by Mo on May 5, 2009
Don’t you want to know more about Nolcha and what this Fashion – Business – Network is all about? We have been posting Nolcha opportunities here in the Smashing Blog to entice you to jump in and see how Nolcha can help you and your business. Some of you have done just that…congrats go out to Kimberly Hendrix, we’ll be seeing her designs hit the Nolcha runway this Fall during New York Fashion Week and we can’t wait! In the meantime, get to know Nolcha better below.
Darlings: Give us the skinny on “Nolcha,” and the meaning behind it.
Kerry: Nolcha provides business resources to the emerging fashion market in a professional and sophisticated manner. Although our resources and opportunities are cost effective for the emerging and independent fashion designer, this does not reflect in our events, materials or programs. We are aiming to be the one-stop destination for new fashion designers and retailers to grow their brand whether through promotion, marketing, sales and business connections. Networking is key to Nolcha. It has got us where we are today and we encourage all members and associates to do the same. Nolcha means sun in the sky in Native American. This is not why we chose the name, but you could say we are the enlightenment of the emerging fashion market (grin). On a serious note we chose a unique name that allowed us to create our own brand association and mantra.
Darlings: Where did the inspiration come from to start Nolcha, and how did the project come together?
Kerry: My background is in business communications, marketing and events. I moved to NYC from UK after college and quickly learned that there is a huge gap in the fashion industry for those starting out – they need business advice and support. I provided consultancy to brands but knew there was a larger demand and decided to grow an online network. I met Arthur Mandel, current President and Co-Founder of Nolcha, and we have grown Nolcha to what it is today.
Darlings: When was the first fashion show produced?
Kerry: It feels like many years go, but the soft launch of Nolcha was September 2007 at the Maritime Hotel in New York City. We did fashion shows for new designers in New York, London, LA, and Miami. Looking back it was a rather courageous thing to do with only enough money for our plane tickets, staff and solid relationships in these fashion cities!
Darlings: What is the most important thing you learned from doing that first show?
Kerry: Plan ahead, protect yourself with contracts and always be ready for the unprepared.
Darlings: What’s the criteria for a designer to be considered for a Nolcha fashion show?
Kerry: We are looking for designers that are bringing something new to the marketplace. A fresh eye with a strong business plan and a willingness to succeed. If they have the basics implemented we can do the rest but the designer needs to be ready to produce and sell once Nolcha Fashion Week is completed. An oooh factor from the crowd is always something we look for as well. Will the garment be show-stopping in a good way? Good cut, good drape, and great fabric choice is also very important. There are a lot of young designers that produce 20-30 looks with cheap fabric when they should be producing 15 with finer materials
Darlings: You recently opened your first retail space, will the designers change from time to time? If yes, who should designers contact to be considered?
Kerry: Yes, the designers can rotate every six months however the original eleven have first right of refusal. Designers should contact retail@nolcha.com.
Darlings: You are launching a new online resource, can you tell us a little bit about it and how you see it being used?
Kerry: The online retail portion is how we keep ahead of the trends before they even happen. We like to think of ourselves as trend makers, so if a piece by one of our designers makes it on a celebrity or in a magazine we can post it online for sale before anyone else can, giving our loyal clients the first pick. It is a new evolution in “get it while it’s hot” almost a “pre-press” instead of “hot off the press”. In the in between time we will have bi-weekly features of products that adhere to the current trends seen in the likes of the major fashion magazines chosen by some of NYC’s top stylists just to keep consumers ahead of the pack. All items will be available only for a limited time.
by trish on January 27, 2009
We think all of the Darlings are fabulous, but Kimberly Hendrix is the only Hello Fabulous. After many years as a vintage collector, Kimberly Hendrix decided to move her passion for one of a kind couture clothing forward and began not only collecting and reworking vintage pieces, but creating completely original designs while still working with recycled materials. In January 2008 the dedicated line hello, fabulous by k. hendrix was developed and immediately began appearing on fashion forward celebrities like Courtney Love and Juliet Lewis. We are thrilled to learn that we will get to see her present her first fashion show in September 2009 in New York. Take a moment to join her Facebook group, and get to know her a bit better below…
Darlings: When did your love of vintage clothing begin?
