We met the fabulous Samantha Pleet back in September at the Yesterday’s News eco-fashion event in NYC. Last week we saw some familiar landscape images rolling before our eyes as Samantha uploaded photos from her recent trip to Iceland. We oooh-ed and ahhh-ed over these beautiful captures of her moments in that magical land of fire and ice – so inspiring. We know you are all out there working hard, so we wanted to make sure you also had a moment of inspiration. Samantha graciously agreed to share with us her photos, as well as her top five tidbits of advice on life as an independent fashion designer. Please feel free to comment and share any of your own mantras with us as well.

1. Be an individual.  Its important to do your own thing so you will stick out from other designers.

2. Start small with an edited collection you don’t want to overwhelm the buyers.

3. Work really hard, if you are planning on starting your own line you should know that it will consume every aspect of your life.

4. Make sure you have ways to relax, take the time to do things like yoga, gardening, or cooking healthy foods.

5. Surround yourself with creative people such as photographers, stylist, artists and musicians you feel inspired by.

Melissa May was one of the designers who took part in the Denver Style Wars last week. We stumbled upon her blog and she agreed to let us re-post her thoughts on funding her collection. We think this is such an important conversation. We know there are many organizations out there supporting independent designers these days and we love it. However, it is still a personal process to sort out where you want to fit in as a designer, as a business. Posts like this one below, as well as conversations with independent designers, are part of the beauty in buying from a local designer. When you buy a piece from them, you really get to feel, and remember each time you wear that piece, that you are supporting their passion. More links to independent designers blogs can be found to your right, in our blogroll. (p.s. and we love her tagline: It’s Not Just a Phase!)

Fund Vs. Ambition (www.incroyablesbymelissamay.blogspot.com)

Sometimes the funds don’t match the ambition. It’s a sad but true story for many and is a constant struggle for me. You won’t find anyone more dedicated than me, but you can not always tell this because I can’t afford to do as much as I would like. I’d love to create 2-5 collections a year made of the exact fabric I have in mind (beautiful silks, satins, wools, high quality cottons, etc.), I’d love to be able to create my own textiles, I’d love to be able to be a real, serious designer who does trade shows and wholesale orders. But right now I do realize that I may not seem like a “serious” designer to many because I make NO money and therefore have a difficult time funding my various projects. What many do not realize is that whenever I do a collection or a show, it is 100% self funded, usually money saved from my day job. To save that money I rarely go out, almost never eat out, and rarely purchase new clothing for myself. I was raised in a poor family so I am used to having no money, but when you are trying to do projects, it gets rather difficult.

An unfortunate thing about any business, specifically fashion is that the successful people usually come from a rich background, so they have the funds to go bigger, faster. This was not true, “back in the day” when it seemed to be mostly about talent and dedication, but in today’s market, there are SOOOOOOOOOO many people trying to get into the fashion world that it has become much more difficult to move forward without already having a name or a lot of money. Hence, the celebrity designer. Even locally, I have found that usually the more “successful” designers are not necessarily more talented, but have more money to play around with.

So of course, the question is “Why not just take out a loan?” I absolutely plan on doing this, but not until I think I can get enough business to be able to start paying it back. If I was to take out a loan in this economy and current state of mind about fashion, I would just get behind in payments and really screw things up for myself. So right now I am just working on getting my name out, building up a better portfolio, and hopefully getting custom orders. I also want to get some small wholesale orders. I hate starting small because I have such big dreams, but I’m trying to be realistic rather than living in an optimistic delusion.

So what is the reason for this blog? I am asking any reader who may be interested in my work to help me raise funds for my next collection by purchasing some clothing or hair accessories from me. I have INSANELY low priced dresses at YesPleaseMore PopUp Boutique and the Mod Livin PopUp Boutique. I also have custom orders available on www.lissabean.etsy.com or through me. More interested in accessories? I also have hair accessories available at www.birdsnestaccessories.etsy.com, the two pop up boutiques, as well as several stores/salons around town. All purchases will go towards my next collection. Help me share my vision with Denver and get some great pieces while you are at it!

Thank you for reading!

