Fashion Slow Lane!

I am a chronic insomniac.  It is my only health concern and has been for about a decade.  I have been to the top sleep doctors in the United States, four of them to be exact.   I have spent hundreds of dollars on medications, counseling and appointments.   They all tell me about sleep hygiene.   With our "wired" world I feel these are important tips.   Here is the list from the National Sleep Foundation. Healthy Sleep Advice If you are having problems sleeping, the National Sleep Foundation suggests the following to improve your sleep: Set and stick to a sleep schedule.  Go to bed and wake up at the same times each day. Expose yourself to bright light in the morning and avoid it at night.  Exposure to bright morning light energizes us and prepares us for a productive day. Alternatively, dim your lights when it's close to bedtime. Exercise regularly.  Exercise in the morning can help you get the light exposure you need to set your bio...

I have blogged about this before but I am excited because now Makersrow.com has listings available for freelance designers.  I was able to post my profile for Sauvage Private Label LLC on the site. Makersrow.com is a website committed to promoting Made in USA fashion. If you have a new brand and your want your products made in the USA this is an awesome resource! Ciao, Rocco www.tarasauvage.com Freelance Design

About a year ago, I realized that I had to close my handbag brand Rocco e Dante for a variety of factors beyond my control.  (I won't go into detail here)   The process of closing the company was very difficult to say the least.   It was like breaking up with your boyfriend, painful and depressing.  At that point, I thought I would never ever want to own my own business again.   I felt like such a failure on one level, yet a part of me said I will do it over again...someday. I used to listen to a song by Pink during this time and the chorus went something like this: "Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned But just because it burns, doesn't mean your gonna die You gotta get up and try, and try, and try Gotta get up and try, and try, and try You gotta get up and try, and try, and try" I like the words, you gotta get up and try even after you get burned.   I know she is ...

When it comes to women's issues of self esteem, toxic relationships and other challenges that women deal with I am not afraid to share my opinions and experiences.   I think these topics are universal for women everywhere and I am very transparent about my own struggles. This past week I have been thinking about  how women are taught from childhood to be "nice" and how that plays out in our adult relationships and career.    When does that go too far?  Recent studies have shown that women who apologize for everything at home and in the workplace are often perceived as weak and insecure. I have come to realize that as an adult being "nice" can deprive you of your own happiness and cause others to take advantage of this perceived weakness.   Those women who are taught to not "rock the boat" are usually the ones that we would call a doormat in our society today. I was raised to be nice to everyone and not stand up for myself.   All through my grade ...

I can design anything.  These are ACETATE frames with Swarvoski crystals on the frames.   Made in Italy.  I will let you know where to purchase them next year.  For now you are the first to see the first sketch.  Ciao! Rocco. Sketch and Design by Tara Sauvage

I like discovering new designers and new collections.  This is a funky mod new line of jewelry from Heather Kahn, carried at Agency showroom in Los Angeles that I picked up for a client recently. The necklaces have PVC shaped crystals on brass chainmaille.   Kind of cool looking.   These retail for about $200 on up.  The line is carried at Agency Showroom in DTLA in the Cooper Building.  What do you think?   Weird or Wonderful?

For someone in the fashion industry I have surprisingly little in terms of clothes and shoes.   I rarely shop for myself, but when I do, I buy what I want when I see it, and don't care if it is on sale or not.  I don't have time to hang out in the malls and so if I get the chance to go and I see something I like, I just buy it.   With that said, most of my clothes I wear and wear until they are rags and the same goes with footwear.  My philosophy is "quality over quantity". For Fall 2013 if you are thinking about buying a pair of boots, may I recommend the best boots on the planet?   I bought this brand this past winter and I have never worn a pair of boots as much.  They are amazing and make me feel like a badASS when I wear them.  (and very few things ever make me feel that way) The brand is called "FreeBird" by Steven.   The boots will set you back on average $300 but its totally worth it.   I have a similar pair to the ones featured h...