Real Talk
Ziva’s Closet is going through a lot of changes lately! But while the site is being revamped, I wanted to talk about something else today: Inclusivity
Let’s take a look at the textbook definition for Inclusivity: ”The practice or policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or mental disabilities and members of minority groups.” It’s a noun by the way.
It’s something that is important, relevant, and needed in today’s “modern” society and also in our small shop community (it feels like now more than ever) But while other shops (sadly) see it as another way to make a sale, it is something I have always believed in. I’m not just jumping on some bandwagon in a vain attempt to keep my shop afloat either. Being inclusive is so much more than just opening your doors to a group of brown babes to model your clothes. It’s believing and seeing them as equal, human, beautiful, and just as amazing as you are! It’s seeing those differences and realizing that those differences make each person unique and beautiful. It is something that should be embraced and celebrated!
So while the old adage might have said “I don’t see color” to describe your slightly skewed “non-prejudiced” ways, I say I do see color. I see your differences. I see your uniqueness. I see you. It’s that view that allows me to learn and grow as a person and as an individual. It’s what allows me to teach my daughter to do better and be better. And while diversity for the sake of diversity is a step in the right direction, I like to think that we will truly be making a difference once we all learn to love our differences.
I want Ziva’s Closet to be a place where we embrace all the different races, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, abilities, & disabilities. I think Christina Aguilera said it best when she sang,
“You are beautiful no matter what they say Words can't bring you down....oh no You are beautiful in every single way Yes, words can't bring you down, oh, no So don't you bring me down today…”
After all, each and every one of us is a part of one big wonderful human rainbow, and who doesn’t love rainbows? So with that in mind, I’d like to introduce my fabulous team of beautiful girls. They bring life, love, and laughter into the clothes I create!
SaNiya is 4 years old (she will be 5 in July!) She started repping for Ziva's Closet this last term. Her momma, Savita, entered her in the last rep search because she felt that Ziva's Closet offered something different from what she had been seeing in other small shops.
Abigail is 4 years old. She started repping for Ziva's Closet in January of 2019. Abbey loves to sing and dance. Her daddy is a musician and she enjoys to play guitar together. Her momma, Sonya, liked the fact that it was a very small boho inspired handmade shop. She especially liked the laid back attitude!
Zoey is 5 years old and she has been a rep for a couple of terms now. She loves to sing! Zoey is autistic and her mom, Alicia, liked the casual but girly vibe of the shop! She also loved that clothes can be custom made without tags and with velcro because some autistic kids can have sensory issues with clothing and textures.
Ciara is 4 years old and she joined our Ziva's Closet family 2 terms ago (although my Ziva and Kiwi have been hanging out and are bff's for a bit longer than that) Kiwi is a ball of energy that can have a meltdown at any given moment! Kiwi's mom, Blue says, "Nikki and Ziva repped for me and we did a shop trade and I fell in love with her stuff!"
Ivy is 7 and she just joined the team this spring! Ivy is training towards her black belt in soo bahk do (hopefully next year because there are age requirements that she doesn't meet quite yet) and she loves to ride her pony Moose. Says Holly, her momma: "Because my husband and I are both self employed supporting small business is important to us. With that said, unique, well made clothing shops are what we want to support and recommend. Ziva's Closet fits those requirements."
Zayda is 6 years old and the youngest of 4 (she's also the only girl!) She's been on the team since last fall. Zayda loves to write, draw, the outdoors, and to play with her Barbies. Her momma, Krystle, saw the rep search and decided to check out the shop. She loved what she saw and has been a fan ever since.
Jocelyn is 3 years old and she joined our Ziva's Closet family last spring. Jocie is a sassy little thing who loves dolls and Minnie Mouse but she also equally loves Dino's and superheroes! Mom, Leslie, says: "After repping with Ziva on Teensy Human Threads I fell in love with how different Ziva's Closet was!"
Aubrey is 6 years old and has been on my team for quite a few terms now! She loves acting, singing, and dancing. Momma, Tati, says she loved the different clothing style that Ziva's Closet had to offer.
Alexa is 4 years old and she has been on the team for about 6 months now. She loves to dance, sing, do makeup and hairstyles! Selena (Alexa's momma) says it was her first time looking for shops to rep for and Ziva's Closet stood out for her and called out for attention.
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Emily, age 8 (she will be 9 on August 21) She started repping for Ziva's Closet 2 terms ago. Emily loves makeup and cheerleading. Mom, Brittany, says, "We previously purchased items and I like the unique designs."
Hailey is 10 years old and she joined our team a couple of terms ago. She's a Diva & she wants to be an actress. Mom, Jean, says she loves fun clothes that are not cookie cutter copies of other shops.
Presley will be 4 on the 14th of next month. She joined our Ziva's Closet family a couple of terms ago with older sister Hailey. She is super friendly, crazy yet loveable, & she busts out into song everywhere she goes! (Mostly Beatles songs) Her mom, Jean, appreciates that Ziva's Closet carries sizes for little girls as well as big girls!
Audrey is 5 years old and she has been here since the very beginning. Audrey loves to draw and singing the alphabet. Mom, Ellie, says that being friends with Nikki is one of the main reasons why she loves Ziva's Closet.
Finally, this is Samantha. She is 3 years old (soon to be 4) and has been with me for close to 1.5 years! Sam is a wild child in front of the camera but she can be quite shy in person. She loves her ballet and tap classes and she has a passion for fashion. Momma, Julie, says "Ziva's Closet really is Where Boho Meets Casual. The clothing is unique, fun, and vibrant. It can be dressed up or dressed down depending on accessories"
So there you have it! My gorgeous team of girls. Each beautiful, different, & amazing and I wouldn't have it any other way.