This interview makes me happy. All of you darling designers make us happy. Thank you for keeping us inspired to stay on our path, follow our dream. Anjia Jalac has been on the site for some time. She was one of the first crew to respond to a question we shouted out to the community, she was listening – that keeps us going (hint). We met her at our first Darling Soiree last June (there will be more, promise)…and now we can all get to know her a bit better in the interview below. The best part – she shared a sneak peek at some of her new designs about to land in her (delicious) Darling boutique … love and cupcakes for all!

Cheers to the fun-loving, show-stopping fabulous dame, who wears what she pleases, whenever, wherever, and with whomever she sees fit.  Where wardrobe is one fierce accomplice to her ever changing, sassy sense of style.  Something different- sometimes delicate, carefully hand crafted, guaranteed original, and hardly ever bland.  Some inspired by time periods, some by textures, some by people.  Built from recycled vintage, found fabrics, reworked textiles and some good ‘ol fashion lovin’, of course.  Guaranteed fresh from Brooklyn, NY.
love, anjia

Darlings: Where are you from originally, and how did you get into fashion?
Anjia: I grew up in Marinduque, Philippines!  When I couldn’t spend the day outside, because of rain or a fever, I would doodle girls in different outfits.  I guess that became a bit of a love affair.  Nothing else came along that interested me more than making clothes…

Cupckake Skirts – coming soon

Darlings: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Anjia: A little over 3 years ago.  Before that, I was making clothes here and there for friends, myself and family.

Darlings: If your studio walls could talk, what would they say?
Anjia: Hmm. Well, the time I spend at my studio has fluctuated on a roller coaster scale: a few obsessive over-nighters in a row, then there’s an absence on my part.  Inspiration comes in bursts.  I think my studio would prefer a little more consistency in the relationship, and would say so, if she could. I definitely agree. We’re working it out. =)

Darlings: What inspires your designs?
Anjia: Friends and lovers, live and inanimate.  Vintage science fiction, space creatures, desserts with frosting, reptile parts, insects, found objects, indigenous people, functionality, recycling, old technology and machinery, my sister, natural textures, Tom Waits.

Darlings: You are also a freelance costume designer, tell us all about it! Any favorite costumes, and what for?
Anjia: It’s fun!  I’ve had the lovely opportunity to work with Bill T. Jones, making costumes for some of his modern dance pieces and it’s been a great experience.  Doing research for a specific costume project sometimes carries over to my collection and definitely adds to the design process.  I’ll run into inspiration that I may not have ever come across if it wasn’t for the certain project.  As far as favorites, I have a couple.  But if I had to pick the most fun, I think it would be for the British Columbia Milk Ad campaign.  Those were the teeny tiniest costumes I’ve ever built.  It reminded me of when I was kid, trying to make costumes for my dolls- fun!

Darlings: How do you market yourself and your label?
Anjia: It’s a clothing line made of, and with, love.  I try to carry that through, from conception to presentation.

Darlings: What is a day in the life of Anjia like?
Anjia: ummm. ..It varies from day to day

Bearded Lady, $190

Darlings: Is there anything that drives you crazy about the fashion industry?
Anjia: Nothing that’s been enough to keep me away. =)

Darlings: Who are your fashion icons? Do you think they influence your personal style?
Anjia: My personal style is very mix and match.  I can’t really peg it on any one icon.  I’m a big fan of the functionality in the clothing of tribal cultures mixed with the feminine lifestyles of past eras and the silhouettes of sassy vintage science fiction pin-ups.

Dragoness Tunic, $150

Darlings: Do you have any events that you are getting ready for in the near future?
Anjia: I’m brewing up a couple of events for the summer.  I’ll be posting updates soon at www.loveanjia.tumblr.com!

