On Working With Your Mom And Running A Supportive Kitchen: Chef Victoria Elizondo
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co., one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Victoria chats scaling and expanding Cochinita & Co. and the importance of nurturing your community while you grow.
ABOUT VICTORIA ELIZONDO AND COCHINITA & CO.
“My name is Victoria Elizondo, chef and owner of Cochinita & Co. I am a DACA recipient who started the business with the purpose of reconnecting with my culture by bringing a piece of Mexico to me and sharing it with our community. ”
GET TO KNOW VICTORIA:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
After the pandemic started I realized how important it really is to support local. We wish to continue to grow and also help grow other small businesses and vendors around us.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
My mom. She works side by side with me and takes control when my mental health is low. Her energy never runs low. She is powered by living her American dream.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
A creative collaboration is something that you put work and love into. It's a symbol of passion and dedication shared by two entities.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
Going to the park. Whether for a walk or a picnic, being out in nature and watching other people look happy releases so much serotonin for me. I recently took on pilates, its probably the hardest workout I've ever done and I did martial arts for a little bit.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
Using local products/ingredients on our menu is definitely my favorite way to support the local community. We also enjoy creating collaboration dinners or markets. Lastly, I love to go out to eat to local restaurants on my time off.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
Be patient. Do good. Treat your team with respect. Having a bad ego will not take you very far. Connections are important, but make sure they’re meaningful. Don’t use people or their resources. Take care of yourself first.
Want to stay involved with creators like Victoria through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On The Ebbs And Flows Of Creativity And Community-Building: Artist Swathi Konduri
Swathi chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
THIS SPRING, WE’RE CHECKING IN WITH OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS ON WHAT IT MEANS TO NURTURE.
For this interview, we touched base with Swathi Konduri of Swatcasso, one of our vendors within The Front Market. She chats with our team about transitioning into art full-time and the creative environments she needs to recharge.
ABOUT SWATHI KONDURI OF SWATASSO
“I am an artist originally from Orlando, Florida who loves bold colors and experimenting with a variety of mediums such has acrylic paint, colored pencil, photography and digital art. I am inspired by art that makes me feel deeply and aspire to create pieces that do the same! After quitting my tech sales job, I now make art full time and sell art prints at markets all around Austin. ”
GET TO KNOW SWATHI:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
I am hoping to nurture a more disciplined approach to art—creating works as a series rather than bouncing around and trying a bunch of new ideas.
NO. 2 — Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
One of my biggest inspirations is Sari Shryack. I followed her on Instagram before I even moved here and first saw her art hanging in Revival Coffee in 2019. She uses her talent to add a little bit of color and humor to daily objects. Specifically, I really am inspired by her ability to make literally any mundane object interesting. I am, of course, also inspired by all the people I see constantly vending with me at art markets around town and their work ethic.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
Creative collaboration means coming together to create one vision from a variety of directions and constantly pivoting to see how these different approaches can aid one another.
NO. 4 — How do you make space in your life to creatively recharge? Any tips or routines?
I make space in my life to creatively recharge by changing the environments where I create, whether that's painting at the park or sketching in a coffee shop. Each environment has different sources of inspiration to offer and puts you in a whole new mindset. My creative practice incorporated a variety of mediums and that allows me to explore different parts of my imagination. But most importantly, I constantly remind myself that creativity ebbs and flows and no amount of force or work can change that.
NO. 5 — How do you approach building community around your work?
I build community around my work by befriending as many people as I can in creative spaces I inhibit such as art markets or my art classes. I try and make sure I cultivate these relationships where I can share my creative struggles and discuss with people who share similar perspectives.
NO. 6 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
I would just recommend not letting your failures or successes affect you too much because you may start to create for the external world or validation rather than for yourself! And also reach out to people for help, the Austin community is so warm and everyone wants to see each other win.
Want to stay involved with creators like Swathi through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
On Co-Founding A Creative Space And Collaborative Mindsets: Ceramicist Corrie Pocta
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
This spring, we’re checking in with our members and friends on what it means to nurture.
For this interview, we touched base with Corrie Pocta, one of our vendors within The Front Market.
