sure all the buttons are working or still in tact. Sleeves should fall at the heel of your hand. However if you’re looking for a trendier option, sleeves can be an inch longer or 3/4 length. The shoulder seams should be at the outer edge of your shoulder for the perfect fit. As for length, it is all based on style preference, a classic blazer will hit just at the hip but for a more stylish look, cropped or oversized blazers are on trend. For a final fit test lift your arms above your head and in front of you, the blazer should not restrict, but move with you.For an instant classic look, throw on a blazer with any outfit and youll be ready to take on the day.
look seven
look seven
pefect white tee blazer black dress pant
In 1938, starlet Katharine Hepburn stepped onto the set of Breaking up Baby wearing wide leg trousers and instantly started a fashion craze. The executives on the film asked her to stop wearing pants because they thought it was harming her reputation as a sex symbol, but she refused. One day her pants mysteriously disappeared from her dressing room so Hepburn walked around set in nothing but her underwear until her trousers were returned. Katharine Hepburn is a pioneer in menswear inspired style. Without her retaliation, the boyfriend jean and so many other styles would not exist.Women began wearing menswear pieces like the dress pant because it offered them a sense of freedom from the sexist times but still allowed them to be both stylish and glamorous. If your dress pants have a wide-leg, make sure to wear a fitted top in order to balance out the look. Cuffed pants with a slightly longer hem are important if you wear sky high heels.Unless you’re going for a vintage look, flat fronts pants and much more flattering than pleated. Black, camel, white or pinstripe are the most widely endearing styles. A classic dress pant has the power to turn you into a ‘take no prisoners’ business woman. “I like to move fast, and wearing high heels was tough and low heels with a skirt is unattractive. So pants took over.” -Katharine Hepburn
look eight
look eight
fitted blazer statement blouse pefect jean
One of the simpliest essentials, is the now the item of the moment. Hundreads of designer denim brands are fighting for our attention. However, the best jeans are old and worn in, nothing feels better than slipping into your go to pair of jeans. Denim was first invented during the Gold Rush of 1853 when those going west needed a more durable fabric for sifting through mud in search of riches. Leo Strauss, of Levi Strauss, created a waxed canvas he called denim and with that created an empire in fashion.Picking denim can be a daunting and sometimes frusturating task. It’s imporatnt to fucous on fit and not on the size, once youve found the best fit, stick with it no matter the brand name. The average American owns 8.3 pairs of jeans , but everyone women has that one pair that instantly makes them feel sexy. There are four types of denim buyers out there. The classicist who trusts her 501’s with her heart. The Fashion Follower who is contantly buying the hottest denim brands like True Religion and Joe’s Jeans.The Euro shops for designers jeans only, such as Gucci and Versace. The eco buyer wears only environmentally friendly denim like Rogan and Edun. Because of this, the denim buying process tends to be overwhelming, however denim is not about the label but about the fit and feeling. When purchasing your jeans, look for ones with stretch so that they naturally fit to your body. Consider breaking out of the box with black or colored denim, which is a trendier option. Expect to have your jeans tailored, finding the perfect fit is rare but bringing them to a tailor ensures longevity. Make sure you try on every brand, style and size; whatever makes you feel the sexiest is your perfect jean.
look nine
look nine
statement blouse pefect skirt cardigan Oversized cardigans are the best way to keep warm and cozy without slipping into sweatpants. The cardigan made its first high fashion appearance on the Marc Jacobs runway in his infamous grunge collections. The sweaters were styled with flannels, combat boots and flirty skirts. The cardigan began its long life as a style essential in 1854. During this time, the seventh Earl of Cardigan was looking for an extra layer of warmth during the Crimean War, and from that the cardigan sweater was born. The best version of this oversized look will have four buttons with two pockets in the front. Major retailers like H&M and Neiman Marcus carry a wide variety of cardigans, but discovering one at a thrift store ensures you’re buying a unique piece. Cardi’s can be worn over a soft tee or dress with a belt to add shape. Contrasting the grundy sweater with floral prints adds stylish appeal.
look ten
look ten
statement blouse little black dress The most essential and versatile item in every women’s wardrobe is the little black dress. One cannot simply find the perfect LBD, it finds them when they least expect it. Just like denim, it’s all about your body type and style preference. Some of fashions greatest moments were in little black dresses. Coco Chanel can be thanked for creating the essential piece which was an instant success. In 1961, Audrey Hepburn wore the famed Givenchy LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany’s which sold for $920,909 at auctions in 2006. In 1994, the little black dress got a grungy upgrade when Elizabeth Hurley dawned a Versace LBD with large gold safety pins holding it together at the sides.the LBD will instantly take you from frumpy to fashion forward. The little black dress is available in thousands of styles from millions of vendors. the LBD can be found at every price point, from Forever 21 to the original Chanel. Spending a little more on your little black dress is worth it; take the cost of the dress divided by the number of times it will be worn. The little black dress is one of the most timeless pieces a women can purchase, so quality is of the utmost importance. Pay close attention to fabric is important, the best materials will ensure your dress lasts seasons after season. Of course, youll be dancing the night away in your LBD to movability is imperative. When styling your LBD, think of it as a blank canvas; have fun with your accessories! The key to the little black dress is the women in it, so confidence is your most essential accessory. “When the little black dresss is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.” -Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.