The journey of Feelin’Blue began in my Beach Haven West bedroom one night in June of 2019 with a lightbulb moment. At the time, I had gotten so many compliments on distressed cut-off shorts I made for myself from thrifted jeans. So, I went back to the thrift store and grabbed jeans in five different sizes and did the same distressing to them. I set up an Instagram account @shop_feelinblue. My recycled denim pieces sold so fast on Instagram, I decided to plan an in-person shopping experience in July. I had my first pop-up shop at 506 Boutique in Surf City where I sold my Feelin’Blue shorts for $10 and little clutches, made from the cuffs of the jeans I cut, for $5.

Since then, I have expanded my product line and my pop-up shops are held up and down Long Beach Island and in North Jersey. I also sell curated vintage clothing, accessories, and homewares. 

As a recycled fashion brand, it is extremely important to me that my customers know where their donated denim is going and how it is being recycled. I handpick every pair of jeans given to me, distribute them into product piles, and sew them into my designs. I use every bit of the fabric, even for packaging. It is very satisfying for me to see my recycling process go full circle; from donation, to redesign, to sewing machine, into your hands and back into use. 

I am so grateful to have built a brand creating something new out of something left behind. And I am grateful for the support of the community that surrounds me. I could have never reached this point without it. The creative process of making these products is a journey I truly feel is heaven-sent and I can’t wait to see where life takes me next.