Corrie Pocta shares her advice for small business owners starting out, as well as her thoughts on the arts community in Dallas.
ABOUT CORRIE
“My name is Corrie Pocta and I am a ceramicist based out of Dallas, Texas. I spent the past seven years as a high school art teacher and this May marks one year of pursuing my art-based small business full-time. ”
GET TO KNOW CORRIE:
NO. 1 — What are you hoping to nurture through your work in 2022?
With a baby on the way this summer, I am hoping to nurture sustainability within my practice. I recently got molds made of some of my favorite vase designs and will be focusing on texture and experimental glazes with larger works rather than big batches of mugs and smaller pieces for the remainder of the year.
NO. 2— Who are your biggest inspirations in Texas?
I am most inspired by the arts community I come in contact with regularly here in Dallas. I co-founded an artist co-op and shop called Trade Oak Cliff with artist Brooke Chaney in 2020. Our members include Molly Sydnor, Charli Miranda, and Niki Dionne. These women and their work inspire me daily. In addition to our crew, I am greatly inspired by the work of Mylan Nguyen, Analise Minjarez, and Sarita Westrup. Each of these artists incorporated a rich knowledge of fibers and clay within their pieces. Outside of DFW, I really admire the work of Broad Studios in Austin and their educational efforts with the arts in their community.
NO. 3 — What does creative collaboration mean to you?
I believe our ideas are bettered when we share them with others and allow for their experiences and expertise to help develop them. I believe our communities are bettered by an increase in people connecting with their creative selves and each other through the arts and reject scarcity mindset that keep us in competition with people working within similar mediums.
NO. 4 — How do you approach building community around your work?
One of the ways I build community through my work is through monthly clay classes I teach out of my studio, TRADE. Throughout the pandemic I have helped multiple people get started with home clay studios and offer kiln firing services to make the medium accessible to local people working from home. In addition to classes, my co-op members and I host monthly artist markets in our space helping to connect our audience to additional local crafts beyond what we showcase regularly in our studio shop.
NO. 5 — What's the one recommendation you'd make to someone new starting out as an independent creative or small business owner?
A recommendation I make for someone starting a small business is to go see a tax consultant and a few fellow small business owners at the beginning of your first year of business to get tips for best book-keeping practices. Sometimes the process of taxes can be the most daunting part of starting a small business and it’s best to get a structure for logging things before you get in over your head with events and sales that have already taken place.
Want to stay involved with creators like Corrie through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
An Earth Day Guide: How To Nurture Your Closet, Community And Creativity (All At Once)
Use this mini-guide to examine your own relationship to style, community and the clothing industry.
This Earth Month, we’re hosting another Spring showcase for The Front Market, exhibiting more than 160 creators and small business owners across Texas. Because, for us, supporting local is a crucial component of nurturing community—as well as your planet.
So, we’ve connected with our new friends at GOOD girls ATX for a few tips for nurturing more sustainable shopping habits and an earth-conscious closet year-round. Here, you’ll find a mini guide from GgATX’s founders Marcella Bechtel and Kara Wright on changing your relationship to consumption and reimagining your approach to style( for good)! Enjoy!
Spring has officially sprung in Texas—birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and that pollen is flowing (hello, allergies!). Our planet is busy nurturing her babies, old and new growth.
Meanwhile we, susceptible shoppers of the Global North, are being bombarded with marketing messages about ‘spring cleaning.’ Originally a phrase used to describe cleaning the literal dust from our homes after a long winter, fashion brands have manipulated the tradition into a ‘spring closet cleanout’ in which you simply replace those items with new ones later on.
If springtime is the planet’s time to bloom, why are brands teaching us to purge and pollute? What if instead we decided to shift that tradition to one that nurtures the wardrobes we already have? By cherishing the items we already have, we avoid the environmental and social harm associated with the production and distribution of new fashion items.
In honor of Spring (and Earth Day), we invite you to nurture your wardrobe in a way that also nurtures the planet, your community and your creativity.
Below are three tips on how to get started.
1.) Nurture your Planet—and care for your clothes.
