HOP SING VIBES with M'Lynn

I just love a girl with Salt water in her veins and willing to rock my fav-o-rite clothing item ever... OVERALLS and worn in the funky-cool not farm-y way they should be worn!  M'Lynn is that girl! She arrived at Hop Sing for her photoshoot in vibrant living color, with fun pastel pink ombré curls ready to play dress up! What a great time we had, and the images speak for the warm season ahead...  Hello Summer! Hello Road-trips! Hello Sand! Hello Music Festivals!!! 

NAME: M'Lynn
PLACE OF BIRTH: Sierra Vista, AZ
OCCUPATION: Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (I monitor nerves during brain and spine surgery)
AGE (if you'd like to share): 23

Describe your "signature look"... 

"Boho chic, relaxed, practical. I want to look fabulous but also be ready to ride my bicycle wherever or go hike in the woods with my dogs."

Who or what inspires you? 

Any woman who takes a new trend or fashion, makes it all her own and rocks it.  Confidence makes or breaks every outfit.

What makes you feel beautiful? 
"When I get to lounge with my dogs and loved ones after a long day of saltwater, sand, and waves. Sun-kissed skin and salty hair will always make me feel gorgeous."

Name an item of clothing you can't live without... 

My black fringe Minnetonka moccasin boots. Amazingly versatile.

    

                         

The biggest splurge in your closet...
Let's not talk about it...(looking at you, thigh-high black leather boots)

The biggest waste of money in your closet... 

Crappy flats and cheap blazers. Contrary to what your parents tell you, business wear does NOT have to be conformist or boring.

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn, and what made it special? 

My father gave me a stunning black lace dress for Christmas one year. I wore it to ring in my 21st birthday and many times afterwards and I always feel completely gorgeous yet ridiculously comfortable in it. I haven't yet found a dress that classy and that much fun to dance in.                            

        
What's your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?
"Sea salt dark chocolate, lavender biscuits, and a perfect cappuccino. Decadent, simple, perfect."

Do you have a style icon? Please describe: 

My mother. Our styles are radically different but she taught me how to love clothes and to love the game of putting them together unexpectedly to look fabulous. I know no woman with better style.

What is your beauty/skincare routine?
Wash twice a day with organic face wash, moisturize with rose hip seed oil,  apply mascara, maybe some eyeshadow, swipe my lips with some hazelnut oil and boogie out the door!    

                                      

                                  

     

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now? 

How young I feel, but how mature everyone seems to perceive me. I'm an adult! What?!

The best advice you've ever received? 

"Letting emotions guide your decisions for love, work, clothes, anything, is not weak, but the only way to love and live authentically."

Do you believe in destiny? 

I don't. I believe each person carves their own path and can change it as they please.

What's next for you? 

Getting out of the country as soon as possible and getting under the waves! 

Thank you M'Lynn! You inspire us! ❤️

HOP SING VIBES... with Breanna!

Silk embroidered tunic - Odd Molly, cutoff shorts - Free People • hand-rubbed vintage distressed boots - BedStÜ

I haven't known this stunning and ethereal beauty for long, but her "beyond-her-age fashion savvy" is what drew her into my world. At only 18 years old she exudes an honest, fluid and natural self-expression that many woman twice her age lack. In this day and age, so many young women are buying into cheap and disposable trendy fashions; Breanna has an appreciation for high quality and design that belies her age.  She chooses wisely and invests in truly special pieces when she can afford the opportunity.  

She is remarkable! 

- Lauren

Graphic tee by Chaser, denim cutoffs by Free People

Name: Breanna Burkizer

Place of birth: Glendale, Arizona
Age: 18

Describe your "signature look"...
My signature look would have to be messy hair, winged eyeliner, and red lipstick.

Who or what inspires you?
Surrealism, music, photography, and nature inspires me most to be who I am.

What makes you feel beautiful?

