The Best in Coats for Winter ‘09

by Elizabeth Oswald
I’ll admit I’ve never really put to much effort into thinking about Winter Coats. Never really needed them in Arizona.
Thankfully (because I actually love coats) I just relocated to cold climates (actually still in the process of getting settled), so now I definitely need a Winter Coat. Here’s what I have found:
Military Style Jackets/Coats
I’ll be honest; this style isn’t really first on my list. I want a coat that feels feminine, not so masculine. But much to my delight and surprise – you can now have both in a [...]

We Love Our New Arizona Contributor!

Meet Elizabeth! Maybe a little shy, but loves color, allowing her to let her real side show through. You can see it when you look at her gorgeous jewelry designs. She is the goofy girl who still has those fun-colored notebooks, her cell phone case is hot pink and her nails are always painted in vibrant colors. She loves to keep her hair red. She just can’t seem to get enough of color! You’ll see this in her jewelry line, too. Great fun little pieces that jump with color!
An Arizona native, Elizabeth moved around as a child. She has since [...]

Should You Make Time for Social Marketing?

Last week I attended a very successful women’s networking group in L.A. sponsored by Bag Lady Promotions. We have written about BLP on the blog before. Laura, the event coordinator and founder does a great job of bringing together some of the smartest and most connected women in L.A. While I was there, I mingled with a few new designers and had the chance to hear their stories…their successes and their challenges.
What I continue to hear over and over again is that making the time for sites like Twitter, Facebook, fashion blogs and social networks is nearly impossible when orders [...]

Zebra Collection: A New Brand in Luxury

This new “collection” really isn’t a collection at all…Zebra Collection is a new luxury resort brand. My first thought when I saw these new designs was, “classic zebra print?…they must be on to something!” I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Bruce Gregg, the designer and creator of this new animal print-inspired luxury label. During our conversation, I learned that Bruce spent twenty years in photography but eventually found his real passion…fashion design. And, I have to give it to him…he has a vision!
The distinction between Zebra Collection and other fall collections is that this is an entire [...]

New Mommy Must-Have: The Gebbie Cloth

A new mommy-turned-designer has created yet another must-have baby item: The Gebbie Cloth. It’s a fashionable wrap-around burp cloth that will save a mom’s precious working wardrobe and keep baby clean.
Why didn’t I think of this?
Dr. Karen Blessey was a working mom and needed to preserve her expensive wardrobe, but she also suffered from the inconvenience of a standard burp cloth that fell off her shoulder often and onto a dirty floor. So she teamed up with landscape architect, Adrienne Thompson to produce The Gebbie Coth. This fashionable burp cloth wraps around a mom’s neck so she can avoid having [...]

What Does the CIT Bankruptcy Mean for Indie Designers?

The short answer is…it depends.
If your business has been fortunate enough to do a 1/2 million dollars in sales each year, then you may want to consider another factor for financing your accounts receivables. However, if your line is relatively new and working with smaller accounts, then financing could be a little harder to find.
However, there may still be resources available to help you. Here are some tips:
1) Start Local! Check into an SBA chapter in your local community. These offices are 50% funded by the federal government and 50% funded by the local governments to help stimulate economic growth. [...]

Wyatt Orr: A New Runway Favorite

by Andrea Pohlot
Photos by Aundrea Harrell

We recently found Wyatt Orr on the Portland runway and they blew us away!  Their sculpted jackets were so well done. These recent design school graduates have launched with an already strong portfolio! Crosby Noricks, of PR Couture was sitting next to me. I kept elbowing her throughout the show to say, “I want that…and that too…and I must have that piece now!”
Liise Wyatt and Karly Orr are the minds behind Wyatt Orr. They combined efforts for Spring ‘10 to show both their individual design talent in women’s ready-to-wear, as well as their combined venture [...]

Vert Couture Eco-Fashion as Fashion Focus Finale

by Rachel Yeomans
Photos by Abigail Harenberg

I remember when being “green” accompanied the chime “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Over the past few years it has become much more. The building industry brought forth LEED certification, cars are going hybrid, and the term “organic” has gone from food to fashion.
When eco-fashion was first introduced, it caused some skepticism that it may tout the description of “granola” versus “grandeur”. However, throughout the years and through the efforts of some passionate designers, the skepticism can now be happily disregarded. And Sunday’s Vert Couture “Springtime in Chicago” runway show was a fantastic reminder that green [...]

Nicholas Clements-Lindsey brings Texas to LA

By Andrea Pohlot
Nicholas Clements-Lindsey recently took the stage in Los Angeles. This Dallas-Fort Worth native showed a Spring ‘10 collection that was larger than life! Think bows, trains, satin, raw silk, faux buttons and COLOR!  This is exactly what you’ll get with a NCL design. Nicholas Clement-Lindsey has been described as a “dark horse designer”. His Criminal collection, is inspired by the minds of Christian Dior and Edith Head. This collection is a cross-blend of the films The Great Gatsby and To Catch A Thief, where the fashion-forward characters set the tone of what fashion should be during the roaring [...]

Couture in the kitchen?

That’s no Stepford Wife. That’s Kitchen Couture! All I have to say is…why didn’t I think of this! Of course, I would have to spend time in the kitchen for that to happen. (my poor husband)
But who really knew an apron could look oh so couture! Michele Fox and her mother Dalyne Easley, are the design minds behind this fabulous line. And I’m so excited to bring their new collection to you for the first time.
Not only does Kitchen Couture include several adorable designs, colors and fabrics to choose from, they have also discovered a new use for all of [...]