Archive for January, 2008
New Nelle Wedding bags are here!
Sunday, January 20th, 2008
Using simple and sublime detail the new Nelle 2008 Wedding Collections’ statement making pieces blend seamlessly with any brides color palette. Inspired by the stark yet beautiful Minnesota winters, I used hand dyed silk charmeuse in shades of cream, white, brown, coral and black. Ombre’ ribbon and vintage brooches compliment the silk charmeuse to create the perfect accessory for a brides special day.
My new bridal collection will be available for order within the week. Please keep in mind when ordering that brooch styles will vary from bag to bag as all brooches are one of a kind or in limited supply. Brooches are subject to change, however they will be the same size as brooches represented in the product samples and will be made up of clear rhinestones and metal.
Fall head-over-heels for these cherubic wedding clutches
Sunday, January 13th, 2008
Over the weekend I whipped up a slew of these little bundles of joy. I started by dying plain silk charmeuse with a non-toxic dye and vinegar solution. Than created the pattern for the new clutch and started sewing. These clutches were a joy to make and the ombre and grosgrain ribbon detail turned out just lovely. I am head over heels for these little guys and know that they will make a perfect accessory for the fashionable bride. I think I will call these new little clutches cherubs because they are cute, compact, and have a number of “rolls”. More to come throughout the week. Cherub clutches will be available for order on-line beginning Monday, January 21.
Mpls. St. Paul Magazine gives a wink to Nelle Wedding
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
The Fashion Designers Survival Guide & Craft INC. - A Review
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
Knowledge is power and when it comes to operating your own small business it can save you time and money. 2 books that I would recommend to any small business owner who is producing goods to be sold in the “luxury” market are The Fashion Designers Survival Guide & Craft INC. Both books dig right into the nitty gritty details like order fulfillment, industry standards and product distribution as wells as marketing and the importance of PR. The FDSG is a step by step manual filled with sample forms and warnings of wholesaling in a take no prisoners industry. I have read this book twice now and each time I have a hard time putting it down. Newbies to the design world receive practical strategies and advice from both big names and newcomers. The result is a ‘must’ for any aspiring fashion designer: packed with strategy, insights, and even checklists for success.
Craft, INC. a recent holiday gift, was a quick read. It was less intimidating than The FDSG, but still packed with a great deal of knowledge and a variety of different tips that the FDSG did not have. What I found particularly interesting were the interviews with some of today’s independent design superstars like Jonathan Adler, Lotta Jansdotter, Variegated INC., and Port2Press. Another bonus, the book design is absolutely scrumptious and the paper that it was printed on is smooth to the touch and delightful to hold.
Both books are on my must read list for any aspiring designer or small business owner. I have to admit that I was a bit exhausted from downloading all of the information in each book, so be ready to take out your notebook to start designing your mater plan.