Are you tired of worrying about what to wear? Yes, we women tend to buy clothes and accessories that end up taking more space in our closets than us wearing them. However, there is a way to end these unsustainable spending habits and a new way to approach our wardrobe. Welcome to your new Capsule Wardrobe!

Capsule Wardrobe

A what? Capsule wardrobe? Well, if you are into conscious shopping, you are well aware of this well-thought way of mixing and matching clothes and accessories, without you ever having to worry again about what to wear! It all comes down to focus on a specific number of timeless basics that can be combined in any way you want.

There are several ways to build up your capsule wardrobe, but for this article, we love the Project 3-33-method from Courtney Carver. It comes down to 33 items (accessories included) for one season. Now, you do not have to rush and buy 33 new items.

3 steps to a minimalistic wardrobe

First step: the big closet cleanout

In this step, we are going to clean up our actual closet(s). Courtney suggests you take all of your clothes and organize them into three piles:

• I Love This-pile
• Maybe-pile
• Toss-pile

Second step: make a list of 33 items

Make a list of 33 items of your "I Love This"-pile and mark all the items of clothing, shoes, and accessories included, that you are surely going to wear.

Final step: donate, swap, or resell all the other items.

It might seem very radical to get rid of all the other stuff, but to be able to get to a minimalist wardrobe, something has to go! If this is way out of your comfort zone, start to get rid of all the items of your "toss-pile." You could consider swapping some clothes with a friend (maybe she has an item that would be the perfect match for your new capsule wardrobe). Another way to make the most of your toss-pile is by putting it on sale on specialized platforms or apps. Make sure you only use trust-worthy apps.

Just like starting over

The purpose of the capsule collection is to invest or use timeless fashion attributes. Your budget will go a long way if sticking to the 333 principles: 3 months, 33 items. Imagine all the savings you can do buy not overbuying or being tempted to buy something that will most likely end up collecting dust in your closet.

As you frequently will be wearing these clothes and accessories, you might consider investing in a few high-quality products. The better the quality, the longer it will last. Remember that cheap products are never a good investment. Materials will be of poor quality, and most likely, the fabrics would be produced under questionable conditions.

Consider organic and sustainable materials.

When buying items made of cotton, you want to check the grammage of the t-shirt. The heavier the grammage, the better quality, and the longer your t-shirt will go. Knowing that tees are part of the basics you have, you might want to look into a good quality t-shirt.

For skirts, pants, pull-overs, or jackets, there are a few options that might fit your style and needs: linen, cotton, wool, jeans and, corduroy and leather (vegan leather is definitely an option).

Last but not least: accessories! Besides scarfs and shoes, handbags are absolutely a way to stand out and put your stamp to your capsule wardrobe. Did you know that our bags, even with a classic and timeless design, can perfectly be combined with a more casual, urban, and classy look? A good reason why your capsule wardrobe should include TheOne08 handbag!

As a matter of fact, our bags come with a special gift, just for you: our Leopard Empress Scarf! A most appreciated present by our clients.

This is how our fans use our scarf: 

• as a hair accessory;

• as a sophisticated touch with the handbag itself;

• or as a gift wrap (yes, this also is an option!).

For more tips and info on how to start your minimalistic wardrobe, check https://bemorewithless.com

Source: bemorewithless.com

Dear friends,

We haven't been speaking out much about the latest events in our country. Being from different origins and countries, from all walks of life, we are firm believers in what unites us rather than what divides us. True, we also have our difference in opinions and that is the beauty of democracy. We are free to think what we want and also stand up for what we truly believe in.

As the founder of TheOne08, and as an immigrant from a country that has been mired in conflict, inequality, and injustice, I strongly believe one can choose how to react at any given time to any given situation. The power of individual actions is a foundational belief at TheOne08. So are our thoughts, our voices, our choice to stand up for justice, and ultimately, where we spend our time and our money determines what our impact will be on our community, humanity, and the planet.

My kids identify themselves as American and value the freedom we have. While I realize that so many of us come here seeking a better life and find opportunities for ourselves and our families, we must see this time in America as a turning point, where we begin to collectively make choices for all families, all children, all communities and the planet as a whole.

So, on this 4th of July, we celebrate these freedoms and also look forward to creating a more compassionate and just existence for all beings, everywhere.

Full of joy,

Connected with loved ones,

A blissful day,

But most of all, in respect for one other.

Happy 4th of July!

After long and challenging weeks, countries all over the world are starting to lift the lockdown. Gradually, we can get back to a - more or less - sense of normality.

With a need for our economy to be up and running, so many companies are reinventing themselves and finding new ways that support both their community as well as the economy.

