The Real Slim Shady Keeping it Real

In today’s sustainable fashion / upcycling stories, I would like to share with you how I upcycled this old red Eminem jumper into a dress.

This Eminem jumper was originally owned by my stepson when he was 14 years old, and now that he’s all grown-up, he gave this to me to send to the op shop (which I didn’t) and decided to keep it for myself and create another work of art.

All of my upcycling projects are considered my work of art. Just like many artists and creative people, it took so much planning and time before creating this one-of-a-kind piece. Each piece has its own story to tell, from how I acquired the materials including who’s the original owner, down to the planning process of what design and style I could make, etc. and etc.

Anyway, if you are an avid reader of my upcycling project stories, you probably know the drill.

Just like the previous dresses and outfits I’ve made, this new version is made possible by combining the textile remnants I got in my stash, but this time I chose mostly shades of red.

Watch my TikTok video on how I flipped this into a flouncy dress.

@blair.villanueva that day I finally upcycled this old @eminem jumper and turned it into a dress! #reworkedclothes #refashionista #upcyclingfashion #upcycledfashion #sustainablefashion #sustainablemaximalism #streetwear #tiktokph #tiktokaustralia #sewing #fashion #warragul #douyin ♬ Summer Fashion - FASSounds

I’ve recently worn this dress during my visit to NGV Melbourne, and it did stand out.

I should do it more often!

This red bag is one of my favorite finds from my op-shopping gig and a pair of red Hunter Wellington boots (royalty favorites!) that I bought online.

A little bit of musing here….

Cool kids of the year 2000 will never forget the phenomenon era of the Real Slim Shady.

I still remember in my senior year of high school how the boys at that time rapped their hearts out on Eminem’s lyrics, although am not sure if they really uttered it fittingly, or just pure mumbling coz it does take talent to do it correctly. But the chorus turns the whole school class into a hype mode raising their arms up high just to get our teacher’s attention.

It was a cool era, and I’m glad that I had so much fun!

It was the era where my journey began to discover my inner true self and express myself creatively through fashion and my unpopular opinions, during those years I admitted to myself that it would be a challenge to keep true friendships, and the rest only sticks with me along with their own personal agendas.

I got criticized a lot, and frequently told that I should stick to the group norm and IDGAF!

Because I know myself, and not afraid to show my ‘Slim Shady’ in me.

And truly grateful that I chose to create my own path and follow what I desire.

Being authentic to yourself is what makes you unique and irreplaceable. Keeping it real will make you feel alive, free from any worries and anxieties, more creative freer spirited, and yet grounded with what you truly believe in.

Just like Eminem said, we all have our own various versions of Slim Shady. We must be real to ourselves and stand up for ourselves.

What do you reckon of my dress?