Fashion Slow Lane!

Leather is really big right now! All the major designers are showing leather jackets, leather pants, and leather accessories. I remember when I was right out of high school I really wanted a leather jacket. So I saved all my tips working at the Red Bird Country Club in Savannah, GA and took the $300 and bought a black mens leather jacket at Wilson's Suede and Leather in a mall in Savannah, GA. It had a elasticized waist and space type shoulder designs, very Michael Jackson. My best friend back in Seattle worked for a custom embroidery company and so she embroidered my name in black on the leather collar. The black leather coat was heavy and amazing, it was a mens size 40 and I wore that jacket for about ten years, all through college. I wish I still had it. About 5 yrs ago when my husband and I purchased our first condo in Los Angeles, I had to purge my closet and it went to Goodwill. Somewhere, most likely in Los Angeles, someone has a black leather jacket with my name stitched in...

I am pleased to announce we are sold out of the Dr. Phil and the red Rocco satchel. We are almost sold out of the Carlo coin purse..we started with 300 pcs so I am surprised at how popular that style has been because it was a last minute add on when I ordered it last season. That is great because it makes more room in our office for new stock. We look forward to having new stock in 2010. Check back or follow our blog to keep informed. Thanks again to all of our customers and for supporting small business.

Since I returned from Italy, I have been working on a huge collection for a private client based out of Los Angeles. I have been ordering swatches from the Linea Pelle show like crazy and I am learning more and more about leather....and everything. I am still waiting for some amazing hardware to be sent. They do take ages to send anything! Like I was in Italy a month ago and some of these places have still not sent me my order! There is definitely a different way of doing business in the USA as compared to Italy. In Italy I don't feel they have a sense of urgency, even if you have money to pay them, they take about one month to send the invoice. Seriously. They are not hungry for business, yet they are hurting. I don't get it. When I want to do business with someone or a vendor, I send the order, the money, everything, I email and follow up with them immediately...I don't wait two weeks to respond to an email or even two days, I respond within a few hours....does ...

Even a Slow Economy Can't Keep Fashion Entrepreneurs Down - Fashion Manufacturing News - Apparelnews.net Great Article! Reminds me that even in the tough times we have to keep doing what we love, even if those around us think we are crazy! But I could never go back to being a dental assistant!

Just flew back from Bologna, Italy where I went to the Linea Pelle show for Fall/Winter 2010/11. I found the most amazing accessories, unique and fun, and the skins are lots of metallics in purples and greens. Purple is popular now and will be for some time to come, if we are going by what is at the Linea Pelle show. They are doing so many amazing leather treatments these days, but my favorite is the the deep colors with a bit of metallic shine to them and some texture. I also like pull up treatment. There was tons of animal prints and metallics - but those skins are going for like 50 Euro on up per square meter, pretty expensive for our line! But great to get an idea for what the more high end Italian brands will be doing! Its always cool to see everything, its inspiring, because here in Seattle, there is not enough fashion! Of course we are not allowed to take photos inside the show, some of the suppliers would screen you from even coming into their booth, but I took some o...

I leave in just a few days to go to Linea Pelle in Italy. I hope to find some unique leathers and really cool hardware, not only for myself but for some of my freelance work that I will hopefully have in the coming months. Freelance has been slower in 2009 than in 2008. In 2008 I was super busy and designed about 10 collections for various clients around the United States and Canada. This year, not so much. I think its because many handbag and fashion accessories designers have been laid off due to economy, and now they are also offering freelance services, so I have some competition! However, I must say the clients I have had this year so far are amazing women and have been very cool to get to know over the months as we tweak designs and deal with factories in different countries and the challenges that come with product development. I went to Bologna, Italy last year for the Linea Pelle show but I only went for one day and did not have a chance to check out everything because ...

My new favorite dream is MaxMara! I have had them on my radar for years, but being a freelance fashion designer in this economy does not afford me such luxuries. The other day I went into the MaxMara store in Pacific Place, an upscale shopping mall in downtown Seattle and I tried on a few of their amazing, luscious winter 2009/10 coats. I fell in love with a black mid knee length wool coat with a removable fox fur collar. I love fox, I have two jackets with fox and they are so gorgeous and just really soft to wear, makes one feel glam. OMG, its soooo gorgeous! I totally would of purchased it on the spot if I had been able to...but I know I have to pay the mortgage first and then see what is left over. The sales girl was kind enough to send me a photo of the coat. This photo does not do it justice its one of those coats you have to try on in person to really appreciate the quality and the beauty of the fit. For about $1500 this coat is well worth it and would last me for at l...