But we also have a strong desire to reconnect with our loved ones. To be able to enjoy some of our social and emotional needs, we might have to adjust to new ways of interacting. Next to a safe distance and basics hygiene rules, the use of face masks and shields will provide a safe way to interact with others.

Creativity thrives!

We just love creative ideas, especially when it comes to making a personal face mask that matches your personality and uniqueness. From discovering a new purpose for bandanas to more effective solutions, we are resourceful when it comes to finding ways to deal with this current situation.

Agreed, all these attributes are not the coolest accessories of our dressing, however, our health and well-being are now our main concern. So why not make these accessories cool, at least, we are showing up for what we believe or stand for in an original way.
 
This too made us reflect and ask ourselves: how can we help? With the need of the community to get back to work and school in a safe way and interact socially in a responsible way, we introduce TheOneO8 Face Shield.

Why a face shield?

In order to be able to appreciate life without self-quarantine, we need to learn to be accountable, especially in the ways we interact with others. No need to say, we love our independence. Being an example and showing others what the options are, we will eventually be enjoying a normal life again. However, this can take some time

Until a long term solution is available, we should consider how we can get our lives back on track or should we say, back on a new track. By getting ready now for the upcoming fall season (and flu-season), we will be prepared and save ourselves a lot of last-minute stress.

While face masks are an excellent start, sometimes it can hinder us to communicate with others. The use of a face shield is also a reminder to maintain some distance and allows visibility of facial expressions and lip movements for speech perception*.

Here are some of the main benefits of using face shields:

• It provides greater facial surface area coverage than masks by protecting all of the areas where the virus enters the body (the eyes, nose, and mouth);
• Face shields appear to significantly reduce the amount of inhalation exposure to droplet-spread respiratory virus**;
• More comfortable to wear than a mask;
• For extra protection while traveling by bus, train or airplane;
• Easy to wear (soft foam for comfort)
• Easy maintenance! Clean carefully with soap water before and after every use;
• Reusable when handled with care;
• Supports the US-economy: made in the USA (Illinois)

A ripple effect with environmental and economic losses.

Some businesses are more affected than others by this crisis. Hospitality and tourism are most likely to be the last ones to be able to offer full services. 
 
This is how our friends of Il Ngwesi in North Kenya are experiencing economic losses due to the Covid-19 crisis. While no major outbreak has hit the country, their biggest economic resource, being eco-tourism, feels the devastating effect of this crisis.
 
It ripples wide and far, in more ways than one can imagine. With safari-trips canceled, lodges forced to close down, a lot of people are unemployed. Unfortunately, poachers may take advantage of this situation. Wildlife conservancies and national parks across the African continent are noticing an increase in the unauthorized killing of endangered species.

This puts at-risk animals like rhinos, elephants, and lions amongst others and brings back the efforts and hard work that these natural parks and conservancies have been doing for so many years. That includes the park rangers of Il Ngwesi too.

A win/win situation

From TheOne08, we are using the resources available to us so we can increase our security and well-being as well as supporting the local economy. We introduce a face shield, manufactured in the USA. 
 
With the benefits of sales of our face shield, we will be able to economically support the rangers of Il Ngwesi. This is our way to contribute so they can continue and guarantee the protection of the wildlife of the conservancy.

#GoodLooksGood

 If you buy one of our face shields, you:

• support the local US-economy (Illinois, USA);
• provide extra protection for front-line workers;
• ensure the operational side of the protection of wildlife at the Il Ngwesi Conservancy (North Kenia).

Your purchase will go a long way!
Click here to order your TheOne08-branded face shield.

Sources:

(*) Eli N. Perencevich, MD, MS1,2; Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS2; Michael B. Edmond, MD, MPH, MPA2.  Moving Personal Protective Equipment Into the Community, Face Shields and Containment of COVID-19.  April 29, 2020. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.7477.
(**) Lindsley  WG , Noti  JD , Blachere  FM , Szalajda  JV , Beezhold  DH .  Efficacy of face shields against cough aerosol droplets from a cough simulator.   J Occup Environ Hyg. 2014;11(8):509-518.

A PURCHASE WITH AN IMPACT: A PORTRAIT OF THREE STRONG WOMEN

This is Bernadette.  Bernadette walks nearly every day from her home in Il Ngwesi to the local sewing center and leads a group of women who volunteer their time to make reusable sanitary napkin kits for the women and girls of the community.  They gather together in this light-filled room with their tattered sewing machines working toward providing a better future for their children by ensuring their girls are not forced to skip school simply because they are menstruating. Our team had the privilege of visiting with Bernadette and her sisters at the sewing center and were both inspired and humbled by their strength and determination. When asked to share her thoughts on the investment in Il Ngwesi that your support will allow, she told us,   “Okay for me I can say my big wish is all our big wishes is to keep this project to be sustainable so that it will be inherited with our daughters, sons, it is something in the community they will keep on remembering for years and years to come. So that's the big dream.”

