Bloomington is full of small businesses, some of which are woman-owned. My Sister’s Closet is one business empowering women to take charge in the work world, and Blond Genius, a woman-owned boutique, wants to help My Sister’s Closet achieve their goals.
This weekend Blond Genius will have what it calls the Spring Show with fashion, food and friendly Bloomington faces. Blond Genius is located at 1541 S. Piazza Drive. It retails denim in every shape, wash and style. It also deals in trendy fashion, tailor jeans and creates custom orders.
On April 29, the Spring Show will showcase Blond Genius clothes and local businesswomen. The show will be in the Blond Genius boutique from 2 to 4 p.m., and tickets are $40.
Katie Calles, the owner of Blond Genius, said the idea for the show was first formulated in December. She said she had been wanting to do a fundraising project for a while.
Caitlyn Carney, an IU junior, is an intern with Blond Genius. This fashion show will be a project and a fundraiser for My Sister’s Closet.
“Our owner felt a connection with My Sister’s Closet, seeing as she is a woman who owns her own business.” Carney said.
My Sister’s Closet is a Bloomington-based nonprofit organization that offers business attire clothing to low-income women entering the workforce. Its goal is to help women succeed in their careers by offering affordable business attire and teaching workplace skills.
All of the proceeds from the Spring Show will be going to My Sister’s Closet. The money it gains from Blond Genius’ Spring Show will go toward its upcoming expansion. The expansion is necessary for My Sister’s Closet to conduct its Ready-2-Work program.
During this 12-week course, low-income and highly motivated women will learn workplace and interview skills necessary for success. Some of these women may have never been in the job market before, but need jobs to support themselves and their families. My Sister’s Closet works to prepare them.
The Spring Show will include drinks and food from local establishments and live music from the Julia Kahn Band. All of the models in the show are Bloomington businesswomen, and two IU students, Olivia Malone and Julia Ariens. Ariens is the store’s first brand ambassador. This position allowed Ariens to represent the store by wearing Blond Genius looks.
Ariens said she and Calles got to know each other well because she Ariens was shopping at Blond Genius often, and they came up with the idea of a brand ambassador quite recently.
Carney said the show will feature four “looks.” The first will present what each of the women wear daily. The second outfit will feature night life style. The third style answers the complicated question of what to wear, and the fourth showcases all of the Blond Genius denim options.
“I’m very excited for the spring show,” Ariens said.
The Julia Kahn Band will be opening and closing the show. The band is an Indianapolis-based group that frequently performs around Bloomington. Carney said they can often be found in the Bluebird Nightclub or The Tap.
The food and drinks provided during the show will also be coming from local businesses. Crumble Bakery will be serving coffee, Corporate to Cupcake will be bringing in strawberry cupcakes, and InBloom Juicery will also be providing drinks.
“There are so many local businesses that want to come together for a cause.” Calles said.
This fashion show is providing an opportunity for business owners to do just that.
Many of the businesses coming together, including Blond Genius, are woman-owned.
“It’s a lady’s day out,” Calles said.
