Gut Instinct Weekender
By Stella Violet and Natalie McCarty
The Gut Instinct Weekender was a vibrant day filled with new connections, sustainability and innovation.
On May 31, 2024, Stella Violet and Natalie McCarty hosted the first in-person event for Gut Instinct Media in Phoenix, Arizona. They highlighted local voices and created a memorable space for networking and unforgettable evening festivities.
In a mainstreamed effort to promote sustainability, Violet and McCarty designed the event as a one-day spectacular, minimizing carbon emissions from travel. The daytime portion emphasized sustainability and discouraged overconsumption of goods.
Recognizing the desire to dress up for the evening event, they offered a unique solution: second-hand and repurposed thrifted goods for a sustainable shopping experience.
“The Gut Instinct Weekender was such a great way to start summer. I found so many cute clothes to wear to the evening event,” said Nihara Mahesh, an attendee and one of the night’s DJs.
The Weekender’s aim for sustainability was successfully achieved through the diverse array of secondhand vendors and local artisans, creating an event that celebrated eco-conscious fashion and community.
The morning featured six clothing vendors: Paperdoll Threads, Morgan’s Vintage, Wild Heart Vintage, Ferezita Apparel, Million Threadz, and Siyousen.
Meet the Vendors:
Wild Heart Vintage
Wild Heart Vintage curates captivating styles by mixing both the contemporary and nostalgic classic country vibe aesthetics, by paying homage to the timeless spirit of the Wild Wild West.
“I source my clothes here in Arizona and thought the US finding bold and playful pieces that bring a new life to any wardrobe,” owner Moriah Kennard said.
Kennard promotes sustainability and creativity by hoping the clothes she sells can get a second life. Her unique clothing and accessories drew in a variety of audiences at the Gut Instinct Weekender.
“My hope in selling these pieces is to inspire creativity through repurposed goods and to give a second life to clothes. I hope this inspires others to rework, and repurpose clothes instead of buy new. l’ve seen an impact on my community thus far selling western clothing by showing others how to make modern styles with clothing from the past,” Kennard said.
Ferezita Apparel
Ferezita Apparel is a sustainable slow-fashion brand that sources their materials secondhand. At the Gut Instinct Weekender, Ferezita Apparel had racks filled with various hand-made crotchet designs.
“Every single piece is made by me, myself and I [Fernanda.] With every piece being entirely different and unique, l do not make repeats of any clothing piece so best believe when you buy something you will be the only one wearing it,” owner and designer Fernanda Navarro said.
Navarro said she is new to selling clothes in Arizona at local markets. However, she said the experience has been “great to say the least.”
“One of my favorite things about selling my crochet clothing is seeing people enjoy every clothing piece I have hanging on my racks and ask me about them whether it be how I make them, when I started this crochet journey or even just how long it took to make,” Navarro said.
Million Threads
Million Threads is a curated collection of hand-sourced clothing available through e-commerce and local markets. Maximillian Ruecklies regularly updates their inventory to stay on-trend and fresh for returning customers. Items are selected for their unique prints, fades, colors, styles, and sizes. Years of consistent sourcing have honed their eye for a specific vintage feel that each piece exudes. Their primary mission is sustainability and combating fast fashion. By rescuing these garments from becoming waste and reintroducing them in a new light, Million Threads aims to foster a sustainable fashion world.
Siyousen
Siyousen (pronounced see-USE-in) is a clothing brand focused on providing value through upcycled garments. Their designs, inspired by Margiela, Undercover, Comme des Garçons, PPFM, and other icons of reconstruction, feature a unique printing aesthetic achieved through water-based inks and block printing. This results in a variety of textures ranging from fluid to coiffed, with a human-based aesthetic bordering on Luddism. Garments are sourced from thrift stores, donations, or clothing swap events, emphasizing high-quality organic materials like silk, linen, Tencel, and cotton. Using secondhand materials is less resource-intensive and offers a greater variety of fabrics than sourcing new ones, making it a better choice for the planet.
Mogy
Morgan Flake, the owner of Mogy, debuted their new booth at the Weekender.
“My brand is me. It’s a reflection of me. The ups and the downs of me,” said Flake.
Mogy’s clothing and accessories — electic, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant — are always thrifted and second-hand, personally curated by Morgan. Sustainability is a core value for Morgan, not just in clothing but also in food and everyday products. “I’ve been plant-based for over two years now, which has catapulted my life into sustainability and slowing down. I’m all the better for it. F**k Fast Fashion. Peace, Love, and Positivity.”
Paperdoll Threads
Pierce Padilla is the owner of Paperdoll Threads, a sustainably sourced second-hand clothing line. Paperdoll Threads features a variety of aesthetics in a wide range of sizes.
Padilla has been selling clothes on Depop for years, but the Gut Instinct Weekender was her first in-person market.
Prior to the event, Padilla had a photoshoot displaying the type of items they would be selling at the market.
Padilla’s advertisement of her clothing on models with unique aesthetics drew in a large audience at the Weekender.
Padilla said she looks forward to vending at markets in Arizona in the near future.
The Social Hour
Gut Instinct Media’s first night event was created with the idea of creating connections and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Those who attended were met with ample space to dance, talk, and take photos.
The evening featured female and LGBTQIA+ DJ sets from local artists around Arizona. The focus of the selected artists was to promote and provide a space for women and the LGBTQIA+ community to express themselves.
Throughout the night, guests took photos with friends and created new connections. While some vendors from the morning came back to talk, dance and connect with others that they had not had the chance to talk to during the morning.
The space was thoughtfully planned out with lighting, sound, and seating for guests. In addition, one vendor, Paperdoll Threads, sold their clothes throughout the evening portion, featuring exclusive pieces that were not seen in the morning.
Breaking the fourth wall here to extend our deepest gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. This event was just the beginning for Gut Instinct’s journey in event planning, and we are immensely grateful for everyone’s support in every shape and form.
Our sincerest thanks to our vendors, our incredible team, and our wonderful friends. We love you all and can’t wait for the next one!
Xoxo,
Natalie and Stella