I feel most beautiful when I have my makeup the way I love it, and when I'm wearing things that make me feel confident and cute.

Name an item of clothing you can't live without...

I cannot live without cute summer dresses and denim shorts.

Backless maxi dress & bralette by Free People 

"...anything from Wildfox- so worth it because nothing makes you feel as cute and comfortable!" - Breanna

The biggest splurge in your closet…

The biggest splurge in my closet would have to be anything from Wildfox- but they are so worth it because nothing makes you feel as cute and comfortable!

The biggest waste of money in your closet...
The biggest waste would have to be these very unflattering sparkly jeans I bought in Chicago. I didn't really want them, but the sales associate pushed me into getting them.

Graphic tee by Chaser, checkered trousers by Free People

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn, and what made it special?The most memorable piece of clothing I've worn is the dress I wore to my graduation.  It was so beautiful and vintage, I felt like a 40's pin up girl in it- which is one of my favorite looks.

      

Sheer Knit Graphic Top by WILDFOX ,Silk Jogger Pants by Chaser

What's your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?

My guilty pleasure would have to be the amount of candy I have.  I actually bought a 4 pound tub of redvines for myself yesterday. Oops!

"The biggest surprise about being 18 is realizing that being 18 does not make you a grown up."
                  - Breanna

Delicate embroidered blouse by Timo

What is your beauty/skincare routine?
The most important part of my skin care routine would be making sure all my makeup is off at night. I use the clarisonic brush to get everything off, and then follow it up with toner and moisturizer.

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now?
The biggest surprise about being 18 is realizing that being 18 does not make you a grown up, unlike I always thought when I was younger.

Print henley shirt by Odd Molly, cotton cardi by Pure Handknits

"Everything you have ever done has brought you to the moment you are in right now." - Breanna

Please share the best advice you've ever received?
The best advice I've received is being told to truly live in the moment. To clear the noise in my head, look at everything that is around me, and take it all in and be completely aware, because you only get one life and if you aren't enjoying every second you'll end up regretting it.

Do you believe in destiny?

I do believe in destiny, I believe everything happens for a reason, and that everything you have ever done has brought you to the moment you are in right now. That is truly something to appreciate and recognize.

What's next for you?
What's next for me is to continue doing the things that I love and to immerse myself in everything that inspires me.  I know that will take me somewhere great.

Thank you Breanna, you inspire us! 

♥

HOP SING VIBES... with Gudrun!

From the very first time this tall, attractive, and quietly confident woman walked through the door, all I could think of was how incredible she would look in our clothing... I wanted to run over and just beg her to try on a few choice pieces that would look perfect on her, but I refrained from accosting her - for at least 30 minutes! The power of restraint! Haha!

Meet Gudrun, she has been a Hop Sing enthusiast for about 3 years and she appreciates the whole unique process...  meaning she loves the involvement when we make special suggestions and help her choose styles that she may otherwise have passed by, especially when those pieces become favorite additions to her wardrobe. To my delight she allows me help her choose pieces that will compliment her life & personal style. It's truly a love, love relationship!  We love her & she loves us!  - Lauren

Name:  Gudrun Miller

Place of Birth:  Goerits, East Germany near the Baltic Sea, formerly Prussia.  Born right after WWII.  I grew up in Berlin and my family emigrated to the United States when I was 7.

Occupation:  Professional Counselor, Visionary artist and metaphysical teacher focusing on soul psychology.

Age: 67

Describe your signature look:  Funky but fashionable.  Casual but stylish. 

Who or what inspires you?  I am influenced by current fashion trends.  Lauren has been my greatest inspiration recently.

What makes you feel beautiful?  I like to look different.  Good quality stylish clothes help me feel beautiful.

Name an item of clothing you can't live without:  A great pair of jeans or two or three!  Now AG jeans.

What's the biggest splurge in your closet?  I think now it is Odd Molly clothing which I love and treat almost as collector's items!  Other than that, it is Native American jewelry made by artists who are friends. 

