More Frock, Less Talk?

So with 2 weeks to the show, the logistics are being analyzed-model/oufit order, final song picks, even pre-show soundtrack. And the biggest issue for me is the chatter. Do I, or don't I? Last season, I was going to just send the models out, since we were onstage, not doing luncheon tables, or a country club setting. But I always hear "I love the commentary", more than I hear, or more likely overhear someone saying "I'd rather just look at the clothes". Now I am not a fan of director's cuts, but with clothing coming so close to home-I make it, we fit it,you wear it -I sometimes find it helps to say "you can't put x with y" and see how it appears like an epiphany to clients that you can mix it up, and not only do it as it's shown. And I also think it makes it more human. In the design industry, this is frowned upon. "Must be above the fray. No talking to 'the little people'.. Which is why the industry is failing the client. I can be as affected as any Eurotrash trouser peddler you'll ever run across. I can tell you my abstract influences, and prattle on about how Rothko's depth of colour changed my life. But maybe I can do it with a sense of humor while you watch 3 months of work pass by in 20 minutes, and make more of a connection. Or maybe not. I'd love to know what you think, so let me know.

More, More, More

Not that I'm pulling a Hanna Montana grift, but the week long Everything Sale has been extended. If you want a jacket, I'm afraid you're out of luck. They were gone faster than honeymoon pajamas. But if you need an exceptional skirt, a great cocktail dress, a fabulous coat, reversible waterproof/faux fur storm poncho, or sexy sweater-not an oxymoron in here, but a real need-hello-I can't feel my fingers today-could it be a little colder???? -you're very much in luck. Perhaps you've got a Valentine date? You know, if you get it on sale and look amazing, you'll be loved more.

Holes

As the days wind down to show time, a lot goes on. But right at this point, before the final fittings, I look for holes. And I always see them. Because until now, I'm working completely from my gut. I'm not thinking "what do women want?", because I am one, and I sort of think I know what to do, but no, the holes are always there. Did I address the needs of a woman working in a male dominated enviroinment? Do I have the 'can't live without it' summer skirt someone sees in the window and pulls across traffic to come in for? Do I have the perfect dress for a mid day wedding? Do I have the perfect get-up for your son's wedding if you don't have the perfect arms you thought you would at this point in your life? And when will I stop trying to be all things to all people? It's enough to leave you with a nervous tick. Yes-it is- that happened yesterday, when I woke up with a lip twitch Elvis would come out of hiding for. I design what I want, and I hope someone will want it. This is perhaps not the smartest of business models, but it really works if you think from all corners. There is a coat called "Fade To Brown" in the line-up. It has already caused a stir with everyone who has seen it. I wanted to make a perfect Spring coat. Maybe I watched too many That Girl episodes as a child, home from school in a fever state, but I thought it would be great to have this coat you put on and looked fresh and polished and ageless, but cool. An It coat. I knew a tweed would be tired. And heavy. But it had to have texture and interest. And it couldn't wrinkle, and it couldn't be fragile-you needed to use it, not take care of it. It couldn't be too light, but it couldn't be so dark it looked you were on your way to a funeral in the rain. I sometines run the trails in the woods behind my house at daybreak, and there are ferns all along the forrest floor that look incredible when the sun is illuminating them. I had thought it would be a great project with my daughters to use a breyer and print linen with their image. Of course that never happened, since I barely have a life outside of work and am not Marty Stewart. But when I was fabric shopping, I found a silk brocade, in an ivory to chocolate hombre with ferns printed in white running up the border. I remember the first time I saw it across the room. You'd have thought Ralph Fiennes walked in with a bouquet of flowers for me. I must have had a look of wistful longing on my face. It's the same look people have when they come in and spot the coat I made from it. Now today, I went through all the jackets, and I came up with some new, fresh ideas, and love them, and I think they could become a part of many women's wardobes, and fill those "It's 86 degrees outside, my office is 55 degress, and I have to go out for dinner after work-what do I wear?" moments. But I still get kind of misty when I think about that coat...