Introducing Christina Blacken: Six Questions in Six Minutes
Hello eco-fashionistas! It's been seven, whole days since I was introduced to the C. Marchuska world. Now, it's my pleasure to return the favor and give you all the scoop on another member of the team, Christina Blacken. She's an Ogden, Utah native and Cornell alumna. Christina balances dual roles as a paralegal in midtown Manhattan and a blogger for C. Marchuska's sustainable web presence. So, you green guys and gals, without further ado... meet Christina.
Angel: So which came first, your work in fashion or your introduction to eco-conscious living?
CBlack: Eco-concious living crept up on me. I started wanting to know the when's, what's, and why's of the things I consumed and how they affected both myself and the world around me. And thrift shopping came from the fun of the find, and the necessity of needing to be fashionable on a student's budget (lol). Those two passions melded into me taking a course on eco-clothing at Cornell, and it went from there.
Angel: How did you partner up with C. Marchuska?
CBlack: I met Christine through a Woman's Entrepenuership Course at Cornell. She was giving a speech about transitioning from one career field to another (which she had done by juggling a finance job and starting the C. Marchuska line). I really loved what she had to say, so being the gung-ho person I am, I stayed after class to chat with her. She complimented me on my outfit and mentioned having some opportunies that she would love to have me help with. And now, I'm happily blogging away for the C.Marchuska site! 
Angel: Besides eco-fashion, what other green alternatives, projects or organizations do you support?
CBlack: Well, I am a semi vegetarian so that counts for something right? I also volunteer at Housing Works (http://www.housingworks.org), a social enterprise that provides rehabilitation and housing shelters for the homeless and individuals suffering from AIDS through the monies generated by their profitable businesses (a thrift shop being one of them). I am still on the hunt to find a great cause or org to join, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am open to them!
Angel: Do you have any advice for people who are interested about breaking into the eco-fashion industry?
CBlack: Read-Learn-Step Out. That's my three-step program to breaking into any passion or interest you love. Read up on an industry, learn the ins and outs, and places to be, and people you may be interested to meet. Then go out to groups, events, shows, and clubs that are apart of that interest.
Angel: Besides C. Marchuska, what other projects are you involved in?
CBlack: I am a singer and am on the hunt for great musical groups to be apart of (any suggestions NYCers??). I am still transitioning into the city, so I'm just taking everything in. Hopefully I'll be apart of some other great causes and activities very soon.
Angel: Any last words??
CBlack: Don't talk about it, be about it! So run and tell dat (what's a post without my favorite quote? lol)
Well, that's all for now, folks. Tune in next Wednesday for my sit-down with C. Marchuska blogger, Krystal. Until then, sit tight, take care... and go green.
-Angel