Tag Archives: A.bernadette

Notes From the 6 Train: Holiday Trunk Show

Shop small!

I am all about it. I have never participated in Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I’m not a fan of being squished into large small areas with a bunch of rambunctious shoppers. I’d rather be in the house with my friends and family swimmingly in love, (and leftover food.)

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I am lucky enough to work with a company, A. Bernadette, that hold the same type of ideals as me. They don’t seek to be a huge, fashion monopoly, and instead value interpersonal connections with customers. These values were reflected in the holiday trunk show which was buy one, get one free for friends and family.

The trunk show was unlike any other I’ve ever been to. Since it was family oriented, (though it wasn’t my family, but my boss’s, it was super cute to see) we all cooked, ate together and shopped together. (Well, they shopped, I try not to spend allll my pay at the company I work for.)

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This holiday season has been much more family oriented for me than last year. This is a testament to several things; if you are new to the city and still feel alone, it’s OK. Community takes time to build, but if you are open, it comes. Secondly, I am confident in what type of work environment I thrive in and want to continue to work in after graduation. It’s important to honor what type of environment feels right to you and seek out that type of place. This sounds easy enough, but you’d be surprise what type of decisions are made once graduation starts drawing nearer. Once you learn what type of work culture suits you, pay attention.

Maybe then you’ll get invited to fun trunk shows and free food like me!

All things Color, Love, & Fashion,
Ayanna L.

Notes From the 6 Train: A. Bernadette

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In a society filled with unhappy people, seeing passionate people who love what they do is always a treat. This is especially true when they are doing what you want to do and happen to stumble into your classroom… like what happened on Monday. Andrea, a former FIT student & graduate of the International Trade & Marketing department came to my class yesterday to talk to us about the work she’s been doing since graduation. Upon graduation, her and her sister, created A.Bernadette, a company based out of Uganda. The created this company to/ the purpose of this company focuses on what they call the “triple bottom line: People. Planet. Profit.” They do this by bridging the gap between the gap between the consumer in the U.S., and the creator in Uganda, all while maintaining the traditional art forms of Uganda and using materials that are readily available, as opposed to creating more waste.

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What I liked most about this company is that firstly, they created things that are useful. So often, with all these new Eco friendly, fair trade companies that use the talent of artisans all over the world and they all create… bracelets. Now, I love a good bracelet, but there’s only so eco-friendly bracelets any one person will want. A. Bernadette do indeed make bracelets, but they also have a super cute (and functional) cooking bag, (a bag that helps save fuel in which food can be cooked and kept cold if necessary) a coffee cozy, and a host of other items. Secondly, and most importantly, there goods are affordable! Which, in this new world of eco-friendly fashions, can also be a rarity.

Their products are cute, affordable and are created by creative artisans from another country, while also providing a way for these women to sustain themselves. What’s not fashionable about that?

All things Color, Love & Fashion,

Ayanna L.

Here’s the link to the website and their FB page if you’re interested in purchasing or just want to gain more information about what their company. http://www.abernadette.com/, https://www.facebook.com/a.bernadette11