Local visionary Rylin Mariel is hard to miss: Her brightly colored outfits, mendhi-like body paint, spiky hairstyles and fringed scarves set her apart in the best way. For years, women have asked her how she achieved her look. “I tell them that it just comes from a synthesis of the things I love most in life—my greatest influences,” Mariel explains. When asked for style pointers, she would say, “I don’t want you to dress like I do, I want you to dress like what expresses your inner self.” After having that conversation enough times, Mariel decided that a class was in order—one to teach others to foster creativity in their dress while approaching clothing with a sustainable mindset (no need to throw away outdated styles, just revamp them).
Mariel’s clothing series, Dressing Outside the Box, touches on topics such as basic thrift-store recreations, pattern-making and sewing, medieval/modern patterns and individual projects. The introductory class begins Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m. Designer Myah Hubbell will discuss Recyclone, her recycled-clothing line. The class (and subsequent workshop on Saturday, April 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) will be held at Asheville Friends Meeting House (227 Edgewood Road, Asheville). Donations will be accepted. Bring a sketchbook. Info: sewwhat999@graffiti.net.
• [1 & 2] Dresses by Myah Hubbell, modeled by Sara Legatski, owner of Honeypot.
• [3] “Two Chiffons” by Rylin Mariel, made from a silk chiffon skirt and her great-grandmother’s 1930s evening gown.
• [4] Mariel’s black rayon seersucker lace-up vest, gauze blouse and black velveteen skirt made from the bottom of a dress.
Try this on
Poor Little Rich Girl (75 Walnut St.), downtown Asheville’s newest consignment shop, recently opened its doors. The resale boutique, located in the Castanea Courtyard, features new and traded women’s clothing ranging in size from 0 to 12. Look for labels like Betsey Johnson alongside obscure vintage pieces—and if that isn’t motivation enough, nothing in the shop is more than $100. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Alli! ROFL! ;D I don’t paint those white designs on my face every day: Miss Kitty put them on there about six years ago, and they’ve been there ever since. Love ya anyway, thanks so much for the coverage!
Best,
Rylin