Piles and Piles

The dresses are on the way. We start shipping to stores in February. It's such a busy time and so many things to think about- making sure everything is just right. Scheduling cutting and sewing, ordering more trim, extra this and that. In fact the other day my car was broken into and 1500 snaps were stolen! (along with my GPS, Curtis's checkbook, and Will's backpack and precious collection of ugly doll key chains.) Ridiculous. The snaps are probably in a dumpster somewhere. And the Ugly Doll keychains? I hope they are a treasure for someone who needs them. Well, I ordered more snaps and progress continues....

Photos for Spring

We have spent several days on photography creating images for Spring. Now that we literally have thousands of images, the hard work is sorting through them and pulling out what to use. QuentinBacon, the photographer, has paired several images on his blog from the shoot that I like very much and wanted to share.

The blues make this a perfect pairing. The old car is in a shed at the ranch in Napa, where we did a shoot last Fall. The hula hoop image from Jody's house in front of her lovely blue wall. 

(Tess dress is Birdseye green, coming in February to the website)

These are obviously "behind the scenes" shots. I tend to avoid the camera but Quenting got me while my back was turned. Candes and I are pulling creases out of the dress before the shot.  And Curtis is trying to tell Dottie what to do...and hands off treats to the model. 

(Grace dress in Rockridge Blue- popular dress in the London boutiques, 

 Mimi in Taupe Links, both available mid-February)

 Of course I love the one below, on right. Will, my little ragamuffin. 

(Dottie dress in Black Lattice- limited available now and more coming late February)

The images all make me so happy because it looks like everything 

has come together, which is far from how I feel.

Printing Day

Curtis, the boys and I took a road trip this week. We did the drive down Hwy 5 to LA so that I could oversee the printing of a lot of fabric.  I have to admit that I feel very comfortable in factories. I love to see how things are made. This was no exception.

This is the medium that the dye is mixed with so that it smoothly glides across the screens. It's hard to realize scale in this image, but this tub is HUGE. 

This is the dye, mixed and ready to be added to the medium. At first glance I thought it was a juice bar, and then thought, how odd! Really just a second later I figured it out.

Here is my Tumbleweed screen in place and ready to go.

This is the guy who worked on my job all day. He was very nice, but not a word of English.

This is a photo during production. The worker here is checking

 to be sure that everything is lined up properly.

And here it is coming out of the heater right after getting printed

Next the fabric is piled into a bin which is wheeled over to the washing machine (this machine is 30' long!). Then it's rolled and stacked on palettes until the trucking company picks it up, drives it up Hwy 5 right to my office. 10,000 yards, on the way. whew.  It's a lot of work and the sewing hasn't even begun!

Piewacket Magic

These are my dresses!  Lara Rossignal is an amazing fashion photographer and I  love her blog, http://www.piewacketblog.com/. I sent her a box of dresses and look what she sent back!! She really added some glamour.  It started a big debate at the office. Do you people want to look at images they relate to or that that aspire to? Does this strike the perfect balance?

Chicken Little

I left the factory this afternoon and walked around the corner to my car and look who I passed! I just had to take a picture and share. Last week was the hustle and bustle of New York City (Coterie- I know, I still need to post about it), and this week back to my same old same old. I actually really enjoy my daily routine and the unexpected things, such as this chicken, that come my way.

 

ME at the photo shoot

 Thought I'd share a bit of what I did.... 

1. Standing in for the model.  Quentin needed to check the lighting and the model was still getting ready. It's a tough job. Can you tell how hard I'm working??

2. Looking in the model's magnifying mirror at my wrinkles. 

Thankfully the light is so bright in the photo that they have been blurred away. Note #117 to self: DO NOT look in magnifying mirror with reading glasses. Ignorance is bliss.

3. Fixing the collar on the model's dress.

Note #118 to self:  Never wear anything that resembles the model's dress! I had on the Hope dress in Platinum Tumbleweed (Spring 2011 sample- I was giving it a test run. And by the way, I think I need to add an inch to the length). The model had on Kelsey in Platinum Tumbleweed (Fall 2010). 

Let's just say it wasn't working out in my favor.  

4. Making wind, at least trying to.

This was my pathetic attempt at making wind so that it would appear that Lauri's hair and dress were blowing in a summer breeze. In the end Quentin traded places with me. He set up the camera and told me to push the button while he actually made the summer breeze.  He can do anything.

5. Pinning fabric.

Even the extra small is a bit big on Lauri. Tall and thin just looks good in the photos.  Let's be honest, it just plain looks good. 

6. Tucking in Lauri's turtleneck. Doesn't everyone need a tucker inner? Also carrying spare camera and spare scarves. I'm such a multi-tasker!

7. Reflecting on a perfect day in a beautiful place working with a team of people I adore.

 Thank you Quentin! 

and Donna, Curtis and Lauri! xo

Tights/ No Tights

Riley dress is Black spots. (available online in September)

Photos by Quentin - Napa shoot last Monday.

Purple tights? No tights? What do you think?? 

Which image should we use?