IBJ Style Extra: Refind Originals photos

In my last column, which will hit newsstands tomorrow in the IBJ (read it, you'll like it) I discuss Anita Hopper's handbag business, which she runs from her adorable home in Irvington. If you've read that already you may want to just skip the sappy part that will ensue and just look at the photos that wouldn't fit on that darn paper page. For those of you who haven't read the column or if you just really like it when I wax poetic about people who remind me of my mom, read on.

Anita, of Refind Originals, makes bags out of leather jackets she finds at thrift stores, or out of leather jackets people send her for use as a custom bag. I cannot resist affordable custom goods, so I had Anita make me a purse. Of course I first asked my mom and close friends if they had anything leather and ugly they could donate to my cause, but I should've known better than to think any of those stylish people would buy and then keep something ugly.

So I coaxed a friend into helping me hunt for something at Goodwill. You know who you are, you trooper. By the way, how does your mom like that Florida mug?

In all my greedy excitement over getting a custom handbag, I didn't consider how personal Anita's job can get. Women send jackets worn by their deceased husbands, people write her heartfelt thank you notes when they receive their bag.

And it makes sense that Anita should get much love out of this business, because she puts so much in. She and I sat in her living room and bonded over handmade accessories, which is why I love my job so, so much.

Here are the before and after shots of the bag that now ably carries my treasured Kate Spade sunnies and well, my life. If you need one too, go here

Midwest Fashion Week Schedule: Very late

OK, so it starts tomorrow.
Who plans ahead these days anyhow?

The full schedule is below so you all can pencil in your dossiers, but first, a note about MWFW:

As a turbo rookie in the world of reporting I pre-judged this pioneer of an event. What I realize now is it too was a rookie when I first came in contact with it. But in the last two years both the event and myself have grown in our careers and honed our skills.

Yes, last year's VIP fashion show included lights coming on at inopportune times and music that did not match the models' choreography. But I'm gonna go ahead and say this year will be better than last year, just like last year was better than the year before that.

New this year is a collaboration with Fashion Group International and the Art Institute's fashion program. The Thursday event at the Scottish Rite Cathedral (mentioned below) is a fine example of this partnership. I'll be judging the student fashion show and will be decked out in my new (well, new to me) plaid Marc Jacobs dress. Say hi if you see me!

So, the schedule, as promised:

Midwest Fashion Week Schedule

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Meet and Greet at the Conrad Hotel
Location: Conrad Indianapolis
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Admission: open to media, fashion insiders, & business owners Registration is required

Thursday, October 15, 2009
Scottish Rite Cathedral
650 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
Time: 6:00PM-11:00PM
Friday, October 16, 2009
Admission: $25.00 general public

Midwest Fashion Week Trunk Show
Time: 10am-6pm
Location: Indianapolis Art’s Garden
110 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Great way to shop!
* Trunk show featuring Local & surrounding designers and Major retail store
Admission: Free to general Public

Runway Show Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

Saturday, October 17, 2009
Spectrum of Fashion
Scottish Rite Cathedral 650 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204

VIP reception Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

VIP Reception includes
• Bentley red carpet entrance
• Cocktails/Hors D’oeuvres
• Meet and Greet Designers and models
• Front row sitting at fashion show
• Rising Star award
Spectrum of Fashion runway show Time 8:00PM – 10:00PM

Admission: $25.00 for regular sitting at runway show, $75.00 for VIP
Host: Stacy Paetz

Get a special rate on your hotel reservation when you book through Conrad. Just say Midwest Fashion Week event!

Featuring Designers: Catou, Kayoss Designs, J and J child, Catherine Fritsch, G. Ingles, Laura Kathleen, Antonio Fermin, B Trousseau couture, Emily Clark, Jennifer Wehlacz, Judy Mintze, Nancy Lee, Sylvia Gray, Replica, Leo the Fith, Aesthetic, Sharp

Indieana Handicraft Exchange=awesome

My Saturdays usually contain little activity aside from sleep, that is, until 5 p.m. when I roll out of bed and make myself presentable for cocktail schlepping at Nicky Blaine's. This past Saturday though, was oddly stylish, far divorced from my usual weekend uniform of slippers and whatever I slept in. My vastly talented, furniture designing friend Ben Langebartels and I ventured to the Indieana Handicraft Exchange, a maiden voyage for us both.

For those of you who haven't been, it's a craft fair without the dumb, country stuff. There are no sewing boxes adorned with hot glue gun-affixed buttons. There are no vests made from Butterick patterns, "artfully" personalized with puffy painted winter scenes. There are only young, cool people sitting behind their booths of equally cool stuff, waiting for someone to come along and gasp.

Albeit Ben and I stood out like sore thumbs among the ranks of Indy's proudest punky crowd. Other than my tiny nose stud and sole tattoo that no one can see I don't really fly my freak flag for the general public. And Ben's buzz cut paired with a Salvation Army-found mechanic's shirt was no match for the male fashion standard. We'll do better next year, oh yes, we will.

So on to the good stuff, what i bought. And relax, there are only two items.

• wooden drop earrings by Studio AMF. I admired Allison Ford long before I met her on Saturday and way before she chased after me when I left my debit card at her booth. (silly me) But now I admire her even more She uses her grandfather's woodworking tools, and technique, to create smooth-as-butter jewelry in simple-yet-imaginative shapes. I knew straight away I'd be purchasing the elongated tear drop earrings with their dainty silver (real silver, not glitter) specks.

  From Haute in the Heartland

  True artisan craftsmanship for $36? Yes, please.
• organza flowers bib necklace by Backwoods Belle. It sort of reminds me of the drool-worthy pieces by Marlaina Stone, of Fair Royal Oak, Mich. but without the unattainable prices. Marlaina, if you're reading this, your stuff is totally worth a million bucks, which is why I own none of it. The necklace below, however, was $40. That's still outside the scope of my newly enforced budget, but my parents never read this so it'll be our secret. Wink!
  

  From Haute in the Heartland