The biggest waste of money in your closet:  When clothes look good on me, I want to purchase them.  A lot of clothes look good on me so I am having to be more mindful of what I will actually wear!

What's the most memorable piece of clothing you've worn and what made it special?  I am looking for that piece!  It is the primal quest!

What is your guilty pleasure/something you can't resist?  A great glass of red wine.  or white!

Do you have a style icon?  I think now it is Lauren who embraces beauty in women regardless of age or size.  Other than that, it is whichever woman I may see that is happy in her skin.  I saw this a lot more in Europe and in South America, mainly Brazil where the women seemed so confident of their beauty regardless of age or body size.

What is your beauty/skin care routine?  I do minimal things regarding makeup.  I am very conscious of eating healthy and I use mainly simple things on my skin, organic if possible.  I am now also using essential oils internally and externally which seems to be helping my overall health and well being.

"...one of my missions in this life was to learn to love myself."

What has been the biggest surprise about the age you are now?  I am amazed that I love life!  I see the signs of aging and I am not overly concerned.  Mostly I am grateful to have wisdom and inner peace.  I wish I had known this when I was younger.

The best advice you have ever received:  This came from a spiritual source that informed me that one of my missions in this life was to learn to love myself.  I do now and that love has allowed me to forgive all that have ever hurt me and to forgive myself for my own shortcomings.

Do you believe in destiny?  Yes.

What's next for you?  I am open to that.

Thank you so much, Gudrun! You inspire us!

♥

Yeah... I'm back from market, so why am I so depressed?

3/6/2015 12:37:00 AM Fashion Critic @Large: Price versus quality

Lauren Woltman Kudos columnist There is a saying in China that "if you want to know what colors are currently in fashion all you need to do is look at the rivers." Women love clothes, and young women especially tend to think of the fashion industry as glamorous, and beautiful and I don't know what... so when I tell people I'm a buyer for women's clothing, the immediate response is usually: "Wow!" "Awesome!" "Lucky..." Today I am reporting to you fresh off a major buying trip. And although I love what I do, it's not all good. I pride myself on sourcing better quality at the best price. And, yet, year after year I see the marketplace shifting toward buying trends I cannot support.  In today's column I bring you an industry fashion insider's perspective. I have been "lucky" enough to attend many a trade show over the past two decades. Most of these shows are segregated by quality and price point, but not entirely. Not quite fashion week, but you get to see major slices of the spectrum of clothing being offered. There are miles and miles and thousands upon thousands of brands - at every price point. From designer labels to celebrity lines, nationally branded to indie labels, up and coming foreign and domestic designs - but most of all you can find loads of cheaply made fashion. There is even a huge show dedicated to "Off Price" merchandise, which offers a majority of overproduced, mostly cheaply imported, often slightly defective or irregular fashions that are touted as "Guaranteed" to provide retailers with enormous profit margins that the American mass consumer gobbles up - like hot dogs and apple pie. And if price is your king, you probably have much of that show hanging in your closet.  I think consumers need to be more aware of profit margins and quality vs. quantity. Ask yourself, why is this stuff so cheap? Where was it made? What is it made of? How much could a worker have been paid to make it? While at market I picked up a cute dress, and it looked like something I might desire to own and wear. It was unbelievably priced at $9 wholesale with a minimum of six units. As I examined the construction and details I was appalled. It looked like it would unravel before I ever wore it. The fabric content appeared misspelled, when truthfully it was a trick to sound real when it was a synthetic fabric manufactured to look like linen. And, it was as far from linen as linen can get. It also said "Dry Clean Only." The final straw was a hang tag with a warning label instructing to: "Wash garment BEFORE wearing"! The foreign salesman interjected, "This best seller! You can mark way up! Cut tag off once you buy." I walked away sad and seriously wondering if this business I love will be able to provide me with any financial stability in my future. I just can't buy into this culture of crap. Now let me ask you, how often do you wash a garment before you wear it? I haven't pre-washed anything since the Levi's shrink-to-fit days. You see, there is a breed of consumer - someone who grew up on Claire's and Forever 21. They want more and more for less and less, and they don't care where it's made or how, so long as it's cheap and trendy. What's more disheartening is the fact that the industry is kow-towing to this woman, supporting disposable trends, and unethical manufacturing simply to meet the demands of debt-ridden consumers whom either don't know any better, or don't care. But it's cute? That dress you're purchasing at a bargain price was made by small hands paid next to nothing in faraway places, of cheap or synthetic fabric, dyed with hazardous chemicals and some (illegal in this country) pesticides were thrown in for good shipment. But it looks OK to you? Furthermore, consumers, you're not actually saving on anything. Here's a little fashion industry secret... YOU'RE BEING SWINDLED BY BARGAIN PRICED CRAP! Retailers know what prices you're used to, what prices you're immune to, and what you consider a "deal." The less they pay for the goods, the more they make off of you. Think they're passing savings onto you? Absolutely not. The "savings" are built into their profit margins, not passed on to the consumer. In other words, the less they pay, the more they profit. They're simply buying a dress for $10 pricing it at a 5.0 margin (WELL above industry standards). They then mark the dress at 50 percent off and you're thinking, "Wow, I'm getting such a great deal." In reality, they're profiting off of your trust and making more than they would on a higher-priced, quality garment sold at full MSRP.  There is no bargain, my friends. The sale price was a farce and that pretty dress will most likely fall apart in a few months unless you actually care for it like you paid $300. How likely is that? That just opens up a whole other can of worms... false economy, consumer culture, mass waste, environmental impact. And how was your week? Lauren Woltman is the owner of Hop Sing Trading Co. in the Bashford Courts, 130 W. Gurley St.