We’re big fans of re-homing items that are no longer serving you (might we suggest a seasonal clothing swap by GOOD girls ATX), but the absolute best action you can take for the planet is to wear and care for the items already in your closet
Wear what you have and only give up the things you know someone else will love more than you.
Sparingly wash items (especially jeans) using cold water settings and air drying whenever possible. This will preserve color & shape, prevent shrinkage & breakage and save energy!
Mend, repair, & hem. If you don’t know how, one of your friends might. And if you want to learn, we have workshops coming up to help you!
Stop shopping, first or second-hand. Consumers in the Global North buy five times more clothes than they did in 1980’s, but only wear those clothes 7 times on average.* Replace that void with other activities that could actually help yourself and/or the planet.
*The High Price of Fast Fashion, WSJ
2.) Nurture your community—and start local.
Living in the Global North, where the majority of clothes are sold but barely any are manufactured, we’ve become so removed from where and how the clothes we use are made. Building relationships with local vendors not only humanizes the industry, but ensures more ethical practices, supports the local creative community and improves economic vitality.
Avoid shopping from large online marketplaces and support local, independent shops. Buying directly from the makers or those who represent them maximizes the amount of value that stays within our communities. This even applies to second-hand marketplaces like Poshmark & DePop!
When purchasing new, invest in natural fibers (like cotton, linen & silk) that will last longer, can more easily be upcycled/downcycled, and are less likely to land in your local landfill.
Start budgeting for charitable donations. Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle often includes cost savings. Consider donating those costs directly to local charities that you know and love.
Studies show that materialism can be tied to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Center your time on nurturing community and your own life experiences.
3.) Nurture your Creativity—and change your relationship to style.
Fashion is a huge component of self-expression. With the amount of clothing items in circulation, creating a unique style for yourself is more possible than ever. But with the amount of new items in production, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by choice or feel pressured to adopt trends. Finding new ways to wear & style clothes is a great way to consume less, build your personal style and exercise your creativity.
Upcycling (also known as creative reuse) is the process of transitioning unwanted or useless items into something with an increased perceived value! Naturally dye or accessorize that stained top (maybe even at our Earth Day Upcycling event on 4/22). Another option is to down-cycle old t-shirts or towels into rags (goodbye paper towels!), household accessories and so much more.
When in doubt, you don’t have to throw it out. Remember that trends come in and out and that inspiration can strike at any time. Just because a piece isn’t working for you this season, doesn’t mean you have no future together. We’ve all regretted getting rid of something later on—maybe as much as we’ve regretted buying something.
If an item in your closet isn't getting worn, style it a different way. Dresses can be shirts, shirts can be skirts. Still don’t get it? Seek professional help. There are sustainability-minded stylists all around who are willing to help you reinvent your wardrobe. (“Your style gets better the more that you know your stuff.” — Sam, @Lotte.V1)
Remind yourself that shopping is not the only way to spend your time or be creative. Corporations realize that they can exploit our need to express our identities. If you remove yourself from this constant cycle of consumption, you give yourself time to seek out other creative outlets, such as pottery lessons, gardening, volunteering, baking, etc.
Although Spring is traditionally a time to reimagine and reinvigorate, these tips for nurturing your wardrobe can be applied year round. Different seasons simply mean different conditions under which to grow… and we love growth, baby!
Don’t feel like doing it alone?
GOOD girls ATX is an inclusive community built for you and the planet. Check out their events page or Instagram for upcoming clothing swaps and skills workshops.
On Clothes-Swapping, Eco-Feminism And Normalizing Sustainability: GOOD girls ATX
Marcella and Kara of GOOD girls ATX speak to the mission and vision behind their clothes-swapping pop-up series, as well as their ideas for nurturing our communities (and our home planet) year-round.
This Spring, we’re touching base with our members and friends around this season’s theme: NURTURE.
Today, we’re talking with Marcella and Kara of GOOD girls ATX on the mission and vision behind their clothes-swapping pop-up series, as well as their ideas for nurturing our communities (and our home planet) year-round.
Marcella. Courtesy of GOOD girls ATX
Kara. Courtesy of GOOD girls ATX
MEET MARCELLA AND KARA OF GOOD GIRLS ATX:
1.) Who are you and how would you describe what you do in your own words?
