Make It Work!

Being a diligent designer, I'm doing my very best to take Tim Gunn's advice!  But, I'm trying to make it work MY way -- the only way I know how.  I'm back on the genius site, Kickstarter, to fund my latest collection.  It was just one year ago that I first dipped my toes into the crowdsourcing pool on the advice of one of my biggest supporters, Wendy Brandes.  I was thrilled at the response I received and even more thrilled that I raised the money to put on my first runway show. 

Tim must be obeyed

Most of you know the story and most of you sponsored me.  Thanks!  It's been an amazing feeling to finally be designing my own collection rather than someone elses.  That's been my goal since I was a young girl, so I don't see any reason to turn back now.  I've made quite a bit of progress over the last year (WWD, Huffington Post, LIFE, Dstripped Mag, DFR) and I sincerely believe my big break is coming!  It takes time.  Rome wasn't built in a day, as they say.  I'm still working on getting my foot in the door with a store that is willing to buy more than one or two pieces of a style.  Persistence is key.  In order to be persistent, I need to be relevant which means, I need to consistently show collections.  Season after season.  You need to be in it to win it, so to speak.

my sketch in WWD - September 15, 2011

So, until I find a backer (I love when people suggest that to me like it's something that never occurred to me -- I'd much rather somebody could give me a name and a number!) or until I get a big order from Neiman's (Ken Downing, I love you!), I'm going to need to find other ways to finance my shows/collections.  Another one of my favorite suggestions that I get all the time is, "Why don't you get a celebrity to wear one of your pieces?"  To which I respond, "GREAT idea!  Do you know any?"  Then, there is usually an awkward pause.

Kim... you're my girl!  Let me dress you!

Anyway, I guess you can say I'm a little naive in that I still believe that people can become successful based on talent, hard work and sticking around long enough.  Well, you need to take all that, add being in the right place at the right time and sprinkle in a little luck!  That's the recipe.  So, you guys are my luck.  Help me make it happen!  Sponsor my Spring 2012 line (click this link or the widget)... any amount is appreciated and every little bit helps.  Spread the word!

Let's let Tim know that we "made it work!!"

"Morange"

Yes, it's more orange!  Maybe next week I'll move onto something in the green family.  Color of the week?  Might be fun.


I guess I've been feeling this color for a while and it's not just a sudden or fleeting affair.  I realized that I have had a few storage boxes for magazines and miscellaneous items in pumpkin orange for several years now.  I really love how this color works with grey or white interiors.

Bigso of Sweden: available at Sam Flax

Then, I remembered the orange lip color that I envisioned for my first collection (Spring 2011) and after searching high and low, I found the perfect shade at M.A.C.  They cleverly called the lipstick, "Morange."

M.A.C. lipstick in "Morange" color. 

model, Cynthia Kirchner in my Spring 2011 show wearing "Morange" M.A.C. lip color

And then there is my silk double knit dress with shell shoulder detail.  It wasn't just the buttery softness of the fabric that appealed to me, but also the color.

my spun silk double knit draped dress

Last but not least, let us not forget Alexander McQueen -- ever.  I adore the simplicity of this piece.  It works perfectly without fuss or muss.  A color blocking masterpiece.

Alexander McQueen, Resort 2009

Photo: Style.com via Marcio Madeira

Okay, now that I have written two posts about pumpkin orange, I'm over it!  Hahaha.  I'm so jaded.  Hmmm, jade, now that's a nice color...

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: I just came across this amazing kitchen designed for the one and only, BETTE MIDLER!!  I had to ask interior designer, Mary Douglas Drysdale if I could post it and she graciously allowed it.  Thanks Mary!  Visit her web site to check out more of her beautiful work.

"A Little More Orange Kitchen!"

