Amazing vintage textiles arrive in the workroom!!!

Somehow, some days are just good, and other days OK. But yesterday was in the "GREAT!" category.
An unexpected arrival if vintage interior design fabrics made the workroom buzz with excitement..  From the '60s, '70s. and a few '80s, an incredible collection of  retro prints and color combinations has the designers immersed in  a glorious bout of nostalgia. Some how the iconic prints of previous decades have found there way through some mysterious portal and landed in the work room.  Waverly, Sears & Roebuck, and 5th Avenue are just a few of the names.  The happy optimistic colors of the '80s.  The earthy grass roots of the '70s, and the Americana of the '60s have come to inspire us us. A bit like "The Sound of Music" where Maria looks at the curtains and envisions play clothes for her charges.

Late one rainy evening......

 

"Hmmmm.... I have an idea..."

The next morning....

"...And voila! I am genius!"

Although these fabrics may not be destined for children's clothing, as in the Von Trapp story, they will most definitely become some of the most sought after pieces of our collection in Spring 2012.And if you are lucky enough to find one at your local boutique, mark down the date, snatch it up quick, and save it to show your grand children, as it is a piece of the past, to made to to make us relish the present.

2010- ALREADY?

Well, the inevitable has happened. Just when I thought I could focus and finish up one project, a slew if 2010 projects have reared up their enticing, intriguing little heads to distract me and make my heart race and beat erratically.
Up first, a steam punk fashion Show in collaboration with Joseph Carroll Photography for spring, for an unnamed charity (we are taking submissions, so please submit your fav's). My staff is super excited by this one, as it comes close on the heals of the Dickens festival Steampunk push they have in Feb 2010.  Lots of ideas, will schedule a time line after this week.

Project Deux- Alice in Wonderland-  While this project has been rumbling around the workroom for the last 6 months, the final semi- confirmation has come through.  Previously a possible ballet, it now may be reincarnated by an entirely different production company as a musical.

Project Trois-The Lion King  This is a HUGE build for us, and will take place over the next 2 years, with
act1 scene1 avaible in June 2010. Lots of  fun, and creativity, based on the broadway musical.  We will produce  approxamately 2 costumes a month  for the next 2 years, until the show is completed

Secret Diary of a Ntcracker Ballet Costumer

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.