Today we made the great trek up the big hill to a new trade show. To attend trade events is one of the BIG factors that separates our work from the dreaded"mommy mill" costumes. My assistants were trade show virgins and had never been to an event like this. While I have attended MANY, MANY, MANY international textile events in the past this was a new venue. We arrived and it was slightly drizzling outside, and when we parked the car ($12 later), I was immeadiatley disheartened to see attendees exciting the Hall. It was only 10:30, and the event had been opened for only and hour and a half, and yet, people were leaving the hall. This was an immeadiate bad omen for me.
After searching for 20 minutes for the entrance to the hall, I entered a rather small venue with under 100 vendors. Many were from overseas, and had higher end, couture type fabrics ( $200 per yard wholesale). Of my existing vendors, and after being in the trade for decades the list is quite comprhensive, I found only a hand full of my regular suppliers were exhibitors. Many times i have used couture fabrics for Company peices, but on our list for today were midrange products, and they were scarcely represented at the show. Actually, there was not much at the show at all, other than sublim contrators (had amazing conversations with them and their products were great).
The show was billed as full spectrum, indicating that it would feature service/prodcuts for the full spectrum of manufacturing., cutting, sewing, design, etc., I was dissapointed to find, no CAD, no machines, or contractors. I wondered if this is the new show, where are all of my vendors? I think I liked the old show better. I did find some great peices to order, but overall left, feeling sad. I realize that the economy is down and ususally there are normally no new product debuts duriing slow periods. R&D is done when the $$ i flowing, and the show represented that quite well.
The good news- We were able to source for Icicle costumes, a rebuild for this season, and the rat tutus. And I did order the patent leather lycra I needed for a project. But will i attend again? Idk... but this was a local show, and a better choice for me than Vegas. I dread the shows in Vegas, I really just don't get the hype about the town, it seems really over rated to me..
My Assistants had fun, we all learned alot about sublim services, and were happy with our orders. the goods will arrive next week, and we will start the rebuild on at least 2 costume groups.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Nutcracker 2009 week 1
Well, Its that time again...
Nutcracker cast lists are posted across the US and craziness has set in at ballet company costume workshops around the world. Actually, this year we are in really good shape. We have already fit half the cast in their pieces thanks to my amazing staff who are on the ball as usual.
There will be some new builds this year, a new set of rat tutus, and an old group of baby mice has resurfaced from an old build from about ten years ago. And they look in really good shape considering their age and the amount of use/abuse they have sustained in the past decade. Its hard to believe that the people who worn them when they were first built have graduated high school and are now in COLLEGE!!!! Again, i can not stress that building costumes to full theatrical/ ballet company standards is so worth it!! The life line is incredible.
This years build will include new Candy's, which i have no idea on design yet. It took me about eight hours of research just to come up with the designs for a new Harlequin boy doll, so designs for 3 sets for Candy's is a bit intimidating. Silly to feel over whelmed by a group of costumes for 6 year olds, but there are so many AWFUL designs out there (and i use the term very loosely!! lol)
There is a group of candy canes, and then 2 other types of candy. I have no idea what kind yet, but i can promise all you , they will not be some hideiuos lycra flourescent CRAP!!!!!
Tuesday i head to LA fo a trade show, and hope to pickup some new vendors. I am looking for some INSPIRATION here, so don't let me down LA CONVENTION CENTER
But on too the most exciting news of ALLL!!!!! Madoka Ueno is producing her debut DVD and i am making the cover outfit!! so exciting to work with J-pop celebs and creat for such amazing artists!! i will post images when available and link up to sound bits for you too. Can't wait for the pv to shoot!!!
Nutcracker cast lists are posted across the US and craziness has set in at ballet company costume workshops around the world. Actually, this year we are in really good shape. We have already fit half the cast in their pieces thanks to my amazing staff who are on the ball as usual.
There will be some new builds this year, a new set of rat tutus, and an old group of baby mice has resurfaced from an old build from about ten years ago. And they look in really good shape considering their age and the amount of use/abuse they have sustained in the past decade. Its hard to believe that the people who worn them when they were first built have graduated high school and are now in COLLEGE!!!! Again, i can not stress that building costumes to full theatrical/ ballet company standards is so worth it!! The life line is incredible.
This years build will include new Candy's, which i have no idea on design yet. It took me about eight hours of research just to come up with the designs for a new Harlequin boy doll, so designs for 3 sets for Candy's is a bit intimidating. Silly to feel over whelmed by a group of costumes for 6 year olds, but there are so many AWFUL designs out there (and i use the term very loosely!! lol)
There is a group of candy canes, and then 2 other types of candy. I have no idea what kind yet, but i can promise all you , they will not be some hideiuos lycra flourescent CRAP!!!!!
Tuesday i head to LA fo a trade show, and hope to pickup some new vendors. I am looking for some INSPIRATION here, so don't let me down LA CONVENTION CENTER
But on too the most exciting news of ALLL!!!!! Madoka Ueno is producing her debut DVD and i am making the cover outfit!! so exciting to work with J-pop celebs and creat for such amazing artists!! i will post images when available and link up to sound bits for you too. Can't wait for the pv to shoot!!!
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