Help Us Help Women in Oklahoma on Womens' Empowerment Wednesday! Starting this week!

According to DHS reports from last year, Oklahoma ranks 17th nationally for domestic violence. 28% of homeless families lacked shelter and necessities due to domestic violence, while 45% of victims are in the process of leaving their perpetrator. Our state is also considered far worse than the national average for incidences of rape and sexual assault with 35% more occurring in Oklahoma as compared to the 17% national average. Many startling statistics like these demonstrate the need for intervention to make our state a better place to live for women, men, and children alike.

The YWCA aims to do just that. Since 1907, the Oklahoma City chapter of YWCA has adhered to their philosophy that "all persons have the right to live without fear, abuse, oppression, and violence" by providing services and shelter to persons and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. In 2012, the YWCA aided 18, 545 individuals; 3,134 were helped directly, while 15,411 utilized crisis hotlines, prevention education programs, and outreach efforts. As a nonprofit organization, the YWCA offers services including a domestic violence hotline, emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, education and support groups, economic empowerment programs, sexual assault advocacy, and transportation for victims.

With their renowned reputation and significant presence in our community, the Ruff Life Lingerie and Vintage wants to help in any way we can. After all, we represent the interests of women with our body positive image. So, this is where you, the customer, come in! The shop will, for the next couple of months as our own sort of New Years Resolution, donate 10% of all proceeds every Wednesday to the YWCA to increase their profits, thus improving their ability to aid suffering women in Oklahoma. Now you can help us help women in Oklahoma for Womens' Empowerment Wednesday, starting this week on Wednesday, January 15th.

Local Movements: More than a trend?

It's already 2014. I'm a little disappointed we don't all have flying cars by now, however it did make me wonder what will define this decade. When buying vintage for the shop, I can usually identify the decade immediately by the style: 20s with dropped-waist dresses, 30s/40s with bias cuts and butterfly sleeves, 50s with hourglass dresses and pointed bras, the waif mod figure of the 60s, the androgynous curves of flowy fabric and bell bottoms, followed by the neon shoulder pads of the 80s.

What are the markers of 00s/10s? To be sure, I am biased due to my location in the Plaza District, Oklahoma City's strip of all local artsy shops, but I believe local and community-based shopping has established itself as a stronger trend of the times than, say, velour tracksuits.

Fast Food Nation was published in 2001 and followed by a growth in organic food, localvores, and farm-to-table dining. Aside from being a modern muckraker of what's really in a $1 burger, the book posited that the globalization and monopoly of our food sources has resulted in environmental and economic harm. Enron filed for bankruptcy in late 2001 and exacerbated corporate distrust. In the following years, the economic recession found blame in examples of corporate greed, especially subprime mortgages.

Aside from a reaction to the recession, I would argue the rise of social media and blogging provided a massive global community but sacrificed the intimacy of face-to-face neighborly interaction.

Either factor alone could launch localism as a trend, but together the combination have resulted in what, hopefully, will become more change of lifestyle than trend. The influence of local movements on style has meant what is in is:

1) Vintage. It's perfect for the time. There is no new ecological footprint. Generally, it is purchased as a one-of-a-kind, unique items (perfect for establishing a memorable image for Facebook photos) usually from small businesses.

2) Locally screen-printed shirts. While it would be costly for small business owners to have their own cotton field, loom, etc, local screen-printing allows graphic designers and artists a chance to create branding for our own hometowns. In high school, I never imagined it would feel so cool to wear an 'Okie' shirt!

Top available at DNA Galleries, $28, online (dnagalleries.com or in store at 1709 NW 16th).

3) Boutiques. Stocked with unusual items, knowledgeable and caring staff, and run by small business owners (can't support the next Madoff at this income bracket!)