I really need to get myself over to House of Organic, and soon. TrishDarling and I caught their show, part of the Green Shows, during Fashion Week in NYC a few weeks ago. The live music groove set the mood perfectly as we walked in the door. Though this show was a collective of many designers, the aesthetic was consistent and strong. Graceful shapes, beautiful raw fabrics and intricate crochet details made us both, texture obsessed, want to jump for joy. Oh, and then there were the accessories – lovely. See for yourself below, and learn all about House of Organic here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out the lovely Bob Bland dishing with Derek Loves Shopping. In this video they talk about how this interview came to be. We think this is an important part of the story to share. It is good to hear how independent designers are getting their press. They talk about how Bob is very much into product development. She is developing some pretty cool fabrics. Emerging designers don’t usually think in terms of product development. They stick closer to the design development. It is great to learn there are smaller companies out there willing to develop fabrics or other products along with a smaller design houses for their lines. Last she ends with a great sum up of what she does… Bob you get an A+ for being able to sum up your brand in 2 words… Streetwear Atelier.

You can find Bob at Brooklyn Royalty and she is also one of our fabulous darling designers here with Smashing Darling click here to see her boutique.

We think this is a great opportunity to be featured and to support a good cause.

During the month of September 2009 SheFinds will run a promotion with Count Me In to raise money for the organization and help boutique designers get the word out about their designs.

During that time we will feature women’s accessories, apparel, and beauty items from independent designers who have created an original piece that incorporates either the motto “Believe In You”, the Count Me In logo, and/or the official Count Me In colors into the design.  The designer will need to pledge to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of that piece to Count Me In.
Please TELL other independent designers about this promotion too!

Click here for the Lowdown.

Count Me In Mission:
At Count Me In, we believe in YOU! Our mission is to promote economic independence and the growth of women owned businesses. Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow micro businesses to million dollar enterprises.

We have recently been looking around the website tidying up a bit. You know making sure items are listed in proper categories and what not. We came across this Katie Burley hat photographed on a women but listed in the men’s category. We were on the fence as to whether to email Katie or not to make sure the listing was deliberate. This is why, we think it would look amazing on Will.i.am. Below is a picture of Will.i.am and below that that a picture of Katie’s hat. If anyone out there knows Will.i.am, please pass the link on. It might make this milliner’s day to know Will.i.am is wearing one of her hats!

Just sayin’… but you be the judge. You can purchase this hat and others like it in the Katie Burley Couture Millinery boutique through Smashing Darling.

Aren’t you curious about how independent designers are getting press? Here designer Nancy Wells shares with us her experience of how she landed in a photo shoot for Plaztik Mag. To see the photos and read the interview click “Unemployed Heartbreakers.”

Trish: How did you get this press? Was it a connection to someone or did someone stumble upon your work somewhere and seek you out?

I think the more we share all of this info the better. We all benefit from hearing each others stories.

Nancy: This opportunity came through a friend of mine.  My friend Agatha is the PR Director of Betsey Johnson. She is friends with Mimi, who is the editor of Plaztik Mag.  Agatha forwarded me an email she had received from Mimi, which was a contest to find an “Unemployed Heartbreaker” to be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine. The email asked for several photos/headshots as well as the story behind how I lost my job.  I was also asked to explain what I’ve been doing since my layoff and what my future goals are.

I was emailed by Mimi herself about a week later congratulating me and asking me to meet for a photo shoot.  The article is written by me as well, it is actually taken directly from my original email to the editor. The magazine plans to feature a new girl each issue as their “Unemployed Heartbreaker” and promote that girl’s interests and goals for the future. I think that was one of the best parts of the feature….that they were not just interested in what you were doing before or that you’re jobless….but what you WANT to be doing.  For example, I think the girl in the next issue decided after she got laid off that she really wants to be a singer and record an album.

I’m not sure when the next issue of the magazine appears online. The issue I’m featured in is Issue #12.

I agree with you…..I am always so interested to know how people get press and publicity for their clothing lines. It’s very inspiring to the rest of us!

take care and talk to you soon! =)
- nancy

- Read last weeks press story: Chelsea Erhart Shares, No Rules, Fashion Editorial

Click here to view the embedded video.

Anna originally shared this with us and all her fans on facebook. We wanted to congratulate her and share another great independent fashion story with all of our community. Anna sells some of her pieces on Smashing Darling.

The program is part of the Mayor’s Fashion Initiative and it provides 6 emerging Chicago-based designers with an office space including computers and software; a workshop room with sample production space and a resource section; a showroom; a core curriculum of workshops and seminars; and mentoring from industry professionals to launch their careers in fashion.