Kimberly: I have been vintage obsessed ever since I was old enough to dress myself. I loved looking through photos of my mother growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. My true appreciation for vintage style started as soon as I could drive myself to thrift stores to shop, rather than going to the local mall with my siblings.
Darlings: Where and how did you first start your business?
Kimberly: My vintage business really started by accident. I was working as a store designer for one of those big chain clothing stores and I had collected so many fabulous vintage items over the years. In 2001 a friend suggested that I start my own online business. That business grew and in 2007 I began creating my own clothing influenced by all my vintage pieces.
Darlings: Without giving away your secrets, where do you find most of the pieces?
Kimberly: The most wonderful vintage pieces used to be found almost anywhere, but these days everyone loves vintage and finding that perfect nugget has become very difficult. Most of my pristine vintage pieces come from estates or my own collection. Lately I tend to find pieces that may not be usable as is, but have the potential to be something beautiful with work. I love making something stunning out of something someone has cast off as worthless.
Darlings: With vintage, quality is a big issue, what is your standard? How do you decide which pieces actually make the selling floor in your store?
Kimberly: If I list an item in my vintage store it must be in perfect or close to perfect condition. Always wearable. Anything that falls below that standard goes into my “something to be created” back stock.
Darlings: Do you find a way to rework the pieces that are less than perfect?
Kimberly: Reworked and recycled pieces have really become the staple of my business. I love the earth friendly aspect of these new designs. Sometimes a piece like a beautiful wool coat just needs new silk lining to modernize it. Sometimes the final piece is completely unrecognizable. I do a lot of dying and hand sewing to make each piece into something brand new.
Darlings: What does your average day entail?
Kimberly: My days are very dedicated to my business and my nights are dedicated to my family. I try very hard to get everything on the business side accomplished early on and then focus on sewing as much as possible. It is a very meditative activity for me and it is my favorite part of what I do. Sometimes, like it or not, I am sewing into the wee hours of the night.
Darlings: Describe your personal style.
Kimberly: Typically my personal style is one of contrasts. It is a mix of modern and vintage and a mix of casual and glamour. I love a great pair of jeans with a simple white tank top accented by vintage jewelry and killer boots. I often wear my own beaded pieces during the day to add some sparkle. Being 6 months pregnant doesn’t make it easy, but I am making it work.
Darlings: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Kimberly: Of course I love modern designers like Marc Jacobs and I am a huge fan of legends such as Vionnet, but I must say I think it is more the people I see everyday that influence my personal style. Anyone who takes a chance and lives outside the box, unafraid to express themselves; It is these people that bring out the best in me as well.
Darlings: Do you have any current fashion obsession?
Kimberly: I always have new fashion obsessions. Right now I am obsessed with skinny jeans and boots because I cannot wear them. Instead I am trying to find anything that can make a pregnant woman still look cool.
Darlings: What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?
Kimberly: Anyone starting their own vintage shop needs to do a lot of research. You need to know what to recognize as quality. Read lots of books on vintage clothing, browse lots of online vintage stores. See what is selling and find what appeals to you. If you truly love vintage it is easy to become a collector, the hard part is letting pieces go.
Darlings: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
Kimberly: Believe it or not, thanks to the fabulous Smashing Darling staff, I applied to show my own collection in New York for Nolcha Fashion week and I was selected to showcase in September 2009. I have collaborated with other designers for fashion week before, but this will be my very first show. I am very excited and I know it will be a lot of hard work, especially with a new baby due this April. Luckily I love the pressure.
Darlings: Where else do you sell your vintage pieces besides Smashing Darling?
Kimberly: I do have my own online shop, www.hellofabulous.com. I carry some vintage pieces, but mostly I focus the site on my own line k. hendrix. I just began selling my own collection in various boutiques on the west coast this spring 2009 season.
Darlings: Do you have a question or a comment for anyone on Smashing Darling?
Kimberly: I love every single designer on Smashing Darling. I cruise the boutiques and I am so inspired by each of them. Since the very beginning I have been obsessed with Naik Fur. Her pieces are works of art and I would love every item of hers in my closet.
