Thursday, October 2, 2014

On sustainability... and why we should care

Sarah Jessica Parker wears ECO-friendly sweatshirt by Pharrell Williams article here

In bed the other night, winding down for sleep, I asked my husband, "Can you think of any industry where people are banding together in a big movement to bring about change in industry practices?" No response.  "Anything?" 

Yes, these are my thoughts before I go to sleep...

"Hmm.. he said.  Maybe big oil?"

Oil?  I thought?  And then, I thought about a high school friend of mine, who I coincidentally ran into just a week ago, (who is actually an expert in the fields of Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility) and how some of the thoughts she has to share might be applicable in the sustainable fashion movement.

A path to her website led me to a link that you will have to see to believe.  When you visit, look at the list of companies on the left of the screen, and think about how many of those brands you own. 

*Keep in mind that specific brands play different parts in this crisis, and clicking through is necessary to read which details pertain to each company.

If a purchase of those products is a "vote" for their role in the industry, for slavery, for poor treatment, for unsafe conditions, for human rights violations, how many votes have you cast?

So...

Take a deep breath, then click here.

Also note problems such as food insecurity and anemia for factory workers in the article posted here.

But...

there are some great companies, like Levi Strauss, who are really making a point of having a clear, positive corporate mission as it relates to how their products are produced.

Here's a relevant article addressing the current concerns, and what can happen if not addressed... And another one...

But the big questions is... what will need to happen to make change happen?  What might we start to do differently?

Bigger still...

What will happen if we do nothing?


Tuesday, September 30, 2014

All is quiet

Things are awfully quiet in the district right now. This post is encouragement to put your money where your heart is...

Other than M&J Trimming and Mood, when was the last time you had to actually STAND ON LINE in a garment store?

Really, think about it...

Things are pretty quiet in the district these days.  Sure, many design businesses get their goods over the phone, online, and by sending assistants, gophers and interns to swatch, so when you shop nowadays, you've got a pretty good amount of elbow room in many of the district's best places.  If you read this blog, you already know where to go to find wonderful things!

We need these stores to stay in business and thrive.  We need them to continue to have great things for us to buy!

A recent Speakeasy participant told me that she used to sew long ago, but her interest was recently rekindled when she discovered that the things she truly would like to buy are not available in stores.  Tired of settling, she realized she could make things!

How about you?  I'm in a very creative moment right now, working to make beautiful things with fabric I've had for some time.  Here are some ideas that sing to me:

Roman shades!



Recovering an old chair/sofa!

 
Making a new dress - kinda inspired by this!





Using patterns and colors that delight!

Showcasing features, colors and textures that excite me personally!

My machine is humming... more later!



Sunday, September 28, 2014

The September 26 Speakeasy


I'll start with this:

I don't know if I can adequately convey the beauty of what we saw on Friday.  

I met our intimate group at our starting point on Friday morning, and immediately explained our Speakeasy shopping strategy.  Beautiful weather, our collective enthusiasm, and easy conversation created a solid, instant rapport. I shared some tips for navigating the district, negotiating with the salespeople, and the "speakeasy" elements of the stores we were to visit. Then I explained in detail, how I curated and organized the day's list of destinations.  Some "bonus" destinations were added on based on specific requests at the end of our day.  All in all, everyone had a ball... and I left the district tired and haunted by the fabrics I CANNOT bear not to purchase for myself.  Is this an illness?  Well, certainly not if I sew it all...  Okay, so I have to sew it all or check into a mental hospital.  So I'm whipping out the scissors and turning on the machine TONIGHT. 

Clearly, I will need to return to the district to buy some of the things that are haunting me next week.  Here is a small representation of the things that specifically called out to me:





Hello, Lover... The magical cotton weave above called my name, and reminds me of the artwork from the Ezra Jack Keats children's books, and it needs some of that blue leather to complement it...
That fabric makes me feel like this...

This one, I call a "drunken grid" - a cotton shirt weight fabric, begging me to take it home...









Silk - ya gotta feel it to believe it.

Outta this world wool.


More outta this world wool...

I think I've met this fabric before, and I'm still in love.

This says home dec in the most beautiful way...

You have to see this for yourself.

A digital print that is truly alive with color!


Two cottons at Rosen & Chadick, and one cotton print at Fabrics & Fabrics, and something that is just TO DIE FOR at NY Elegant I did not photograph (selfishly), because I want to get to them first!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Special Speakeasy request

Quick update! Survey results are in! I will report some of the information here, but the specific details will be shared with the participants. 

 Three of the participants provided email addresses which are not accepting mail. 

 If your email address includes the following combination of letters within your address, know that I cannot reach you directly: 

 "Wago" 
 "Deale"
 "Sioux" 


You may contact me directly to correct your email address, and I can include you in the more intimate discussion loop.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Today only - Start getting dressed!

Quick update:

There is a Fashion Expo today.  If you are seeking a new or better job in the industry, and you're in NYC right now, print out or upload your resume and go!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Thinking Spring... already?

Well, you can certainly fabric shop well in advance.  And if you plan to make things, you are actually planning your winter activities with Spring in mind!

So, click here to see what Spring will bring! And see the blog for expert analysis and artistic descriptions/explorations.

A darker combination of Glacier Gray, Aquamarine, and Scuba Blue were used in the waterfall dress I designed, before I knew this was "the thing".  Again, I find myself out of synch with the forecast, a few months too early!

My new inspiring colors are not part of the palette, though.  I'm feeling butter yellow (paler, yet sunnier than custard)...


 and electric blue (more intense than Scuba) these days!


Glad there's room in NYC's color palette for each person's own take!



Thursday, September 11, 2014

October 17 Speakeasy tour


*Reposting - reminder for all interested*

Another general shopping Speakeasy tour is scheduled for October 17, 2014.  This is by far, the time of year when most people are interested in doing a Speakeasy tour!  If asked, I/we will do custom tours before that date.

Itinerary below:

 A group reservation for lunch at 1PM will be made, and is optional for anyone who wishes to join (note the "with" or "without" lunch prices). If you decline lunch at this time, it is still your option to come along with us, but you will be responsible for your own lunch bill.

10AM - 1PM - 

Shopping (will include several very special fabric and trimming stores with a wide variety of offerings suitable for many different purposes/types of garments.)

1PM-

Lunch!

2PM - until end of business day

Armed with your "Secret Map" and your own interest in or desire to visit the many other stores you see or have learned about, you may visit more garment district stores if you wish, and give unique codes (that you'll get from me) to vendors who will give special assistance/discounts.
The cost of this guided, efficient tour is $80 per person with lunch (yes, there has been a slight price increase - lunch is a bit pricier that it was 2 years ago!), or $60 without lunch. If you use this trip to shop and participate in what NYC has to offer, you will save and learn at least as much as you are paying.  bring your patterns, ideas and plans along for advice and opinions!

Wanna come? Click here, send payment, and the details on meeting time/place will be provided.  Payment is only accepted via PayPal (you do not need a Paypal account), credit or debit card. No cash, personal checks, or additional payments will be accepted on the day of the tour. The trip will involve a good amount of walking, so come prepared, and healthy.