Sun in Leo is bringing ecologically conscious fashion to Kent.

Owner Justine Gallo opened the doors of Kent's newest boutique in Acorn Alley on Thursday, and had a grand opening bash on Saturday. Wheel Weights Accessories

Gallo said she's always been interested in fashion. Naturally, owning a boutique is a perfect fit.

Sun in Leo deals in upcycled boutique goods created from discarded or used items.

"I upcycle and responsibly source clothing, accessories, apparel and like knick-knack trinkets," Gallo said.

Art, spiritual books, candles, handbags, and scarves are arranged around the shop, "Just kind of like anything that I think is cool," she said.

Shoppers can come browse the store 2-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The price range of her goods is between $22 and $55, with most items falling between $22 and $33. Nothing in the store is more than $100. All of Sun in Leo's pricing is done using "angel numbers," repeating number sequences often with three or four digits, which, in numerology, signify messages from the spiritual universe.

Gallo, a Kent State University graduate with a bachelor's in fashion and minors in photography and sustainability in fashion, produces many of the items herself.

New to Acorn Alley:Something for everyone: Tiger Rae Boutique opens in Kent

"I usually go to the thrift store, kind of refurbish the ones that are already like cute or whatever, or just simple that don't need embellishments," she said. "I clean it up, kind of repair them if they need a new latch or something."

If it's an item that she doesn't really like, she'll deconstruct it and reassemble the pieces into something else.

Anything she can't make on her own — candles or charms, for example — she sources from a website called faire.com, an internet wholesaler that allows local retailers to buy from independent artisans and brands. Gallo usually makes her purchases from vendors that aren't on Amazon, but are small-batch, eco-friendly, woman-owned.

Upcycling old garments serves a dual purpose. It mitigates fashion industry waste, and it connects people with what they wear.

"It kind of like humanizes clothes again and the connection you have with it," Gallo said.

She encourages people to come in even if they don't need anything new. Sometimes a customer might not know that they can use an old favorite in a new way, tailored to their individual style.

"There's really no reason to need to feel like you're in something new if you feel [like] yourself, an individual, every time you're out," Gallo said. "There's no reason to rush. We really need a new shirt for your party, but if you need help styling, let's find you a different way to style it."

She's very open to the idea of collaborating with anyone — customers, university fashion students, Kent State itself, artists, or photographers. Ultimately, Gallo wants Sun in Leo to be a place where people can perfect their craft.

It's important to Gallo that everyone feel welcome in her store. Her aim is to create a relaxed, homey atmosphere where shoppers can feel comfortable and accepted.

"Even if you're not here to shop, I'd love to chat. That's part of learning and growing too," Gallo said. "It's more than just the sale, it's who's buying it too and who the person is. That's what inspires me, is the customers, because they're who I'm designing for."

The concept of circularity drives the store's business model.

"Currently most brands have a linear economy," Gallo said. This means that products are designed, produced, sold, and then thrown out when it has reached the end of its life. In a circular model, things are given new life instead of being condemned to a land fill.

"If your zipper's broken maybe I can put a really cool charm on the latch and it'll look even cooler now, and it's fixed, and you got to keep your favorite jacket," Gallo said. "So there's no need to throw it right now. I feel like there are so many other steps before."

This is different than how bigger brands approach sustainability. Gallo said that it's more likely that a larger fashion label will focus on how things will produced, focusing on making sure a garment is made with organic cotton or fabric obtained from a fair trade source.

That's all well and good, she said, but it doesn't address what happens when someone throws an item away.

"Sustainability is not enough," said Gallo.

At Saturday's grand opening, the small store was already full with shoppers. In the back corner, an aura photographer offered photos revealing the color of people's aura for customers making a purchase of at least $22.

Kent State student Amanda Barbale was there, browsing the stacks with her roommate, Faith Gard. Gard tipped Barbale to the store. Gard had been following Sun in Leo's social media after finding them at one of the art shows in the downtown square when the store was still primarily online.

Gard said that she was intrigued by the store's business model.

"I feel like it's just a waste nowadays to keep buying new clothes than to just upcycle old ones," Gard said.

As an enthusiastic supporter of small businesses, particularly those in Acorn Alley, Barbale was excited when her roommate told her about the store opening.

Both like the shop's aesthetics and appreciate the fact that it's a woman-owned business.

"Anybody can wear anything," Barbale said, "but this is very much for the female gaze."

Air Chuck Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com