Marcella Bechtel: We are Marcella Bechtel and Kara Wright, founders of GOOD girls ATX. We are a community-driven organization dedicated to helping individuals build wardrobes that are GOOD for the planet and its people.
Kara Wright: We’re here to normalize sustainable lifestyle practices beginning with how we interact with the fashion industry. Our bread and butter is clothing swaps, but we’ve been trying out new concepts like skills workshops and the upcoming Earth Day Upcycling Party. At every event, we promise to be radically transparent, intentionally inclusive and data-driven.
2.) What prompted the start of GOOD girls ATX? Paint a picture of the last two years for us.
MB: Literally the night we met, Kara and I identified a mutual passion for sustainable fashion and knew we wanted to work together on something big, but we didn’t know what that was. In 2019, we threw our first clothing swap with friends in our backyard called “Good girls Wear Hand Me Downs”. Everyone who came got amazing clothes, but the sense of community and positive energy that was felt by every swapper was even more powerful.
KW: So we continued to throw clothing swaps for the next year, but each one got bigger with the help of friends in the community. In order to expand our educational component, demonstrate event impacts and reach more people, we decided to build a brand, website and Instagram account. Playing off the name of our first swap and recognizing the elements of ecofeminism in our mission, we started officially calling ourselves GOOD girls ATX in March 2021.
MB: Anybody can be a GOOD girl! Our Fall 2021 swap included male-identifying participants for the first time, and they’ve been with us ever since. All are welcome at GOOD girls ATX.
3.) What is GgATX hoping to nurture? In the community? In terms of our habits?
MB: GOOD girls ATX is hoping to nurture wardrobes, community, and identity. We provide tools to sustain wardrobes, because the best thing that anyone can do for the planet and its people is wear what is already owned. We love that GOOD girls ATX has brought together a community of like-minded individuals (consumers & vendors) that are interested in fashion & sustainability. Our vision is to nurture consumption habits to be hyper-local & consciousness. Fashion is a way to express oneself but not the only way to create an identity.
KW: We’re also trying to nurture a more empowered, hands-on relationship with material possessions. We want everyone in our community to not only imagine what is possible with their garments, but to have the skills and tools to transform it into something they love wearing. We’re talking about styling, repair, tailoring, dyeing, printing- all that fun stuff!
4.) If GgATX were a physical space, what would your dream HQ look like? What could people find?
MB: Our dream HQ would probably be a tiny house that is completely made out of reclaimed items & completely zero-waste. It would probably be very minimalist and centered around a large outdoor collaborative space.
KW: You’d absolutely see a sewing machine in or two. Our HQ would be a place that anyone could come to with a clothing item and leave with a solution whether that’s coaching them through repairing the item or exploring avenues for re-homing it.
MB: One of the biggest issues that we’ve run into is having so many leftovers from clothing swaps, so you’d definitely see some swap leftovers that we’re in the process of re-homing.
5.) With Earth Day coming up, conversations about the climate and our communities will uptick. What do you wish people would practice year-round when it comes to Earth Day?
MB: We’ve been seeing a lot of marketing for ‘shopping sustainably on Earth Day’ or ‘$1 Earth Day sales’. These messages are examples of greenwashing, which is when brands use marketing to influence consumers to purchase items perceived as ‘sustainable’. No matter what materials you’re purchasing, consumption affects the Earth in some way. If we could inspire people to practice something year-round, it would be conscious consumerism and re-homing. Only 15% of items make it onto the floor at donation centers, so it’s also important to avoid getting rid of items too quickly.
KW: And this is in no way limited to fashion… We use fashion as the basis to connect folks to the impacts of their behaviors, but shifting consumption habits universally is critical to restoring balance with the planet. We want communities to be mindful about how they consume everything—furniture, electronics, energy, buildings, food, data, content!
6.) What voices in sustainability, climate action and eco-culture, do you appreciate most? Why?
MB: Amanda McCarty, from @ClothesHorsePodcast. Her Austin-based podcast is fun but very educational and gives awesome insight into the fast fashion and cottage industries.
