Stay tuned...

I will be blogging about the Artisanal Speakeasy shortly after I complete and recover from today's events! Yesterday was a blast, educational, creatively inspiring, and exhausting!

At what cost?

Maybe it's because I'm getting older.  Maybe it's because I live in New York City.  But, as I walk through our many shopping districts, I am just BOMBARDED by products. Clothes, bags, shoes - in a seemingly endless supply. Sure, there are things that are cute, classic, artsy, interesting... but the sheer quantity of stuff sometimes just makes me feel overwhelmed.

Despite this constant barrage of stuff, when I design, make and wear an item, I am usually asked, "Where did you get that?" by strangers and friends alike.  And because I enjoy it, it really doesn't cost me any more than the supplies and time I've happily chosen to dedicate. I am now more sure than ever that I don't need ANOTHER piece of store bought clothing at this time in my life.  My closets are full, and my stash is ample. 

Even picking something up because it's "cheap" has a cost. And, depending on the item, that cost could be more than monetary.

Men of the Cloth screening in NYC on May 20th

You can get your tickets (or the DVD and other merch) by clicking here.

Overheard in the Garment District

Yesterday, I was in a store I have mentioned here on the blog a few times.  A fun store, historically tightly packed with goods, but yesterday, noticeably lighter, roomier, more navigable...

I overheard a long conversation the owner was having with a business patron, but this was only overheard, so I have no permission to share it here...

I contemplated a piece of leather for a bit, priced higher than a finished bag made of the same quality leather would cost, and changed my mind. I would buy the leather if reasonably priced, of course, but I am unwilling to also donate to the rent fund.

The district is definitely pushing these small stores out.  These businesses can't afford the rents anymore, and the landlords won't bend.  They can't afford to move elsewhere, because there are no better deals in places they hope to find customers. It's business, of course, and sad... but true. For this particular business, it sounds like they are reaching the end of their run, as no further negotiations will be entertained by their landlord.

As I eavesdropped on a conversation between the owner and the professional designer customer (who works from his home studio after being pushed out of an industrial space due to rising rents), I heard some real specifics about how the landlords are absolutely unwilling to entertain any consideration for the length of time they have been good tenants, occupying the same spot, etc. I have to say, though, I get it.  There is no incentive for the landlords to allow them to stay, when so many people with deeper pockets are clamoring for those spots. It hurts, but it's true.

How is this showing up in the fabric stores?  For those at street level, far more mediocre goods at higher prices, stores going out of business, and pushier sales staff. The pluckier business owners it seems, can make a good run after moving "up" in the buildings. There are rent affordability challenges on every level, though. Yes, they lose foot traffic, but then, many of my favorite places aren't at street level.

So here's the good news.  The best places are still knocking it outta the park with what they have to offer.  It just seems that only the strongest will survive in this environment, and what we get as customers is fantastic quality goods from the places who really know how to bring the best quality to us.

Yesterday in the Garment District - Butterfly Fabrics (A+ on customer service)

This lace...

Let's start with the eye candy. You may not be able to appreciate it from this photo, but this is a very heavy, drapey lace, that would make a great sweatshirt or hoodie.  (Of course, I'd wear a flesh-toned tank top underneath).

Yes, you heard me correctly...  

It just calls out to be a hoodie, and to work with white denim pants or shorts.  To quote Bruno Mars, "Don't believe me?  Just watch!"

Changes are afoot in the garment district, to be sure.  It seems that the district is losing its taste for the messy, casual Mom-and-Pop style stores that we love, and has pushed many of them to upgrade, or risk sleeker establishments taking their place.  Is this a good thing?  Jury's still out on that one for me...

The fabric pictured above, I spotted at Butterfly Fabrics, which is now a very organized, neat arrangement of interesting and eclectic fabrics. Bargains are few, and the prices are generally affordable, but you are less inclined to simply snatch something up, unless you have extra cash burning a hole in your pocket.  The service is patient and professional.  Other fabrics I found there are below.

Silk patchwork.  Cool for home dec, or maybe a coat lining???

This is just the coolest silk fabric ever.  You'd have to see it in person to fully appreciate it.

I am noticing now that the more sophisticated appearance of the stores are making customers more inclined to ask for specific help beyond what you would normally ask a fabric store to do.  A woman entered the Butterfly while I was there, bellowing from the doorway, "Turquoise lining!" (and not in a nice way)

Did they help her?  Yes, and guided her through appropriate choices for her project. Frankly, I was impressed.

Another woman came in and said she was making a kimono for a man, and asked how many yards to buy.  Rather than just announcing some large quantity, the staffer patiently asked, "Well, how tall is he?"

Nice work, Butterfly...

Butterfly Fabrics

237 West 35th Street

212-768-3940

Clothes are more than just fabric... they are communication...

We are always changing and evolving.  Our tastes and needs are always changing and evolving, too.

Lately, I've been getting requests from people who are looking for all different kinds of things.  They want fabric to dance in, to decorate something, for certain kinds of parties... I think people are looking for feelings, more than "definitions" of fabric types.  So, what i end up doing, if pointing them at stores they might like to look.  And I try to give a few choices in different price ranges, so they can determine for themselves which is best for their needs.  The stores all have different personalities.  Some stores are really tough to shop if you cannot name what you are looking for.

So today, I offer food for thought.  If you are like me, clothing is a way to express yourself, to communicate, to enhance your appearance and personal expression, to dance to beat of your own drummer!  Old or young, spry, feeble, or graceful, you can create what agrees with what you (or the intended user) want to wear/carry/have.  After all, isn't that the beauty of being able to create? 

Oh, and what a thrill it must be to have your own husband design for you (see video below)! For a beautiful fabric like the kind her dress is made of, I would look at Elliott Berman, Rosen & Chadick, NY Elegant, or Metro Textiles.

Now for a completely different take on a unique way of dressing...

Note: The following video takes you to some touchy subjects, depending on your point of view, so be forewarned if you aren't comfortable with issues surrounding an honest account of a human being's discoveries and introspective questioning surrounding her own sexuality and appearance.

Having said that, will you take a moment to appreciate the wild patchwork of fabric that makes up her ensemble? To mimic this in any way at all, I would go to Spandex House for the pants fabric, NY Elegant for the shirt fabric, someplace like Chic Fabrics for the main jacket fabric, and someplace like Paron or TruMart for the scarf fabric.



And then, although this is the outfit of my dreams (below), I'd need the attitude, legs and courage to wear it... but then I'd have nowhere to go in it. 

Sigh...

The chainmail, if you're thinking about it for yourself,  can be found at B&J Fabrics, though, and then, of course, used in countless other ways...

Any of the stores mentioned above can be found on the where to shop list here.

Did the tailor sneak out of the garment district?

**Update: The answer, thank you to Rosen & Chadick, who can see the action from their own front window... is that the statue is on a 4 month "vacation" while some work is being done in the area.  Our worker will be back!

The Judith Weller statue, "The Garment Worker"

Unable to find an answer to this question, I pose it to you, my dear readers...

A friend sent me these pictures this weekend... Who took our beloved tailor?