When Things Go Right

A beautiful woman left with a beautiful coat today, for $200, which I think was in the end less than it cost to make it, even though I made it, and am writing off the labor. But I am not hung up on this as "ART", I only know it's better not sitting on the rack, but on some one's back. She had red hair, a Copper Topper coat, a cold day, and she loved it. A perfect moment. And she, like a lot of women who come in, have a "You're my favorite pusher" tude, but since every one's veins not only remain clean, but minimized by the right red tones, it's a win/win deal. I sent a lot of things out the door today to make room for the new spring pieces, but I also was wearing a 2 year old sweater of mine and 19 month old pants. I know these things will be in people's lives along time, loved worn, and making new friends when the pieces from next season move into the closet with them. But come on down soon, because I'm running out of stuff....

Today In Silkland...

Or at least that is what it feels like.
cut..baste..admire..cut...baste...admire...Reality check-where's the party? Aren't we all down in the dumps? Isn't the sky falling? Well, yes. It's actually below the ocean floor at this point, I think. Yet, there's a wedding coming up in your future. A batmitzvah. An engagement party. You're turning 40, and you'd like to present yourself like you're turning 30. So, you need a dress. And I'm your girl. And I'm workin' hard. Clean, shape, fluid, but LESS. Less stuff, less pouf, less flouf. But by no means simple, and by no means dull. I counted yesterday, and I think I'm at 30 cocktail dresses, so perhaps it's time for a intervention. Or, an invitation....

Clean Slate

It's that time again-time to clear the decks and get ready for the new season. EVERYTHING is 50% off or more. I love what I make, but I love it more when someone is walking around in it, so come on down, and land some great deals.

Knee Deep and Lovin' It

There was a moment this week when my cutting floor was piled with things, and seven different ideas where floating in air and there was a hem to be done and 2 shirts for pick up, and I had to stop, inhale/exhale, and collect myself. Where is all this going? What am I trying to say with the clothes this season? Well, first off, it's not "Your strap is trying to escape from you giant puffy cake dress" and secondly, "Mamie Eisenhower called from the great beyond, and she wants her coat back". If I took a gorgeous, trim, strong woman and did those things to her, I'd have to shutter the store in 2 weeks. I think that's the difference in working with actual people, in the marriage of design and reality. I looked at all the fuller, beautiful organza skirts today and I had to check myself-Is Grace Kelly going to the Ting Tings? I think not. How many women will actually WANT that, AND be able to carry it? So maybe temper that with something that makes it work for more people. I've made some stunning raincoats this season. They look like cocktail dresses. They weigh 10 ounces. You could stand under a sprinkler in them, and look fine. I've been asked will I play it safe in this economy. Big fat NO. My motto-Give the People What They Didn't Know They Wanted". You get one chance, one glance, to hit people's soul. "Where did you get that?" "I love that!" I have the Branch Effect coat from this season, and it is no exaggeration that if I am in earshot of someone, they say "That coat looks great on you" Not just "That's a great coat" You're most likely not going to hear that about a black coat, in as much as you're not going to hear that about a coat that looks like a couch from a 1960's tea room. But it's my job to make you see that maybe that "perfect black raincoat" is really shot with pewter threads, or maybe it's not black at all-it's copper. Or gold. Or both. And no matter what, you will not leave me looking like we ate a few pizzas during the fitting. I can't tell you how many times a day I'll drape something on myself, then remove it and ask myself, "do I look thinner in that, or out of it?" And I'm thinking, I'm not a big girl, so let's ere on the side of caution. But maybe I'll make the middle with sheen, and the edges flat, so the hip dissipates into nothing..." But you don't see any of that. You see "Great skirt-and I look so thin!" That's my job when I do it well. And yours is just to sit back and enjoy yourself in all your fabulous glory.

Holy Bejesus Batman! I haven't blogged in months!

So, uh...Happy New Year! Well, it's 2009, and around here, the physical start of making a new season. I am at once sad and happy to say we have been too busy to chat up the Internet, but we are now making Spring, and that is when the wheels really turn. But not without the catalyst of the work that brought us through the season. Things are completely bananas, no one knows which end is up...want to buy a raincoat? Why, yes, YOU DO! apparently, you cannot call in "depleted"to work. You still have to get up, get dressed, and work your bum off. Or perhaps, despite the 50/50 chance of success, your daughter's getting hitched! And not only do you have to pay for it, you have to look like Carla Bruni. We are about to shoot the photos for spring 2009, and my brain is SPINNING. Luckily, so are the wheels on my machines. Raincoats that bowl you over, and weigh a feather...eye popper evening looks....super suits...People of America! I will NOT fail you! I am doing a dress for one fave model Tim's wife-they are going to the inagural Tech Ball. She said Black. I said NO! Red, sister, RED!!!!It is the dawning...of a new era!!!!!