Sam Weir, lead stylist and founder of @Lotte.V1, has truly progressed our thinking when it comes to consumption habits. She used to be a celebrity stylist and now she’s using her skillset to help individuals get creative with their own closets. We’ve worked with her on a number of projects and anyone who was with us during our exploration of styling would definitely recognize her.
KW: I’m currently obsessed with @Clean_Creatives, a coalition of marketing, advertising and PR creatives who have taken a pledge to decline work from the fossil fuel industry and, in some cases, take a direct stand against it. They’re fighting the worst of the greenwashing Marcella was just talking about. One of my favorite things to remind people through GOOD girls ATX is that over 50% of the clothes produced globally are of synthetic materials aka FOSSIL FUELS.
7.) How do you nurture yourselves as creators? What does that look like on a daily or weekly basis?
MB: As creators, we’re constantly doing research on our own time to further our understanding of consumption psychology and textile innovation. Additionally, we’re both really into nurturing our own identities, whether that’s upcycling a wardrobe item, practicing yoga, riding bikes, hiking, camping, or just having conversation with like-minded individuals.
KW: We do spend a lot of time connecting to our bodies and nature. Entering a flow state lets our minds play and wander. It’s super normal for one of us to go on a solo bike ride and come back like “I just had the best idea for GOOD girls!”
8.) GOOD girls ATX in three emojis?
💚 green heart, 🤠 cowboy smiley, 💫 shooting stars
PS — You can also attend GOOD girls ATX’s Earth Day Upcycling Party at our headquarters.
On April 22, 2022, GOOD girls ATX is teaming up with Austin’s upcycling experts to throw an Earth Day Party that will nurture your creativity, your wardrobe, your community—and your home planet.
Hosted on the Future Front patio from 6:30 to 9 PM, drop by anytime to shop sustainably-made creations at the All Upcycled Pop-up Shop and help raise funds for others doing good in our community. With an advance ticket, you can also create one-of-a-kind pieces at the BYOGarment Upcycling Bar.
100% open-air and outdoors. Human-friendly. All are welcome. 👋
5 Wishes For Texas On Transgender Day Of Visibility
For Transgender Day of Visibility 2022, we took a moment to check in with some of Future Front’s creative collaborators in Austin, Texas.
For Transgender Day of Visibility 2022, we took a moment to check in with some of Future Front’s creative collaborators in Austin, Texas.
From musicians to writers to entrepreneurs, each of these creators have used their work to loudly and proudly show up themselves and trans folks in their communities.
Here are their five wishes for the future of Texas:
No. 1 — Ezra Edwards, DJ & Event Producer
Ezra (he/him) has been working as a DJ and an event producer in Austin, Texas since 2010. Currently, he spins under the monikers DJ Boyfriend and DJ Boi Orbison. Born and raised in Austin, he’s won the Austin Chronicle's Best DJ of Austin in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
No. 2 — La Morena, DJ & Hair Stylist
La Morena (she/her) makes her audience travel through a series of vibes in her eclectic DJ sets. Originally from Brownsville Texas, La Morena uses her heritage and personal experiences to educate her sets, always delivering a special mix between Cumbia, reggaetón, house, Latin hits and hip hop.
No. 3 — Eli and Ally, Entrepreneurs
Eli (he/him) and Ally (she/her) are the founders of Rise Market. Rise Market is a Queer-Trans POC and Woman Owned social commerce platform championing LGBTQIA2+ creators, entrepreneurs and advocates.
No. 4 — KB, Poet & Cultural Worker
KB Brookins (also known as KB) is a Black/queer/transmasculine poet, essayist, and cultural worker from Stop Six, Fort Worth, Texas. Their poems are published in American Poetry Review, Poetry Northwest, and elsewhere; their essays are published in Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, and other venues. KB is the author of How To Identify Yourself with a Wound (Kallisto Gaia Press, 2022), a chapbook selected by ire’ne laura silva as winner of the Saguaro Poetry Prize. They have received Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominations, along with fellowships from PEN America, Lambda Literary, and The Watering Hole among others.
