Visible Monday: Green fashion, a good cause, and a giveaway!

After about a year and a half of writing this blog, I am happy to announce my first-ever giveaway. I’m even more pleased to be giving something that I would definitely love to win myself — a $100 gift card to spend on clothes!

I was recently approached by a representative for MarketPlace: Handwork of India — a nonprofit, fair trade organization that uses an innovative model to empower low-income women in India. MarketPlace employs over 450 artisans, mostly women, providing training and assistance so that they can form and manage their own independent cooperatives. The artisans are involved at all levels of decision-making, so they are truly developing both business and leadership skills.

Some other style blogs in the neighborhood are doing this too, so you may have more than one chance to win! Of course, fashion bloggers are given opportunities to collaborate with retailers and designers all the time. However, when you write a part-time hobby blog with the word “frump” in the title — even if your intent is humorous — you don’t really expect it to happen to you. I am so pleased that, when it did, the organization was one like this.

According to the online research that I’ve done, the folks at MarketPlace are doing a lot of good work to improve the lives of women and families by promoting sustainable economic development in very poor areas. I love this quote from the mission statement on the company website:

Being in charge of their own businesses, the women learn valuable skills and are able to earn a living and support their families. In addition, programs offer educational and enrichment opportunities designed to help the artisans overcome personal, cultural and financial obstacles.

And if you look at the website, you’ll see that they produce some lovely clothes, too! There’s a nice range of items in a variety of silhouettes (from loose and flowy to more fitted) and colors (both brights and neutrals). I found a great many items that I loved, including some sweet sleeveless dresses, colorful tote bags and scarves, and some really cute printed leggings. There is even a home decor section with colorful pillows and textiles for the home. The fabrics are gorgeous, with vivid colors and delicate hand embroidery.

So how great is it that MarketPlace is donating a $100 gift card to one lucky reader?

Just to give you a taste, they sent me an item to model for you. I had a couple of different tops to choose from, and I chose a short-sleeved, green blouse. I almost chose a different top, a black and white tunic, because the green blouse has cap sleeves — not always the best choice for my substantial upper arms and shoulders!

But I just could not resist these bright, cheery colors:

I love green and don’t wear enough of it. And, since these fabrics are created with traditional Indian hand dyeing techniques, this top is green in more ways than one!

Here it is:

"Smita" blouse by MarketPlace: Handwork of India; woven leather belt from Kohl's; skirt by Sunny Leigh; shoes from Clark's Indigo line.

Regular readers will chuckle at the ubiquitous belt — I recently had a “to belt or not to belt” crisis — but I just had a feeling this might be a good pairing. And I have to say: this outfit makes me happy. Looking at this photo in comparison to some others I’ve posted, I’m beginning to think that I need more color in my life!

Just for fun, I also tried an unbelted look, with a more casual skirt and shoes:

Same blouse (obviously), denim skirt by Gap, flat metallic sandals from Clark's Artisan line.

I like this, too, as a more relaxed option for a hot summer day.

And now, for the giveaway! (And we’re sorry, but due to the burdensome costs of International shipping, we are forced to limit this to U.S. readers only). Here’s how to enter:

1. Follow this blog, if you haven’t already done so (see menu on right-hand side of page for following options);
2. Visit the Marketplace: Handwork of India website and find a favorite item, and
3. Comment on this post and tell me:

• which item you liked best, and
• how/where you are following The Frump Factor.

Be sure to enter your correct email address when you fill out the comment form. That is how I will contact you if you win! The last day to enter will be Tuesday, April 10, and the winner will be chosen by random drawing shortly thereafter.

And — if you’d like more than one chance to win — check out Serene’s post at The Elegant Bohemian or Reva’s at Reva’s Rags 2 Roses. They are both wonderful bloggers and I’m honored to be in their company!

I’m grateful to you all for reading The Frump Factor, and I wish everybody could win! I’ll look forward to seeing who does. Thanks again to the folks at MarketPlace, for sponsoring this giveaway and, especially, for doing the wonderful work that they do.

Don’t forget to visit Not Dead Yet Style, to see what the other over-40 style bloggers are wearing to be visible today!

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