This is Priscilla.  Priscilla is the only nurse in the Il Ngwesi community.  She runs the humble community-run medical center where she does everything from providing basic healthcare services, to delivering the babies of the village.  Priscilla leaves her own children at her home miles away and lives at the clinic during the week as she is the only lifeline the village has to medical care.  She is quiet but mighty.  Priscilla has a dream for her clinic, and for her community.  When you make a conscious choice to support Priscilla through a purchase from TheOne08, her wishes, and the well-being of an entire community, take a step closer to reality.  “I wish to see every child who is being born, is being born in the right environment, it’s getting what it's supposed to get. Because I have the experience  that many babies who are born, are born to live. Because I’ve worked in a well equipped hospital, for one year I didn’t see neonatal death or anything. So many babies they die because they didn’t receive what they were supposed to receive or they were born without anyone to take care of them. But if the facilities could be improved, no baby should die of delivery or during delivery.”

This is Jackie.  Jackie is the Manager at Il Ngewsi Eco-Lodge and is among a handful of women in leadership roles in the safari industry.  “It’s not common. It’s a unique thing, because most lodges, actually not even being a manager, even other duties like a waiter or a room steward. Most of the time they give the male. Because culturally most men wouldn’t allow their wives coming to work in the lodge. So it’s special, it’s unique, and it shows that we’re moving forward. Identifying like what men can do, even women can do also. So that’s a very motive direction that we’re moving toward.” 

Il Ngwesi, nestled near the foot of Mt. Kenya, is the home of these three beautiful, strong women and many, many more.  They all possess a drive and generosity of spirit that is a revelation.  With the purchase of your bag on our Kickstarter campaign, launching on August 27, 2019, TheOne08 + Il Ngwesi + You will invest in and establish not only the first manufacturing partnership of its kind, which will provide a viable means of livelihood to the community, and with it education, stability and opportunity; but also in the dreams of these three women (and so many like them), for themselves, for their children and for their community.

Part 4: Seeing samples for the first time

There is a pause in between sketching concepts, then drawing technical specs, sending them to the sample maker and waiting to see how they come to life.  Sometimes what worked in your head doesn’t quite work in 3D.  Sometimes things are lost in translation from sketch to spec to pattern to sample.  And sometimes you just nail it.  The sketch, the spec, the patternmaker, the sample maker get it on the first try.  This doesn’t happen often, but when it does it results in pure joy and you know you have something. 

We are patterning with people to make our bags come to life some of the team members have long relationships with.  As I mentioned before, we are a team of support, agility, knowledge and we value relationships.  When you find people in your career that you work well with, that you have ease with, and things can go unsaid or unexplained and they just get it, those are people you want to work with for life.  When you know someone runs their business with heart, with care for its people and its product, you know you’ve found something beautiful.  We are a brand where community, connection and the livelihood of those who are in the entirety of the supply chain matter.  Therefore we must partner with suppliers that also have this intention.

The journey of the first construction sample wasn’t as simple as it is when you are a well-resourced brand.  We had to do some interpretive dance to get there.  But get there we did.  I was used to seeing a sample on the first day at the factory, making corrections throughout the week then leaving with all the samples seen and construction/details signed off on.  This isn’t how it happened on my trip.  But low and behold at the end of the day, before my return flights to the states I got to see half of the samples looking sooo close to the finish line.  Totally jet lagged, not feeling so well, after working for 15 hours I saw samples that made me hug the team with joy. 

It’s hard to explain how that feels.  All I did was made some sketches.  Several people who had never met me before took those sketches and made something out of it.  They made my sketches come to life.  We had to speak in hand gestures and I had to take scissors, sharpies and binder clips to the first sample but when all was said and done at the end of the night we collaborated on the bags and created something I cannot wait to see in the real materials. 

Now the waiting game starts again.  I’m waiting on the correct materials to get to the factory, so we can see everything made up with it.  I am waiting on seeing hardware on the bags.  I am waiting on colorways to make sure they align to the brand and what you are looking for.  Waiting is half of the fun and half of the torture.  Luckily I have made patience and faith my practice.  I have loads of it, for the most part, and faith in this time, more than I can express.

Marnie Quinn