KB’s cultural work spans six years. In that time, they founded and led two nonprofits (Interfaces and Embrace Austin). They have also contributed to many initiatives, such as Austin’s first LGBTQIA+ quality of life survey, inclusion of chosen names on the University of Texas at Austin diplomas, and serving as Project Lead for the Winter Storm Project.
KB’s debut full-length poetry collection, Freedom House (Deep Vellum Publishing, 2023) is forthcoming. Currently, they are an Artivism Fellow with Broadway Advocacy Coalition. KB is represented by Annie DeWitt at The Shipman Agency. They live in Austin, TX, where they are working on projects and trying their best. Follow them online at @earthtokb, and subscribe to their sporadic opinions/updates through Out of This World.
No. 5 — p1nkstar, Musician & Nightlife Curator
p1nkstar (she/her) creates a world far removed from this dimension's binaries through music and conceptual shows, merging hyperpop with neo-perreo and club. She has been described as “early Aughts Paris Hilton on Hello Kitty steroids” by The Austin Chronicle, who crowned her as their Pop Princess in 2020. Since 2016, p1nkstar has rapidly become an emblematic figure in the Texas arts and nightlife scenes by opening inclusive spaces that center the work of trans and queer artists. p1nkstar has received three Best of Austin awards for her space-making work in the city and most recently, became the first openly-trans person to receive an Austin Music Award in 2022.
What is Transgender Day of Visibility?
Celebrated globally, International Transgender Day of Visibility (also called TDOV, Transgender Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.
For national resources around TDOV, head to Trans Week. For Texas-based resources, events and celebrations, plug into TENT (Transgender Education Network of Texas).
A Gaylentine's Day Playlist: Feelin' Myself On Red River
Listen to a collection of songs from 33 musicians, bands and acts in The Front Fest's 2017 to 2022 lineups.
In honor of Ga(y)lentine’s Day, we've curated a collection of songs from 33 musicians, bands and acts in The Front Fest's 2017 to 2022 lineups.
Listen for a more creative work day and clear skin.
On Sustainable Fashion And Pop-Up Boutiques: Lucid Voyage
Veronica Hood of Lucid Voyage talks balancing burnout, her childhood visions and her luckiest vintage finds.
Today, we’re chatting with our first resident creative of 2022, Lucid Voyage.
Veronica talks balancing burnout, childhood vision and her luckiest vintage finds.
As an Austin-based fashion boutique, Lucid Voyage offers unique clothing curation and custom designs. Last month, she took over our headquarters to explore her approach to sustainable fashion, upcycling and clothing waste reduction. If you missed the series, you can still get to know Veronica and her boutique below.
ABOUT VERONICA HOOD AND LUCID VOYAGE
“Hi! I’m Veronica, owner and operator of all things Lucid Voyage. Growing up, I was always involved in fashion. I began sketching and sewing at a young age, and when you asked me what I was going to be when I grew up, I would say the owner of a fashion boutique. As time went on, I lost a bit of that vision but still remained involved in the fashion industry as a stylist for photoshoots and working for Miu Miu in their NYC showroom. I moved to Austin 5 years ago, and as soon as I landed my energy felt renewed, and that childhood vision came back.
Lucid Voyage was established in fall of 2019. To be honest, at first, I just wanted to sell cute clothes, and vintage seemed the easiest to obtain when first starting out. As the business evolved, I dove deeper into the world of sustainable fashion and the importance of it, which eventually brought me to the decision that Lucid Voyage would be a sustainable fashion brand. As of right now, Lucid Voyage offers a selection of unique vintage, reworked pieces and custom designs made from vintage fabrics. I also offer styling advice, creative direction and love to work one on one with clients to help them reimagine/redesign a piece.”
GET TO KNOW VERONICA HOOD:
1. How do you want people to feel when wearing your pieces?
Fun, happy, confident, stylish, cool.
2. Describe your approach to clothing curation and upcycling — where do you find your pieces?
Most of the vintage clothes are sourced from estate sales as well as the vintage fabrics I use for customs. I’m very picky when it comes to sourcing. The clothing needs to be in good condition aka no holes or stains that can’t be fixed and must fit the Lucid Voyage aesthetic which tends to be fun, unique, colorful, on trend. I usually only upcycle pieces I feel could use an extra flare, and for those I always use secondhand trimmings. Austin Creative Reuse is a great resource for that.
