Fashion Slow Lane!

What do you think about this statement regarding America? "In a culture comprised of 5% of the world population, using 75% of the world's resources, we have come to accept excess as a way of life and a standard to subscribe to." Do you feel this way is true? Bigger is better?  I currently live in a 775 square foot apartment and I drive a 7 year old VW Jetta so I do not personally subscribe to this way of thinking.  Not only because I live an urban lifestyle, but too much "stuff" tends to stress me out.  I did not grow up in a large house so I am not used to having massive extra space and stuff.   Do you work harder to buy more "stuff"? or do you work hard for other reasons?  I like to challenge myself, and I like nice clothes and shoes, but even if I had the money I don't think I would buy a McMansion or a giant auto. I would rather travel and have memories than fancy "stuff". Would be great to hear other opinions on this topi...

My kid bringing the cart to help us load our earthly possessions after our trip to the cabin recently.   Sometimes you just need a little help in life.  Amen?

There have only been a few times in my life that I had nightmares about being homeless.  When I was about 23 or 24 and just out of college, I was living with a wealthy family as a nanny for the summer while looking for a full time job.   Their house was on the market and they had just sold it to a buyer.  I started having nightmares about being homeless because I did not have a full time job yet and I had to move out in a few weeks.   (I ended up landing a full time job and moving in with my grandparents who were in their 80's so my nightmare never came true.) This past year I had those nightmares start up again.  Only this time I have a kid and two dogs.  I was in the process of closing down my business and the bank was at zero, I had already lost my house to foreclosure and all my savings.  I would wake up in a cold sweat thinking about living on the streets.  I know what its like to be poor, down, and out, but not homeless.  It...

As someone who worked in the footwear industry for over 5 years, I have always admired good design.  I have met a lot of amazing designers that work in the industry.  Trends are great, but some of them are in my opinion, just good for the runway or Rihanna.   I think these boot-shoes-strappy-things look hot on the runway. Rihanna or maybe a high class strip join in Vegas. (not that I know anything about those places). At $3,690.00 these black leather strappy Buckled Sandal Boots can be yours today.  What a bargain!  That was the descriptive title on the Bergdorf Goodman website.  Tom Ford Spring 2013.   For about $4,000 with tax I can think of better pieces of fashion I would want to own, but to each his own. What do you think?  Strappy Buckled Sandal Boots, anyone?  They don't look very comfortable to me. Ciao! Tara Sauvage roccodante@gmail.com

My first job was shoveling pig manure on my fathers pig farm in rural Eastern Washington State.  We had to clean the pig pens out in between sows that were ready to give birth.  If I wanted some quick cash I would help my dad out.  He would pay me $4.00 per hour to shovel manure out of the pen.  It was hard work and the smell was to die for.  That smell is nasty, but after you are out in it for about 30 minutes or so, your nose would get used to it. I would wear my yellow Sony Walkman and listen to Madonna while I was shoveling pig manure...it was fun times.   I had to wear heavy rubber boots to keep the manure off of my feet, but it would still splatter on your clothes.   It was really disgusting.  There would often be maggots hatching in the manure and often dead carcasses of baby piglets that did not make it.   But I would not think about the grossness factor, it was all about the money.  Now you could not pay me to do that sh$%^ fo...

Ciao! I get a lot of emails from other start up handbag designers looking for free advice.  I don't usually give out free advice but sometimes if I am feeling generous I will blog about it or if you call me at the right time I will give out the information over the phone. Often I get asked where I get my handbags made.   I don't give out names of my overseas factories, but I can list a few of my USA factories.   I have made handbags with Portchester USA in Long Island City.   I did like the quality and I did like the owner of the factory.  He was helpful, cheerful and honest.   (I can't say the same for all handbag factory owners.)  I don't know how he is doing today, I will have to call him to say hello.   He only makes leather handbags, so don't contact him if you want to make fabric bags.  For more information please see their website www.portchesterusa.com and tell them Tara Sauvage referred you. I will add more to my list ...

Dear Fellow Handbag Designers, If you are looking for Italian handbag fittings and hardware please check out www.smartaccessori.it They have an online catalog.  I used to rep them, but now I do not.  If you want to order anything please contact them directly through their website. Thank you! Rocco