Saturday, August 30, 2014

So how did it go?!



So how did it go? It went. Actually, it went very well. With this being my first collection, it was important that the audience understood my apparel vision and aesthetic. Based off of the feedback, they got it! After investing a $hit ton of money and time in a big project, even though we are in a imperfect world, I still had the nerve to actually EXPECT for the presentation to be perfect.  Surprise! Things were not perfect. Between a few backstage mishaps, I had to take moments to myself to just calm down and breath. No, I didn't go have a cigarette or a glass of wine. I had to take moments to remind myself why I was there to begin with. I won't go through the things that went wrong (this time) or what I would change about the entire collection. I will say that I was/am in my element. When you are a part of that type of show, people, including your models, look to you for direction, which I had no problem giving. You have to make quick decisions to adjust to the imperfections; every minute counts. I learned, once again, I can handle more than I thought. Now that's doesn't mean I'm supposed to handle everything all of the time. Side note: I will be enlisting the help of a seamstress. I took my designer walk down that runway and I breathed a sigh of relief, not just because the show was done, but also because my support system was in the audience. That gave me more confidence than anything. My support may not understand the direction I'm going or may not fully understand my business vision. But what I do know is that they believe in me and that's everything.
P.S. I'm awaiting my professional photos from the show that I will post on this blog and on my website.


Friday, August 8, 2014

The Rookie



Twelve days until showtime.  On the last night of this fashion week, there's the finale that only ten out of the thirty designers, in the entire show, get to participate in. I was not chosen as a finale designer. Do I feel defeated? No. Am I disappointed? #&!! Yes. Now I could either choose to have an attitude, which would negate all of my hard work that I've put into this "thing" so far, or I can choose to get an explanation on why I wasn't chosen as a finale designer. I've chosen to get the explanation. My thought was that being apart of the finale, especially, as a "new" designer,  would have been a stamp of approval that I'm making clothes and building a business that's marketable and wanted! But now, four days have past, and I now think that the time, effort, and money I've put into my work, IS the approval stamp! A good analogy was used to compare what I'm doing to a rookie.  Some rookies win the championship the first time and some don't. Those that don't, they never retreat because they know they have the goods. That's all.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Another ONE



Even if you don't follow what goes on in the world of ballet, you've heard of Misty Copeland. I ran across an article in Elle Magazine titled " Proof That Misty Copeland Is the Most Badass Ballerina." (The link for the article is at the bottom of this post.) I noticed in the article, there was a copy of one of the rejection letters she received on her dream catching journey. That struck me as so significant as I was reminded to keep record of my small beginnings: from my current work space that I'll just simply call "The Design Studio" to my first fashion show, and even the rejections! When you start seeing your own progress regardless of how big or small, it does something for your confidence in what you have to offer. Keeping record of your journey is not just for your inspiration, but to inspire someone else. I wonder what Misty thought when she was reading that she was "too old" to follow her ballerina dreams. She may have been sad, she may have had thoughts of "f...this", but she had enough stamina within her to keep the letter ...as motivation and to keep dancing. Next time you receive a denial, don't throw it out. Add that to your "Progress File." You'll need it later for the next "Badass" article featuring YOU.
 (http://www.elle.com/news/fashion-style/misty-copeland-ballet-under-armour)