3. How did you first become interested in sustainable fashion?
I first became interested in sustainable fashion in 2013. I took a sustainable fashion summer course at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. Before that, I wasn’t familiar with the term or what it was. That summer, I learned a lot that really opened my eyes to the future of fashion.
4. Your style in three emojis?
🌈❤️🔥🌸
5. Tell us about your proudest find.
My favorite find has to be this gorgeous 1970’s tan suede penny lane coat with the most luxe fur trim cuffs and collar. I found it at an estate sale in West Texas tucked away at the back of closet. When I spotted it, I gasped, and then I gasped again when I realized it fit perfectly.
6. What trend should we leave behind in 2021?
Honestly, I can’t think of one. I love fashion and can see the beauty in all trends. It’s fun — the different ways we can express ourselves.
7. How do you balance burnout and running a creative business?
It’s hard. I used to get really down on myself for feeling burnt out and uninspired, but then I realized that just put me more into a rut. As my business and creativity has evolved, I’m now more aware of when burnout is coming on, and I embrace it and accept the invitation to recharge and come back better.
8. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in managing a sustainable fashion boutique?
Sourcing quality product. When it comes to sourcing vintage clothing and fabric in particular, it is all about the hunt and very often the hunt can end up being a waste of time and energy. Every so often you hit a jackpot, and it’s all worth it.
9. What are you most excited about for the new year?
I’m super excited to see what this year has in store for Lucid Voyage. I feel that every year I become more confident in the business I’m running, and because of that, more opportunities present themselves.
Want to stay involved with creators like Veronica through Future Front Texas?
Keep up with what we’re up to—from virtual events to membership—here.
How To Find Your Purpose This Week: A Guided Exercise
In partnership with The Hi How Are You Project, our Executive Director Jane Hervey walks you through three habits that we try to nurture at Future Front to support our mental health—and ground us in our values, community and creativity.
This week, our friends at The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP) are hosting their second-annual HAPPY HABIT-A-THON—a one-week virtual celebration honoring the legacy of the late, great Daniel Johnston and his surviving mural.
The Project, founded with the support of the Johnston family in 2018, creates thoughtful media, events, and peer-to-peer training programs that encourage open and ongoing dialogue on mental well-being. (Johnston was a world-renowned musician and visual artist despite his own struggles with mental illness.) The Happy-Habit-A-Thon is an extension of their mission—for one week, everyone is invite to share habits that support mental health.
For this year’s Habit-A-Thon, we’re releasing an 8-minuted guided exercise in partnership with HHAYP about finding your purpose.
How can we connect to ourselves, as well as the people, places and things we love, on a weekly basis? In this video, our Executive Director Jane Hervey walks you through three habits that we try to nurture at Future Front to support our mental health—and ground us in our values, community and creativity.
3 Weekly Habits Around Finding Your Purpose —
→ Map Your Values.
For 30 minutes, journal your five core values and how you can practice them daily.
→ Nurture Your Community.
Set aside 2 hours to connect with the people, places or things that remind you of who you are—whether that’s visiting a business you love or heading to the park.
→ Make Day-Dreaming A Habit.
Give yourself an hour to just think. Come up with creative ideas—without judgment,
without high-stakes and without shame.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Jane Hervey: Jane Claire Hervey is a community and brand development director, award-winning curator, creative producer and accidental nonprofit founder. Over the last decade, she has led teams and programs for 25+ creative companies and start-ups, arts and entertainment organizations and public spaces across the US. Currently, she directs Future Front, a 501c3 cultural space she founded in 2015, alongside her own creative consultancy, group work. This pioneering work in public and private creative programming, design and brand strategy has been recognized by ADWEEK, Texas Monthly, the City of Austin’s Women’s Hall of Fame and the National Endowment for the Arts. She's been a guest speaker and curator for organizations like SXSW, Austin FC, The Contemporary Austin Museum and Soho House. Using her background in strategic planning, design-thinking, adaptive operations and facilitation, Jane volunteers her time toward grassroots initiatives that support stronger communities through local creative advocacy, folk schools, health justice and arts healing. Jane has also composed records & music as an independent recording artist for global projects since 2012, pulling influences from the likes of Björk and Frank Ocean. Originally from the South Texas border, Hervey now lives and works in Austin, Texas. You can learn more at janeclairehervey.com.