Mary Douglas Drysdale, Interior Designer

Incredible Cardin

A couple of months ago, I posted about the legendary designer, Pierre Cardin.  I felt that most "non-fashion" people only recognized him for luggage and fragrance (for shame!).  Well, that may soon change.  Friday evening, I was lucky enough to not only attend Mr. Cardin's showing of his Spring 2011 collection, but I also met the extraordinary designer!  If my fifteen year old self could only have imagined that one day, I'd shake his hand and he would compliment my dress...!  What?  Yes, HE complimented MY dress!  Surreal.

in the original, gold "Elizabeth" dress

Photo: Richard Renda

The dress in question?  The original "Elizabeth" dress from my Spring line.  Yep, it's short, no doubt about it, but I managed.  Cardin actually touched the fabric and asked if it had metal in it... the man knows his stuff!  "It's beautiful," he said.  OK, I can die happy now.  I thanked him and told him that he was a very big influence on me growing up and that I was honored to be there to witness his unbelievable show (comprising of 200+ looks!!).  Very humbly, the white-haired man asked me, "Do they like it?  What are they saying?"
Just like an artist.  I guess it doesn't matter how successful or how experienced we become, there will always be that teeny weeny bit of self-doubt and that nagging urge to impress.

Pierre Cardin chats with Marisa Berenson after the show

I covered the show for the online fashion publication, "Lookonline" -- click here to read my article and to view some runway pictures from Cardin's show shot by the incomparable fashion photographer (a.k.a. my house photographer!), Randy Brooke.

To Cool For School

Tomorrow morning, I will be speaking in front of a class of fashion marketing students and I'm hoping they'll actually learn something from me!  My very good friend, Adrienne, thinks it will be a tremendous opportunity for these kids to hear how I put my show and my collection together for Spring Fashion Week.  She bent my arm and I complied.  I'm more than happy to do it, I guess I'm just a little worried something like this will unfold...

classic Ferris Bueller scene

Hopefully nobody will drool!!  And I do think my discussion will be a bit more interesting and entertaining than Ben Steins' lesson on "Voodoo economics!"  I plan to tell these impressionable students how difficult this industry is, but how wonderful it can be as well.  I'm anxious to share with them how many generous people out there got behind me and supported me (mentally and financially) to help make my dream come true of putting on a show during NY Fashion Week.  Sometimes I still can't even wrap my head around it...

Out of Town... Visiting Another Blog!

Well, it's 2 weeks post show... amazing how time flies!  I'll get back to my regular blogging very soon -- I may even have to comment on some shows in Milan.  Versace looked FAB, by the way, don't you think?

But, before that, I wanted to share this interview from "Shoe Daydreams."  Most of you know Princess Poochie (the author of that blog), but those of you who don't... you should!  You'd never know that this stylishly hot redhead is "living in fashion exile" (as she puts it) because she looks like she is on the pulse of fashion... she looks like, well, a New Yorker!  I adored her trompe l'oeil dress she wore to my show, so I thought I would post it for all of you to appreciate!

Princess Poochie interviews me at my show!  See the entire article on her fabulous blog, Shoe Daydreams.

Princess Poochie in trompe l'oeil, Katie in leopard and Celine (The Shoe Girl) in a fab pistol print

A Designer's Dream

I had a dream... OK, I won't go there!  But, the truth is that I did, in fact, have a dream to be a designer and to put on a show (well, many shows) during New York Fashion Week.  So, a young girl from Amish Country, PA came to the big city with stars in her eyes and passion in her heart.  Sadie (my dress form that I bought for $15 in 1985 and wheeled out of a store in the mall that was going out of business) and I, settled in NYC after finishing design school.

The "Anna" dress -- sponsor JEC

The "Emilia" dress -- sponsor JEC

Immediately, I got into a pattern (or a rut as it proved).  Upon graduating from F.I.T., I needed to land a job within two weeks so that I could pay rent on the apartment that I managed to get... otherwise, I'd be kicked to the curb.  So, I took what I could get in the world of fashion and started as an assistant in an outerwear company and barely scraped by.  I continued down this path for many many years, leaving companies for better opportunities and bigger paychecks, but I never had the time or the means to actually venture out on my own.  As I say in the video (below) while backstage at my first show, "It's more than a 24/7 undertaking." 

Stacy Lomman Interview FWNY 2010 from stacy lomman on Vimeo.

