Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Moore.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started as a blogger about sustainable style. My blog name is RECOVERGIRL. It’s a play on the brand name Covergirl, but with “RE” added (hopefully) to bring to mind the three “R’s” — Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The local weekly arts newspaper in Portsmouth, NH asked me to start a monthly style column. I’d never done anything like that before but I liked the challenge. I called the series Style Queue because I interviewed a series of people and also because it sounds like Style Cue.
The column was popular enough that the publisher asked me if I wanted to turn it into a magazine by the same name. Again, I’d never done anything like that before but I loved the idea that I could work on a magazine that would focus on the things I care about — sustainable fashion, body positivity, and unique style.
The seacoast area has a reputation for challenging and supporting artists. There is the RPM challenge in February where musical artists are challenged to create an album in a month. The spinoff from that is the ArtPM where artists are challenged to make art in a month culminating in the best ever art opening at Buoy Gallery in Kittery, Maine.
Those community events and the reality TV show Project Runway inspired me to try to create a sustainable fashion competition for New England fashion designers. I partnered with Goodwill of Northern New England and 3S Artspace and in March 2018, we hosted the first annual Project Upcycle Sustainable Fashion Competition.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Project Upcycle was a huge success, especially for a first-year event but it could have been so much more with more funding. Our hope is that with the success of our first event that more sponsors will sign on. We were extremely lucky to have Saltwater Creative Agency provide cash prizes to the top three designers (First: $1,500, Second: $1,000, Third: $500).
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about RECOVERGIRL – what should we know?
I work part-time as a library clerk. Libraries are a great place to work for people like me who care about sustainability. In libraries, we decide to buy one of something and share it. I love that.
When I’m not at work or caring for my family, I’m RECOVERGIRL. I’m essentially an activist for sustainable style and design.
I share news stories about sustainable fashion on my Twitter and Facebook pages. I share things like how I’ve mended my neighbor’s coat on Instagram and I write blog posts about how to be sustainably stylish on my blog.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Project Upcycle was presented by 3S Artspace, Goodwill of Northern New England and myself (Recovergirl). It would not have been what it was without this partnership. We all brought different talents and resources to the table that complimented each other perfectly.
And of course the designers, models, and judges. The group of people that gathered for our inaugural Project Upcycle were really something special.
The sponsors made it possible — especially Saltwater Creative Agency who provided the cash prizes. Supporting emerging talent in this region was part of our goal and Saltwater helped us achieve that goal.
Contact Info:
- Address: Project Upcycle takes place at:
3S Artspace
319 Vaughan St,
Portsmouth, NH 03801 - Website: https://recovergirl.wordpress.com/
- Phone: 603-502-8497
- Email: recovergirl360@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recovergirl360/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recovergirl360/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/recovergirl
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/recovergirl/boards/
Image Credit:
Photos by Dan Freund and Sara O’Reilly
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
