It’s been so crazy yet wonderful over here: new interns, new collection, more work, no seamstress. It’s funny, that was the running theme for March, “I Need A Seamstress.” We actually tested out a few but for one reason or another, it hasn’t worked out…yet. But I am optimistic that April will be better. I really NEED it to be better cuz I can’t keep sewing everything. I got a life I want to live! But seriously, things just keep getting busier so I will have to find someone (or two) asap. *Taking recommendations.*

But as always, the show goes on. Last week, I met with Mambu, a good friend and awesome photographer. We will be teaming up to shoot my spring collection. Funny thing is he reached out to me in 2010 about working together and we are JUST getting around to doing it. Better late than never. We discussed several ideas for the shoot. I am so excited! It should be fun. 

 Mambu. Our “meeting” was at Golden Crust!

 One of new interns, Courtney, taking notes and trying to avoid the camera. I see you Coco!

 Me + my new shades + Mambu = nothing in particular.

You can check out Mambu’s blog and portfolio. Pretty sure you have seen his work before.

And while I’m designing the new spring collection AND fulfilling retail and wholesale orders, I am also working on one of kind pieces that will hit the store soon. I have so much fabric, some remnants of things you’ve seen before, some I’ve never used and have had for YEARS. So I will be posting pics soon. Here is a peek at a new pair of leggings paired with our Cater Dress. 

So excited to finally get new things out to you guys.

I have been kinda M.I.A…thought that I would be able to do this diary thing every week but I really didn’t anticipate all the wonderful things that would happen for my business. I have been trying to keep up with orders and experienced exhaustion like you wouldn’t belive! Got sick, recouped only to have to hit the sewing machines again. BUT great news: today was the first day I interviewed for help! I’m hiring a seamstress and 1-2 interns to help me out.  I’m so excited to get the ball rolling. There is so much ground I will be able to cover with the new additions to my team, including getting orders out much faster. So this week I will be conducting interviews and I hope to have everyone start next Monday. Super excited!

And speaking of hiring, I was looking at my 2012 business goals, posted in my second diary entry, and I am already ahead of schedule on a lot of things!  Most goals I wanted to reach by September & I have already reached them. Man, sometimes your mind can take you farther than you think if you just take the first step! But here are the goals I listed in January:

• move into a new studio space (in a much better managed building) DONE—-> living & working in the same place
• hire in-house seamstress(es) ALMOST DONE—-> interviewing potential candidates now
• buy an industrial coverstitch machine DONE
• do more wholesale selling (to reputable businesses) DOING—-> picked up 5+ new wholesale accounts since February
• attend a trade show (as a consumer & vendor) DID attend one in February as a consumer
• network more—-> This one is always a bitch for someone like me who is an introvert

I have more goals but I can’t give you everything! 

Spent the first couple months of 2012 working hard. Now I’m excited to start working smart!

So sorry that I did not update last week. It has been sooo busy around here: I got a new sewing (coverstitch) machine, and just signed a lease on my new apt. As you can see from the pic above, I have nothing but my machine in my apt. (And clothes, which were the first things I moved, of course!) On top of that, business has picked up 2000% (not sure why but I am thankful) and I have a few projects I am working on. (I think 1 will reveal itself within a week or so.) I really don’t know how I am even managing it all! So I guess this weekend I will have to make time to move into my new place. Thank goodness it’s just across the hall from where I’m at now. 

So prior to last week, I was looking for a separate work space. My mom & I saw so many places! But every place I saw had some kind of flaw. If you know NYC, you know that is normal. 

Side note: We saw this 1 place that was an old school building. It had NO HEAT, NO RUNNING WATER, peeling paint, boarded up windows, and the guy had the nerve to want to rent it out! For like $950-$1250/month! AND it was for only 3-12 months. (The building is about to be demolished & turned into apartments.) WTF? Smh.

I was gonna just stay with my mom for a few more months but then the apt across the hall became available so I said why not! I miss having my own apt. So I am happy now. I feel my sanity coming back.

So how do I feel about working at home? It has it’s pros and cons…I would rather have a separate work space cuz it’s more professional but I’m saving a lot of money by having everything in one place. So for this next year, this is how i’m rocking. 

So I will be accepting studio visits and having invite only-intimate shopping events as soon as I can get everything situated. Excited. 

I am so thankful. 

The year of my first studio in pics.

The best and and worst thing I could have done was to look at all these pics. It made me miss having my studio. But it also reminded me of how far I have come. (And of all the designs I forgot about.)

Last week I began looking for a new space again. My mom says I don’t do much work when I am home. (Has she not seen all my orders?) But I think that I just work MUCH better when I am alone. (And my new thing is scheduling “working hours” so I’m not like working at odd times.) So we saw 6 places last week; only one I contemplated taking…but the commute was so long that I decided it was a no-go as well. But I want to find a new space so badly, especially for my creative sanity. Also, customers keep asking if they can come by and try things on and it’s a bummer to say no. But this week is a new week so I hope I can find something dope, even if it’s a little temporary “sanity” space. 

So last night I had the privilege of being a guest on Lipstick Lies, a new streaming show hosted by Nyla Tinkerbelle. Last night was their second show. They highlighted women entrepreneurs. Had to drive all the way out to Long Island but it was worth it. Here are some pics from last night.

*Shout out to all my friends and customers who watched and hit up the chat room, i appreciate the love.

**You can watch the video here: www.ustream.tv/recorded/19728365

I appear after the 44:00 mark. And Uncle Jimmy makes a guest appearance towards the end, around the 1:07 mark.

My driver, Uncle Jimmy

Me (in all my granny-looking glory) and my dear friend Deanna. She was the one who referred me for the interview.

Deanna was also on the show. She is an attorney.

Me with the co-hosts. Cheesing. 

Talking.

Rent is too damn high!

Uncle Jimmy with Deanna and her husband CJ.

Red light special.

LL Cool J

Silly.

Ok, I will be serious…

But not for too long!

Happy new year everyone!

I’ve been quiet on tumblr for a while: was getting orders out for christmas/new years; went to visit my great friend Michaela in Rhode Island; spent new years with my friend Damion in New Jersey. So I took a break from blogging for a while but now I’m back!

But while away, I decided that 2012 will be dedicated to making huge leaps, both in my personal life and business-wise, and documenting them. So I will be doing regular installments of what I like to call “diary of a designer,” showcasing more behind the scenes of my life as an independent fashion designer. 

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DAY 1.

It’s been 5 months since I’ve seen my babies. Yes, I call my sewing machines my babies. They have been in storage all this time. When I moved out of my studio/office space & started working back at home, I decided I would rely more on a factory to get my clothing done. BUT of course, it was not a great situation. Because I am a small fry in the fashion world, my orders would get pushed to the back constantly. The factory almost always gave me my things late or right on time, which then I would have to rush to the post office & mail them. No bueno. I tried everything too: gave them things early, called a day before AND on the day of to make sure my things would be ready. Nothing. I once gave them 21 pairs of leggings. June, head of the factory, told me it would take her 3 days to finish but I gave her and a full week to do it. Called the day of pick-up and got there at 5pm. Don’t you know that they had JUST STARTED sewing them? Came back an hour later and they STILL were not ready. Sat there an extra hour waiting for them to finish. It started to affect my business so I just decided to go back to sewing for a while until I can get someone to sew in-house for me, which I am thinking will be soon.

But I am happy to have my babies back. I feel much more creative knowing they are here with me. I can just jump up and sew ideas that are in my head instead of having to go to the factory & wait God knows how long for them to finish it. And I know orders will get out 10x faster, which is very comforting.