Since, I found myself with ample time recently (as the job market has all but disappeared), I decided it was the perfect moment to launch my line.  Crazy?  Maybe.  But, it worked!  The problem had always been financing -- how do I pay NYC rent and other expenses at the same time that I'm trying to put a collection together (which requires a lot of capital)?  I needed a miracle.  An angel.  Well, I found several angels.  Sixty-five to be exact.

The gorgeous "Gwendolyn P" dress -- sponsored by Taffetadarlings reader and major supporter, Christine (note the Wendy Brandes "Cleopatra" earrings)

The hot "Elizabeth" dress -- sponsored by fellow blogger and huge supporter, Elizabeth

One day, I decided to raise money through sponsors to start my label.  Knowing that my concept for the collection was metal (titled "Precious Metal") I boldly approached Goldschläger Liqueur.  Liquor companies love getting involved with these kind of things, I thought.  They crave having their name/logo plastered all over the place and being that Goldschläger has flakes of 24 karat gold floating around, I didn't see how they could resist being part of my "Precious Metal" collection.  Well, they resisted.  They never responded to me.  OK, I won't hold it against them... they obviously don't know a good thing when it drops in their lap.  No offense taken!  So, what were my options?  Fabric companies?  They weren't giving me a dime.  What to do, what to do.  Enter social media expert, jewelry designer and blogger extraordinaire, Wendy Brandes.

The sexy "WendyB" dress -- sponsored by the sexy WendyB!

Most of you who read my blog are familiar with WendyB, her jewelry and her blog.  In fact, most of you who read my blog found me through WendyB!!  After my failed attempts to get sponsorship through companies, Wendy mentioned a website she had heard about called "Kickstarter," which provides a platform for all kinds of artists to generate funding for their projects.  I filled out all of the pertinent information, stated my case and submitted the forms to Kickstarter.  After four days, I received a notice that I had been approved and that I could launch my project.  Not sure of how this site would work for me or how many (or few) people it would actually reach, I set my goal number fairy low.  The catch is, if you don't reach the goal, you don't get the cash.  Even if you're $5 short.

The "Jocelyn" dress -- sponsor, Jocelyn Jeffries-Bruno

The "Melissa O" dress -- sponsor, Melissa Offenhartz

To my surprise, my project took off at a blazing speed.  I received emails from people I'd never met wishing me well and rooting for me.  Many of those people became my sponsors and generously opened their wallets in the worst economy ever (well, close) to cheer me on and offer their help and support.  I admit, there were a few times I became completely overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.  The outpouring of positive energy propelled me forward and helped me to put together my first collection under my own name! 

The "Melissa DC" dress -- sponsored by fellow blogger, Melissa Doan-Cenker

Everyone who stood behind me is an angel!  And not just my sponsors... my friends at Bernhard Link and Bricco Restaurant couldn't have been more helpful.  Randy, Steve, Christy, Sylvia, Ernest and David were troopers.  And of course, the brilliant, WendyB, mom & dad and my cool as hell sister, Kim!

The "Suzette" dress -- sponsored by my mommy!

The "Kimberly" dress -- sponsored by my sis

Hope you enjoy all the photos and the backstage footage.  I'll post the show tomorrow!

I'm gonna HUFF and HUFF and blow your socks off!

OK taffetadarlings, as promised, here it is!  Check out the video report from the Huffington Post.  What a great job they did with the story.  I was flattered to be approached by journalist, Samira Nanda, who climbed the five flights of stairs (6 months pregnant to boot!) to my work space without a smidge of complaint!  She and videographer, Hunter Stuart filmed me working on my samples, doing a fitting and talking about the power of social media.  Media Power!  Hunter also came to my show on Monday and got some backstage footage (pretty much me being a nervous wreck) as well as the actual presentation.


Take a look at the edited 2 minute clip.... it's fantastic!  Also, please leave your feedback/comments!

Show Press!!

Okay, okay, have patience my taffetadarlings!  I've been running around like crazy and just picked up the CD from the show photographer... pictures coming soon!  Meanwhile, I wanted to share a couple of pieces from the press... pretty exciting, huh?

I am so proud to be in a video interview in the Huffington Post!  Take a look...

And read about my show in the Lookonline...