by Mo on August 17, 2010
What’s Going On
Are you shopping for Fall? We can’t bear to give up the summer vibe around here at Darling headquarters. Enjoy these long days flitting around in your summer favorites as long as you can! Sure, maybe you (or your kids) have to get back to school soon..but summer is sticking around for another month. Soak it up darlings! Scan this newsletter for some darling summery sale items, as well as pieces that can transition you into Fall. Don’t forget, you earn store credit with every purchase you make!
Project Runway Darling
Does inspiration strike every time you catch a glimpse of Project Runway? Do you ever think maybe you want to play along and try and whip up a creation of your own? We say go for it!
Darling Fashion Everywhere
Summer is just non-stop goodness. We love seeing creative darlings in communities around the country collaborating and supporting each other. Events like Lovestruck in San Diego, museums supporting designers creating wearable art in Austin and Denver, and indie shopping events in all shapes and sizes everywhere!
Summer will come to an end, but all of this creativity goes on and on.
Smashing Kudos and tidbits
One last tidbit, don’t forget to save the date, Maker Faire hits NYC for the first time this September 25th and 26th!
by Mo on July 27, 2010
Summer and Such
Mid-summer stretch Darlings! What’s happening? Getting ready for fall? Selling out at many a summer market?…all of the above? Don’t forget to send us your events (trishandjulie@smashingdarling.com) so we can help spread the word! We love seeing the number of Darling designers click higher and higher, so take a look around and help us welcome the newcomers. Who knows maybe you’ll end up doing a bit of shopping yourself!
Speaking of which, we’re curious about how much time you and your customers have to be social, and how much time you all have to shop. Please take a quick moment and let us know your thoughts.
Amanda Archer, San Francisco
New Features
We definitely think it is important to take a break to relax and regroup every now and again. Now it’s easier to let your customers know you are away. Log into your Darling account and you’ll see a new tab where you can set your vacation mode when you decide to dissappear: easy-peasy!
Ready to clear out some inventory? Now shoppers can see the dollars they will save when shopping in the Sale tab of your boutique. Both the original price and the sale price will be listed. Go re-list your sale items for the new feature to kick in!
Opportunity Knocks
Tell me something good…do something good. Donate product to this auction hosted by a darling friend, Robin Zingone. Every month the charity will change to give help and hope to those in need.
Learn, network, promote…
San Francisco: If your outreach and PR efforts need a little sprucing up Market U is for you.
NYC: Go get your Sales! on with Nolcha (this week!).
LA: The Fashion Business Inc. is looking for the next designer to showcase their collection at the Focus Tradeshow, read more.
Independence is Darling
We like to read about indie fashion goodness all around the blogosphere…but we like to see how you show off your Smashing Darling in real life — come join us in our Flickr group!
Want to show everyone your favorite new idea or sewing project? Try out BurdaStyle, TrishDarling shares a frock here. Who is TrishDarling anyway?? Read all about her over at Madison Buyer.
Happy Summer!
cheers ~ the Darlings
(tell your friends darlings!)
by Mo on April 22, 2010
What Do You Think?
Dear Darlings … What kind of a designer do you consider yourself to be? Do you design first and then consider your business model…or does your business model inform your decisions on what you create?
Questions, questions. We have lots of them, and would love to capture your thoughts. What is your long term goal as a fashion designer? Please head on over to the Darling blog to read the conversation so far; comment and let us know where you are at. Your words could be exactly the support a fellow designer needs to hear. Read more…
Ena Daro Couture, $350
Photo Tips, from the Archives
The Darling community grows by the day, it’s a beautiful thing. But we realize some of our newcomers may have missed some informational posts. Wondering how your images end up in the Featured Items tab on the homepage? Start with great images, read more here.
While you are at it, check out this guest post from our friend and photographer Kevan Christine, click here for: Advice from a Photographer.
Don’t have time to upload new items to your store? We are happy to help, email Mo (mo@smashingdarling.com) for rates on Photo Uploads, and we are discounting the first round!
Erika Hendrix, $98
Shared Resources
We believe in sharing resources around here. We hope you do too, it feels good. Here is a Portland, OR spot we found that makes us giddy: The Portland Garment Factory. Lovely! A few gals who have your back to help with all the details of developing your collection; from pattern-drafting all the way to showroom sales. That is just darling.
Click here and give them a thumbs up on Facebook.
Are there any businesses doing local manufacturing near you? We definitely want to know about any places in your community that are a resource to independent designers. Go ahead and send them our way!
inHarmony, $90
Darlings Everywhere
Get out there and support fellow Darlings! Here are a few things to get you started, otherwise keep your eye on the blog or send us what’s happening near you…
NYC: Brooklyn Royalty call for designers, Papusza Couture at House of Yes, Samoy Lenko at Trunk.
West Coast: Stacie May @ Project Ethos, San Diego. House of Versatile Styles at Seattle Fashion Week.
Chicago: Chicago Sun Times love for the Chicago Fashion Incubator… find them here.
Miami: Krelwear Quickie Couture coming up at the StyleLab, Stich-n-Bitch with them at the Standard on Monday nights.
cheers! – the Darlings
p.s. Have you told your people join our monthly Facebook giveaway yet? Just give us a thumbs up to join…
by Mo on April 15, 2010
What’s Going On?
Are you crazy for Project Runway? Do you know anyone who has been on the show, or auditioned? Do tell us all about it! The Runway crew is out their searching for Season 8 designers, if you know any who would fit the bill, send them here.
If you would rather spend your time shopping unique designer creations, you came to the right place. Bonus: Our new Frequent Shopper program is sure to keep you coming back for more. Hold tight, details are just around the bend.
Defining Independent Fashion
There are so many levels of passionate fashion designers out there. Some are happy to sell to you right in your neighborhood, others long to hit runways worldwide. We’re chatting about defining all the layers in the blog, read more here. Let us know what you think.
Smashing Kudos and tidbits
We tend to think of indie fashion as the invisible slip under the mass-marketed-uniform of the fashion industry. Maybe that is a bit dramatic … Regardless, we just want you all to find the joy in being your unique self. Whether you need a video to show you or not…indie designers are here to help you do just that. Show off your personal style!
Vim Trousseau, $75, Made in LA
cheers ~ the Darlings!