Discover your Individual Fashion Persona...

Michael Kors said "70 percent of the clothes you own should be meat and potatoes, 30 percent should be icing and fluff - that's color, pattern, shine, accessories. Too many women get the proportions the other way round, then can't figure out why they can't get dressed."

So why not make an effort to change? Enjoy the financial rewards and satisfaction of investing in a more functional wardrobe! Today  we're talking "Clothing Personality". Defining yours can be rewarding, however refining it is an art! Having a signature style is easier on the wallet, easier on the soul and seriously easier when getting dressed every day.

The following is a list of questions to ask yourself that may help you define your personal style trademark. The goal is to create a style that is uniquely yours, looks great on you and feels even better! Why should you care? Because millions of women are suffering and they may not realize it. You need to know your fashion-self and help her edit and or build the perfect wardrobe with pieces that are loved and thoroughly enjoyed when you're wearing them! Ultimately this can help eliminate living with a closet packed with clothes that are not quite right for - whatever reason - you know, the things you don't wear or even like all that much. Or worse, never wore them at all? Perhaps you're a victim of the dreaded price-tag-still-attached syndrome? Thus, creating the vicious cycle of making it much harder to part with those boo-boos, because they've become a shrine to how much money you've wasted. The crazy thing is that, even though you may own plenty of clothes, you somehow know deep down that you lack the basic foundation for a simply enjoyable, versatile and ultimately "wearable" wardrobe.

Answer the following questions -on paper ... in pencil.

Do you have a personal style icon? If so, answer the three following questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about the way she looks?

2. Are you being realistic about your body type if you follow her style example?

3. Is your lifestyle compatible with that look?

It's time to update your shoe closet. You're in a shoe store:

1. What matters most? Comfort or style?

2. What type of shoes do you instinctively look for?

You just won a closet makeover from your favorite store, which store would you beeline to? (Your answer here best defines your favorite fashion look ... and don't allow geography stand between you and this answer! Remember, we are seeking your fashion identity here, let's go all out!