ABOUT THE PARTNER, The Hi, How Are You Project (HHAYP): HHAYP is an Austin, TX based 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission to remove the stigma around mental health, one conversation at a time. We aim to educate people worldwide about the importance of mental health and well-being while promoting a culture of inclusion. You can learn more and join the Happy Habit-A-Thon here.
The 2021 Impact Report: A Year Of Rebirth
We said goodbye to Boss Babes ATX—and welcomed in a new era for our organization as Future Front. To our surprise, our impact has nearly doubled. (!!!)
We had no idea what that change would mean for our work. To our surprise, our impact nearly doubled. (!!!) It’s pretty dreamy.
Continue reading for some of this year’s highlights, and set aside a minute to celebrate.
Our 3 big wins:
Our TOP 10 growth moments:
We released our new name, Future Front, as well as our manifesto, which details our vision for a Texas where women and LGBTQ+ creatives are supported, celebrated and represented at the front.
We re-opened the org with The Front Market and Festival, which saw 4,500+ guests over the course of the weekend. (Shout out to our 15-person production and volunteer team, a 150+ vendor lineup and a 20+ artist lineup!)
We launched our membership and now have more than 200 incredible members.
We wrapped up our first-ever Creative Future of Texas Fund season, awarding $9000 to 10 different creative founders in Texas. Those founders included:
SAGE Studio — A Creative Space Supporting Artists With Disabilities
All the Sudden — A New Woodshop In East Austin + DIY Arts Space
Culture in Mind — A Latinx, Queer Psychotherapy Practice Supporting BIPOC Clients
Embrace Austin — A New Community Organizations Supporting LGBTQIA2+ Collectives in Austin
Mama Mangos Care — A Woman-Owned, Black-Owned Apothecary In Austin
Very Good Dance Theatre — A Queer-Led Theatre In Dallas
Torch Literary Arts — A Creative Writing Nonprofit For Black Women and Girls in Round Rock
Texas Latina Project — A Texas-Wide Film Collective Producing Their First Film
Golden Girl Productions — An Emerging, Black-Owned Documentary Film Studio in Austin
Harmonic Speech Therapy — A Speech Therapy Practice Offering Gender-Affirming Services in Austin
We debuted our new headquarters to the public and hosted 20+ workshops and gatherings, supporting creative learning, community-building and professional resilience.
In collaboration with Colors of Austin Counseling, we funded $7,000+ in pro-bono counseling sessions for 15 leaders working toward racial justice.
We collaborated on our first-ever fiscally sponsored project in collaboration with For The Gworls, a community resource facilitating creative opportunities and safe spaces for Black trans women experiencing displacement.
Our board and leadership staff distributed 2,000+ gallons of water and 1,000+ meals with the Austin EMS Association during Storm Uri to Austin Area Urban League, The Mutual Aid Complex Care Clinic, IDEA Rundberg’s warming shelter, 10,000 Fearless First Responders and Austin Community Advancement Brigade. We also hosted a restorative stretch and meditation for the community at-large, following the storm.
We celebrated new fundraising partnerships with Austin FC and AppSumo—raising over $20,000 through our collaborations with each company.
We planned, produced and presented our first-ever holiday season of The Front Market, showcasing more than 190 creative and small business vendors in Texas.
Editor’s Note: You can read our quarterly impact reports in more detail here.
your attention maDE THIS POSSIBLE.
We would like to thank our 2021 staff, board, friends and members for their support. We are also grateful to our partners and friends—particularly Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Giant Noise, Austin FC, AppSumo and The Line Hotel—for their continued collaboration.
Together, we are nurturing vibrant spaces, resources and opportunities for women and LGBTQ+ creatives, founders and leaders in Texas.
Do you want to get involved in 2022?
Become a member or donate to our end-of-year fundraiser. You can also explore all of the other ways to join us here.