Seamless
Bike Chic | Jet Dispo
Posted on 5/07/13 by Nathan Simpson » No Comments
DPJ’s Bike Chic series by Nathan Simpson. You may see him around town scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Name: Jet Dispo
Occupation: Server at Federal Pizza
His neighborhood: Coronado
Favorite thing about Downtown Phoenix: You don’t have the hustle and bustle of a big city or the weird, closed in vibe of a small town. It’s the best of both worlds.
Favorite places to hang out in Downtown: Windsor, Lost Leaf and Lux.
Favorite places to shop Downtown: Retro Ranch and Grow Op.
How do you get involved? I volunteer with Devour.
What’s your typical biking ensemble: I’m typically wearing my work clothes or what I’m going out in for the night. If I am going for a ride to ride then I’ll just wear shorts and a t-shirt.
Where do you get your style inspiration? I piece outfits together from things I find and get ideas from what I see people wearing.
Biking Essentials:
- Tora Randonneurs tires
- Brooks Saddle
- A good lock
What he’s wearing:
- Shirt – Coto
- Hat – Brookstone
- Levi Khakis
- Shoes – Sperry high top siders
Wire | CO-OPhx Hosts Spring Clothing Swap
Posted on 4/19/13 by DPJ Staff » No Comments
DPJ’s Wire series delivers news and information straight from the source without translation.
CO-OPhx Hosts Spring Clothing Swap to Renew Wardrobes and Spirit in Phoenix Community
Five Swaps, 500 Swappers and 2000 pounds of donated items
Spring is the perfect time for renewal and CO-OPhx is hosting their fifth clothing swap and clothing drive to renew guests’ wardrobes and spirit in the community.
For over a year now, Kelsey Wong and Karla Rasmusson, co-founders of CO-OPhx, one of the largest networking organizations in the Valley, have been spreading the love for secondhand style and giving back to their community by hosting clothing swap and clothing drive events in Phoenix. The events that benefit local charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, Sojourner Center and Clothing Cycle.
With four swaps under their belt, 500 swappers and over 2000 lbs of items donated, Wong and Rasmusson have planned one of the largest “Spring Swaps”. On Sunday, April 21, from 11am to 4 p.m., the front yards of GROWOp, Annie Boomer Vintage and Cellar Door Vintage will be filled with the once-loved clothes of participants for others to swap and take home. Not only will gently used clothes be swapped, but also heartwarming stories of the clothes’ journeys between the attendees.
“It’s really rewarding to see Phoenix coming together. Locals are really craving new ways to connect and be a part of something. Our events are different than your typical guest and entertainer, they are interactive. Every attendee gets to engage,” stated Kelsey Wong, Executive Director, CO-OPhx.
This time around it’s not just the clothing exchange swappers are excited about. “We’ve learned a lot from our past events, we’ve streamlined and cut out the excess. The swap itself is the main event, but now there are separate men and women’s swaps. At past swaps, the women outweighed the men. We’re trying to balance the scales, plus it’s not really fair to the guys,” said Karla Rasmusson, Co-founder, CO-OPhx.
CO-OPhx isn’t stopping at the swap, there are four style tutorials from local boutique owners including Amir from Amir La Voute, Ashley Eaton from Merry May Shoppe, Joshua Hahn from GROWop and Adrian Leisong of Superstition Vintage. Swappers will learn a little bit of everything from how to tie a bowtie to how to shop vintage. If that wasn’t enough, swappers will also get to test out their craftiness with do-it-yourself upcycling booths and of course vintage shopping at the three host stores.
“We love what the clothing swap team is doing to bring fresh faces to the area and show locals that not only is downtown Phoenix community a cool place to be, but that there is a budding vintage district and treasures to be found,” states Joshua Hahn, Owner, GROWop boutique.
After the day of community and fashion, whatever items are not swapped will be donated to ClothingCycle, a non-profit that recycles or reuses 100 percent of items regardless of condition.
“Clothing Cycle is excited to participate in the Spring Clothing Swap because all items donated will be reused or recycled. Every organization we partner with gets paid for every pound collected and 100% of the items will be kept out of landfills,” says Laurie Quartermain, Operations Director, Clothing Cycle.
“Phoenix is all about rebirth and revitalization. We are doing that for clothes and for people’s spirits. That feeling of renewed confidence is priceless,” stated Wong.
Tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door. To register for tickets, swappers can visit swapphx.splashthat.com.
About CO-OPhx:
Founded by Kelsey Wong and Karla Rasmusson in February 2012, CO-OPhx is an organization of inspired individuals with a mission is to foster meaningful connections and build community in Phoenix through fashion, art and food events.
Bike Chic | Phillip Perez
Posted on 4/16/13 by Nathan Simpson » No Comments
DPJ’s Bike Chic series by Nathan Simpson. You may see him around town scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Name: Phillip Perez
Profession: Barista at Giant Coffee
His Neighborhood: F.Q. Story
Favorite thing about Downtown Phoenix: Phoenix has a home-based community surrounding art, food, drinks, music and entertainment.
Favorite places in Downtown Phoenix: Giant Coffee is, of course, my go-to. I also love hanging out poolside at Hotel Palomar.
How are you involved in the community: I volunteer with one n ten, an organization that helps homeless LGBTQ youths.
Usual biking attire: I have an eye for design. I dress for the entire day which is usually business casual. I will dress for the weather.
Favorite places to shop: Thrift stores and consignment shops. Nostra Style House is one of my favorites.
Grooming: I get weekly haircuts at Palabra. My mustache is a part of my Mexican cultural identity. I make my own mustache wax from local beeswax and oils.
Bike: 1987 Centurion Ironman from Phoenix Bicycle Shop.
What he’s wearing:
- Vintage fit Penguin shirt
- Straight-leg, ultra-blue, dark denim 7 Jeans
- Vintage Revue glasses from Italy
- Heirloom bracelet passed down from his grandmother
- Cap toe boots – unknown
Bike Chic | Dre Bunnell
Posted on 4/09/13 by Nathan Simpson » No Comments
DPJ’s Bike Chic series by Nathan Simpson. You may see him around town scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Name: Andria Bunnell (“Dre” to her friends)
Occupation: Bartender/ server at Gallo Blanco and Beckett’s Table
Her Neighborhood: Historic Roosevelt
Favorite places in Downtown Phoenix: I hang out at the The Lost Leaf a lot. I’m also a super foodie. I love St. Francis and Federal Pizza.
Favorite thing about living in Downtown Phoenix: I like going out on my bike at night. I ride around the jail and government buildings where the streets are empty. It feels like your own city.
How do you get involved in your community? I sing in a band (Hot Birds and the Chili Sauce). Every few months we have a jam session at our house. We put out flyers and invite everyone in the neighborhood. I’m really proud of the events because they promote community and bring people together and promote some of what the city has to offer.
What she’s wearing:
- Dress and belt from Buffalo Exchange
- Feathered earrings from vendor at McDowell Mountain Music Festival
- Ring purchased in Redondo Beach
Her biking essentials:
- Bike salvaged from alley
- Front and rear baskets
- Bike repairs done by Derrick at Hood Ride
Bike Chic | Mikey Jackson
Posted on 3/26/13 by Nathan Simpson » No Comments
DPJ’s Bike Chic series by Nathan Simpson. You may see him around town scouting locals who not only ride their bikes but look dapper doing it.
Mikey in front of the mural on 5th Street
Name: Mikey Jackson
Occupation: Bartender at The Lost Leaf/Artist
Favorite thing about downtown Phoenix: Downtown is a village. People look out for each other and they get jazzed about being involved in the community.
Favorite places: I’m obviously biased, but I love The Lost Leaf. Bikini is also a great Phoenix gem that’s off the beaten path. Food wise, I’ve been spending a lot of time at Welcome Diner and I love Federal Pizza.
Where do you go for grooming? I get my hair done at Palabra. I used to just have what I guess you would call a fro, but they do a really great job. They also show art and I have a solo art show coming up there in May.
Typical bike ensemble: If I’m going to be riding a lot in the day, I’ll throw on my old boots that I know I can thrash. Otherwise I just try to dress for the weather.
Biking essentials:
- Bike – Custom built Fetish frame
- No frills – “She’s not a beauty queen. I try to keep my bike simple, easy and practical”
What he’s wearing:
- Vintage, no-tag flannel
- Graphic T shirt – Eighty Grand
- Bolo Tie – gift
- Silver ring – found
- Gemed ring- From Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
Anything you want to plug? My solo art show at Polabra in May. I also have a blog for my art at hellomikey.net.
