Local Art is OK.

Somewhere down the line Oklahoma got the reputation of being “behind the times” in the fashion industry. Someone once told me, “Europe invents it, California and New York get it 6 months later, and Oklahoma gets it 6 years after that.” “Noooo! Say it isn’t so!” I hollered (dramatization). I think I can speak for all of us fashion lovers in Oklahoma when I say, “We shall fix it.”
The Plaza District (16th and Penn for those of you in OKC) is an up and coming retail area with tons of local artists and business owners with original ideas on how the fashion world can improve in Oklahoma. There are antique stores, emporiums, and shops such as Collected Thread (everything sold is locally handmade or vintage), DNA Gallery (also handmade goods or redesigned vintage), JuJu Gallery (handmade art and other curious goods), Shop Good (a portion of EVERYTHING you buy goes to community development projects), and Warpaint Clothing Company, where my top is from. Warpaint’s apparel is all inspired by rock ’n roll and Oklahoma heritage.
My only beef with complaining about how Oklahoma will never be as cool/hip/trendy as New York or Cali is that we are doing nothing to fix it. These business owners and artists are! So, I simply ask we all do our part. For me, that “part” is simply buying from and supporting these and other local businesses that are striving to be different and original and yet still fashion-forward. For Derek and Travis, the owners of Warpaint, their part is creating and representing our beautiful Oklahoma heritage by screen printing their art in the back of their shop. Little steps, my friends!
If you aren’t from OK, you can still support these businesses.
The Plaza District: http://www.plazadistrict.org/
Message the Warpaint fellas on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/warpaint-clothing/186177218088
Collected Thread: http://www.collectedthread.com/
Also, I encourage you to find the local artists and business owners in YOUR city. Chances are the owners are awesome and want to be your friend.

Bones anchor top - $25 Warpaint Clothing
Distressed/patch denim shorts - $80 Lucky Brand
Dual-tone boots - $68 Urban Outfitters

Love love,
Staci