In today’s fast fashion polluted world, the life of a piece of clothing is especially short. The cycle of buy, wear, toss and repeat has made our shopping habits take a turn for the worse, and it can seem impossible to break away from this pattern. We tend to rely on mass-produced clothing to fill our wardrobe, without really considering the other options that may be out there.
However, Sun in Leo is working to change this narrative in the Kent community and beyond. Justine Gallo, owner and creator of Sun in Leo, is a graduate of the Kent State University School of Fashion, with a major in fashion design and minors in photography and sustainability. Her passions for vintage clothing, inclusivity and the environment are what helps her business thrive. Gallo says, “The circularity is the backbone to me, like that closed-loop system, but I don’t need people to know because I just want them to know that they can get these great sustainable options without thinking too hard about it.”
Although there are numerous clothing shops in downtown Kent, Sun in Leo offers a completely different shopping experience. One of the things that makes it so appealing is the fact there is a piece of clothing for every style and size. While some vintage stores lack variety and options, Sun in Leo makes it easy for anyone to find something they will look amazing in. When discussing the clothing she sources and sells, Gallo says, “Seeing it on other people is like damn, like that’s a body type that should be wearing this dress! It reassures me that it isn’t size small through large, like we are all different sizes, there’s all different numbers, and again, I know it will fit someone perfectly and then when it does it’s like, yes it’s perfect!”
In addition to vintage clothing, Sun in Leo also offers a wide range of upcycled and custom-made clothing options. Gallo even transforms old thrifted blankets into clothing pieces. “Every blanket piece I make, it’s just the same design, it’s the same pattern, but it’s always different. I’m making a different pair of blanket pants, but it’s with a crochet blanket. I’m gonna put the pockets in a different spot and I had excess fabric to make a matching top,” Gallo said.
This collaboration between design and sustainability is part of what makes Sun in Leo so special, as Gallo can create a one-of-a-kind piece without contributing negatively to the environment, unlike fast fashion brands.
At Sun in Leo, the smallest details do not go unnoticed. “My tags are seed paper and I use safety pins to attach them, so you get the safety pin and then you get to compost the plant tag,” she explained.
This level of attention to sustainability and striving to reuse as much as possible is what makes Sun in Leo stand out to me and makes me want to keep coming back. In what other store can you plant a flower and get a new piece of clothing at the same time? Another aspect I love is that there are free alterations offered for all pieces. So, instead of throwing out clothing when it gets ripped, Sun in Leo will help to extend the life and wearability of the garment.
My favorite thing about Sun in Leo is the ability to find a one-of-a-kind piece that you cannot find anywhere else. Last month, I bought a vintage midi jean skirt there, and it has quickly turned into one of the pieces I know I will keep for years to come. That jean skirt would have either sat collecting dust in a Goodwill or taking up space in a landfill, but because of Sun in Leo, it has a new life now.
In case you ever need your clothing altered, want to go thrifting, or even need a custom piece created, this is the perfect store for you. It makes shopping circularly and responsibly a memorable and inspiring experience. Shop small, shop sustainably, and be sure to shop Sun in Leo!
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