just to give you an idea about creating a design from scratch, i have been working on this dress since january. it is a very simple dress, but the most simple designs are sometimes the hardest. they are like the slow movement of a piece of music; there is nothing to hide behind. no flashy distractions like ruffles or volumes of gathered fabric, just a basic contour darts and seams. this dress is inspired by the 1960’s sheath dress, but instead of an a-line from the shoulder, it nips in at the waist for definition. i was never a fan of the sack dress, as it is unflattering on most…

for the same reasons everyone else has i was not so fond of valentine’s day. i don’t feel so interested in delving into the sea of expectation and invalidation that surrounds this so-called holiday, but i have been slowly changing my mind about it. it’s mostly for superficial reasons. i really like pink and red and my designs tend to be flowery and girly. what i mostly would like to say is that it is another day that we take way too seriously. it isn’t about rebelion against our relationship anxiety, but a day to treat ourselves with sexy clothes, chocolate and champagne. and i am here to help! come…

i’ve always had mixed feelings about the holidays. having spent a good chunk of my life working in retail, with my immediate family working in retail as well, christmas was always a much needed day off in between the frenzy of catering to holiday shoppers. one year out of frustration for the impersonalness and obligation of gift giving, i vowed i would make all of my gifts myself. i have mostly stuck to this notion for over a decade. this led the way to me hosting holiday bazaars and doing trunk shows with special holiday-only products that cater to the holiday crowd. and what the heck? if they don’t sell,…

i really hate artists’ statements. it’s that essay test that i was never prepared to write. yes, in high school i stayed up too late reading the entire ‘east of eden’ the night before the test until i passed out in exhaustion, and i couldn’t tell the story in the book from my dreams about it the next day. the lines get blurry around 3a. but i digress. i hate artists’ statements. i can’t cram my life into an essay very well, nor can i hire out for someone to do it for me. with anything else, i can look at other writings for an example. most artists’ statements seem…

we have been trying to schedule this trunk show in bend for months. we finally settled on 6 october, but then we never heard back. i suggested to melissa (my sales rep), that we just keep the day open, and not bother trying to contact them anymore. we have other things to do. of course the next day they contact us with the final confirmation. great! my last wedding of the season was 30 september. so then i get a call to do first thursday 5 october. the show is corporate sponsored in a prime location with free radio advertising! and even better, it’s not a fashion show. i am…