Last Sunday I scooted over to ICO Gallery to catch the NOW Showcase Cocktail Reception, and I am so glad I did. In their own words, the collections together are an intoxicating assortment of independent and sustainable fashion. It was simply lovely to stroll around and meet some of the designers and see their upcoming collections, though my cohort and I really wished we could have bought a few of the samples right off the racks. NOW Showcase was born through a bunch of designers coming together, according to one: they have each others’ backs (love it), according to another: a showcase by designers for designers. Their collaborative spirit was palpable in the room that night.  Darlings, are you connecting with local designers in your area? Maybe you can create a showcase of your very own…pop us an email if you would like a list of Darling designers near you.

The Pittsburgh gals of Kelly Lane

Love for Jai

Darling Roxi shows us a few of the many ways to rock your Angelrox

It’s a skirt, it’s a strapless dress…

p.s. I bought this dress that night and I love it!

I know TrishDarling would have stopped and ooooh-ed with me at these sparkly items, so this one’s for her.

Shelter Studios Location for the Garage Sale Fundraising Event

Preview sale and silent auction- Friday, June 26
suggested donation $10
6-10pm
Join us for wine and small bites and get the first look at what we’ve been gathering the last few weeks.  We have a fun and stylish mix of clothes and accessories, housewares and books, sewing supplies (including a dress form), beads and jewelry making supplies, beauty products and a few surprises! Wardrobe stylist Noell Romatowski will be on hand to offer her expertise as you shop. Be sure to place a bid or three on some of the silent auction items as well.  Some of the items include Guthrie tickets, items from local designers such as George Moskal, Ruby3 and Frances Zerr, photo sessions, and a lovely pair of Christian Louboutin shoes.

Sale Day- Saturday, June 27
8am-4pm

Location: Shelter Studios 2112 Broadway Street NE-Suite 150  Minneapolis, MN 55413
www.shelter-studios.com

We are still accepting donations for the sale and silent auction~ please contact annalee@mnfashion.org to coordinate a drop off.

MNfashion is dedicated to providing resources and professional development allowing designers to establish a sustainable livelihood in Minnesota. In doing this, we foster community and create a thriving, sustainable local fashion industry.

MNfashion main programs include Spring/Fall MNfashion Week and Voltage: Fashion Amplified

www.mnfashion.org
www.mnfashionweek.com
www.voltagefashionamplified.com

Funk n’ Trunk – Presented by Nicole Presents

Independent Designer Trunk Show
Funky fashions, eats & beats!

Sat June 27, 2009
2pm – 7pm

20 Independent Designers
+
Luxe Accoutrements

Adornments by Daria
Music by DJ4Life (dj4life.org)
Massage
Full Bar and Champagne Specials!
Delicious Tapas Style Bites

Triple Crown   1760 Market Street, SF

No Cover.

Ashley Morgan Designs  http://www.ashleymorgandesigns.com
Dana Levitt Designs http://www.danalevittdesigns.com
Lucid Dawn http://www.lucidawn.com
Sea Pony  http://www.myspace.com/fati_ma
Gerlareh Design  http://www.gelareh.us
ARARA  http://www.ararasf.com
Hip * Stirr Belts  http://www.hipstirrbelts.com
Threads by Cho-Cho  http://www.threadsbycho-cho.com
Alkemy Designs http://www.goddessalchemyproject.com
Sharp Shooter Couture
Chanteuse Lingerie  http://www.chanteuselingerie.com
Allison Leigh Apparel  http://virb.com/allisonleigh
Tamo Design  http://www.tamodesign.com
Silver Lucy Design http://www.silverlucy.com
S&G Clothing http://www.sandgclothing.com
Miranda Caroligne  http://www.mirandacaroligne.com
Semevan Bags http://www.funkyurbantraveler.com
MODA Sandrita http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=2001302&id=1526743111&op=12

The Arsenal presents….

The Williamsburg Indie Designer Soiree, open to the public and located in the heart of Williamsburg. The weekend is a lucrative opportunity for designers to sell, mix and mingle and to provide their brand with a Brooklyn presence.

Designer Package 1
Date: July 18th or July 19th
Time: 9:30am-7pm
Booth includes: 2 rolling racks, 1 chair, 1 table
Price: $250.00

Designer Package 2
Date: July 18th and July 19th
Time: 9:30am-7pm
Booth includes: 2 rolling racks, 1 chair, 1 table
Price: $400.00

All packages include online & print advertising promotion and advertising from the Williamsburg Indie Designer Soiree.

Designer space is limited each day to 15 vendors

See the event page on facebook 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.

For vendor registration for both Mulberry and Hudson Street markets

visit The Market NYC.

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