Spring hopes eternal

Wow, this page and I have not been together in a long, long time. Deadlines, life, and so much more have gotten in the way. But as the year winds down, and I'm working on the last party wear of 2009, my mind is on spring, and what it will be, and when you'll all see it. This is very much a hard time for many in their day to day life, and so many more of us in our brains. What will happen, where is the world heading, what should we do and not do? One thing I know for sure-for spring, i will not look back, and neither should you. The future is now, we all need to get there.I think about these things all the time, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to make a really pretty dress. I'll show you things that make sense, but they should still wow you. In the meantime, come one down to the store and be wowed for the right now. There's so many great pieces to get you through the holidaze, and all at great prices for right now-you don;t need to wait for a sale, I built the sale price in when I designed them. Pop in for one of the Saturday Soirees, and help me celebrate the three fastest, and most rewarding years of my life.

A dress well suited

I can't stop making dresses. For daytime. Maybe the part of me that plays adult Garanimals every morning wants to call it a day. Maybe acting out against the sight of one more black fitted suit, one more supposedly new boyfriend jacket, one more rehash of skinny pants/man jacket pretending to be fresh. But the idea that I can zip up and go, hold my own in a roomfull of "suits", and still feel more than fine-I'm up for that. You?

The Kids Are Alright

I just came back from the shop, and working on the kids clothes. Although they don't represent a large part of what sells, they're a large part of my life-1/2 my family. My daughters are a huge influence on what I make for kids-if they don't like it, it doesn't happen.I run ideas by them, tell them what I'm thinking about making,ask them what they would want to wear, and work it all out so it doesn't appear like we're a traveling circus. I've been making over 90% of their clothes all their lives, and I know this may change quite soon, my hope is that they will carry this into adolescence, and the rest of their adult lives. Individuality and creative, useful ideas get the mind working, thinking big thoughts, and hopefully bringing positive influence into their lives. This may seem like a lot coming out of a 15" skirt, but it's got to start somewhere. I remember making a really great dress up in my room when I was 15, to wear that night to see U2 on their 2nd US tour-yes, I'm that old-and walking downstairs to have my Mom tell me there was no way I was leaving the house in something that short. I'm sure I have that coming in spades, but I'm hoping I can say-"Can I just run off a quick pair of leggings for underneath?" and only get an eye roll, an "Oh, Mother", and an eventual yes, even if they get shoved in their purse as soon as they get to the concert.

Here Come the Brides

Despite the odds, folks are still getting hitched, and it's always an honor to be the one making the dress. Between brides, mothers of the bride and groom, flower girls, bridesmaids, and people looking for something special to wear to weddings, it seems wedding season lasts around nine months at the store, with a little time off for a honeymoon from December through February. I've just finished the last draping on a gown with a gold french lace inset at the waist, which nicely offsets the gold organza hemband. Why leave the metal only on your finger? There's also a panne silk velvet gown, a slinky sequined silvery num-bah, even a silk velvet pantsuit in case Heather has two mommies-Hey, when in Connecticut...My shows now end in an all bridal finale, as opposed to the traditional one bride representing the look of the season. Besides reducing all the "HEY! why does SHE get the be the bride?!" model infighting, it shows my idea that a bridal gown can make a big impact without looking like a walking cake, and be fun, beautiful, comfortable, and let the bride be beautiful. Other than true love, and hopefully not a lot of rain, you can't ask for more than that.

A Month of Mondays

With the Fall show at FTC officially a month from today, the workload heats up. The pieces go from thoughts to 3D objects that need to fit a person and a purpose. And...I stop sleeping. Too much to do, and never enough time, and why close your eyes when you only dream about what you haven't done yet. Which is why I end up looking like Start Me Up era Keith Richards, as opposed to Satisfaction Keith Richards come showtime. But I'd like to bring you all in on the behind the scenes goings on, since so many people ask how do you go from concept to something hanging on a rack(and hopefully in your closet). My friend videographer Doug De Mille will be popping into the shop doing video updates, we'll post shots on works in progress, model fittngs, and we'll take you backstage on the big day. Your invites are on their way, tickets go on sale for non-FTC members tomorrow, and me, I start sleeping even less

So... how's it going?

Everyday, someone asks me that. Like we're all going through experimental drug therapy together. Like we've all gone on "Recessiontrex'at the same time, and wondering if it's keeping you up at night, too. No, not to be flippant, and by no means am I'm chauffeured in my Lamborghini to work everyday, but we're crazy busy. Maybe I'm doing something very, very wrong to be still driving my 11 year old clunker to work and be so busy I don't know what day it is, but maybe that's the point. To keep plowing ahead. Everyday, we have to get dressed. Someone gets married, someone has a huge meeting, someone is hitting a milestone. Showing up naked-frowned upon in most circles- so i still have a job.One that I love. Someone came in today for a fitting on a muslin, after a first meeting a week ago. She brought reinforcements to help her figure out which end is up -"Am I making the right choice?" "Does this suit me?" "Have I lost my mind to think this is the best idea?" I completely understand this-we all have too much on our plates, and are all afraid of making the wrong choice. I brought out the muslin I'd make, showed some swatches I'd found, and everyone was in agreement we'd hit upon a winner. I think the key is that I'm not trying to sell you 'a dress' because I can make any dress. I'm trying to make you look fantastic, which only reflects on me poorly if I don't do it right. Once I'm in, I'm in all the way-you had me at "Hello, I need ..."

Idle Hands..

I know this is a busy time of year-impending nuptials, bar/bats mitzvahs, weddings.."Holy crap, I might lose my job if I don't look the part"-wait-that hasn't been declared a national holiday, but i think it was on the bill..I'm so glad to be busy, I'm so happy to fuel people's fires, and I'm so glad we had a great showing, and a hopeful spring appears in the horizon. There are pieces in this collection that are so fresh, even to me, they seem from a foreign land. Pics will go up soon on the website. I love this-I love what I do, I love when YOU love what I do, and I'm happy to make you happy-it's win/win all around...