1. What look does that particular store uniquely offer?

2. Would that look fit your lifestyle?

What type of accessories dominate your wardrobe? 

1. Simple and understated?

2. Bold and blingy? 

3. Accessories?

5. Don't quite know?

If your answers are scattered it could mean you like different styles, but it also can mean that you may be suffering from a clothing multiple personality disorder, a confusion created when you're strongly influenced by others to wear clothes not wholly fitting with your inborn personality. It could be induced by a mother, a husband, a job, a fear... 

How you answered these simple questions might help you define your clothing personality, and she might need professional help! It's okay to ask for help, it's not okay to let someone else make the final decision! You must be present and accounted for in the final cut. The only way to know if a style is innately yours is to try it on at your favorite fashion purveyor and see if you're "feeling it." I see a lot of women "team shopping," and asking girlfriends, "Do you think I would wear this?" You shouldn't ask a friend to answer that extremely personal question, you must be true to your own eyes, thoughts and visceral connection to that piece, it's an investment in you. 

Do you love it? Does it make you feel good? How else will you wear it? Where will you wear it? If the answers are there for YOU ... buy it, wear it and own it — In every sense of the word!

Living Vicariously... It's fun!

Everyone believes in the sun, even when it doesn't shine...

I believe in love, even when it isn't shown. I believe in GOD, even when he doesn't speak. 

I love life and I'm in pursuit of living it to the fullest...  But, I admit, I really enjoy living vicariously!  

In this age of information we are able to find inspiration through design, film, social media, and google - just to name a few... For me, my mannequins, aka "the Natashas", allow me to take (size 6) fashion journeys; imagining what they're going to wear, "cuz shes going on an adventure, a first date, a wedding... Ohhhh ohhh ohhh, shes the Bride!...." See, I'm all ready getting lost in my own story, in my mind.  In the Natasha's hollow little plastic minds... 

Thankfully there are the ladies who often ask me, my favorite request:  

"Can you help me with some fashion inspiration?" 

These are the moments when my passion for vicarious fashion becomes sport!  So fun, and so wonderful to go on these little adventures with you!  Live vicariously through you... Just for the moment.  

Who do you wish you could live vicariously through?  Just for a minute... just for fun...

♥

Hi! I'm Lauren!

'

Hi! I'm Lauren.

The owner of Hop Sing Trading Company and a four year resident of Prescott. I grew up in Pacific Beach, California, and spent thirty three years living on the beautiful island of Kauai. Needless to say, I've spent a good portion of my life with sand between my toes, and I blame the beach for the unique fashion perspective I've carried across land and sea. If you've visited Hop Sing, you know it's unlike anything else in town, which often prompts the question: "How do you choose the fashions for your store?"  I'm quick to reply: "I buy what I love!". However, I also believe that we are all influenced by the people, places and experiences in our lives. 

Anyone with an original business concept will tell you that- like writers or artists, we pour our life's path of influences, passions and experiences into our work. Regardless of if we sell clothing or paint landscapes, we should all strive to be original and passionate about our chosen profession.

Many of my customers are surprised by the fearlessness of the fashions in my shop. I recognize that fearlessness as a direct result of having been exposed to many free-spirited individuals in my lifetime. I am also influenced by the bigger picture. I am an info-maniac. I am eager to know the backstory and provenance of the things I buy. It matters to me who made it and where, and what sets that item apart from the rest? I grew up in a family who made it a common practice to buy better quality everything- from organic food to unique fashion. Though money was not plentiful in our house, I was taught that it was more economical to purchase better quality and lasting style over quantity and short term satisfaction. Handcrafted trumped mass produced. My dad was a world famous pro-surfer in the 1960's and although pro-surfers today have multi-million dollar sponsorship contracts, I can assure you that monetary prestige was not part of the package way back when. 

I guess you could say that I grew up in a sort of "Gidget" inspired surfing-subculture. On a daily basis we were surrounded by family and friends who held many different life and style perspectives, but all of them fearless. Famous surfers and their lovely lady friends came from far away countries like Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. What I remember most is that these well-traveled bohemians felt completely free to express themselves, both fashionably and otherwise. My fashion foundation was laid with the bold fashion statements and glowing tans of surf gods and their goddesses. Another pillar of my fashion upbringing was my mother's sister. 

She was a true one of a kind, free-spirited 60's rebel who painted her surf inspired boutique, located in the middle of high-end, high-muckity-muck La Jolla, California, in an artistic rainbow spectrum, despite complaints galore! Many of her neighboring retailers were sure that the town had been infiltrated by hippies, and they were right! My Aunt held her head high, smiled and besides a few crazy stories that could be told... she won the hearts of many, her shop became highly successful and her clientele, was diverse. This wild child definitely influenced me, and my destiny. I'll forever remember the intoxicating smell of new clothes, freshly tanned leather and coconut surf wax.  Surf stars and movie stars mingled, as fashions high and low-end converged, to form a beautiful bohemian dream. It wasn't uncommon to find Patty Duke and John Aston hanging out and chatting with customers, as if they were just regular folks! My dear aunt impacted my life more than she would ever know... she helped create the quirky fashion junky I am today.  

So it seems as if you can take the girl away from the beach, but you can't take the beach away from the girl. Come in to Hop Sing to experience my own version of that bohemian dream, and tell me... who would you describe as your greatest fashion influence, or lifestyle icon?  I'd love to know!

                                                                                                                                  Aloha!

Hop Sing "Peeps" are the most FUN!

Shopping? No. It's more like a ... Three Day Marathon!

It's fashion market season, and my mama and I are heading to Las Vegas, baby! Yep, I'm packing my most comfy market shoes, 'coz there is going to be some serious mileage put on my poor feet! For those who attend these events, it's a vast, voyeuristic, hard-hitting, music pounding, party atmosphere.  It's a brash, over-the-top, multi-venue, multi-price point, multi-categorized extravaganza staged for an audience of thousands of fashion industry insiders.  Whhhew!

By this time next week, I will have previewed countless samples of the latest and greatest the fashion world has created to "dazzle me, delight me, and officially write me". For those who don't know the the trade lingo, "writing" is the entire purpose of going to market. At market, I will thoughtfully write dozens of purchase orders, amounting to the entirety of Hop Sing's Autumn & Winter 2014 inventory. I'm often asked: how do I know what the trends will be that far ahead of the season? My answer is... I don't! I put on my best clairvoyant/poker face and bet on a win. Of course I look for the styles and colors that viscerally attract me. I'm true to myself, or at least I try really hard to be. Sales pitches by rep's about "best-sellers" and "favorites" rarely influence my decision. I'm most likely thinking of you, my dear customer.  I think of your style, and who among you would look amazing in the pieces I see. I see a Hop Sing fashion show in my head!

Confidently, we will trek the shows seeking emerging designers and sourcing independent labels- all the while competing for exclusivity alongside the buying teams for retailers like Modcloth, Polyvore & ShopBop and industry giants like Bergdorf's, Bloomingdales, Macy's, Neiman Marcus & Nordstrom's, as well as International and multi-national department chain stores and swanky high-end resort boutiques. Yes, we've squeezed and wiggled our way into a fancy-schmancy showroom or two, determined to write opening orders with a fair share of fine contemporary labels, unique and cult labels - the ones you expect to find at Hop Sing. The kind of labels who have hefty "buy-in" minimums, the kind of labels that many small boutiques are afraid to write, however, because of YOU, and your amazing sense of style and appreciation of quality, we are able to do this, and do it well. THANK YOU!

Pre-market, my email inbox overflows with sales pitches. One-liners such as: "Selling out super fast", "Appointments limited must book now". It's trade-show-a-rama!  It's a lot of work, and my feet already ache in anticipation, but we love what we do, and we love the women we're doing it for!