photo credit: goodsociety
Canadian emerging designer Ryan Shantz’s eco fashion brand goodsociety is a movement that blends the fashion and socially conscious communities.
Goodsociety ‘s sustainable organic cotton minimalist jeans are for both women and men in a broad range of washes and cuts.
The GoodSociety Denim Collection can be purchased at The MarketPlace Noblivity.com
The youthful freestyle of the 70’s is seen in emerging fashion brand SOPHOMORE
Emerging designers Chrissie Miller and Madeline von Froomer ‘s basic inspired pieces include tees, tanks, sweatshirts, leggings and jackets.
Ahh, the 70’s a nostalgic time when ‘war’ was a song, the Beatles were all the rage and the Jacksons were the Jackson 5.
Can’t you just see Freda Payne in those hip boots singing Band of Gold… Check them out and tell us what you think?
What to look for in a good fashion sales agent?
by: Maggie Hackett
A fashion sales agent is one of the most important team partners an emerging designer can have in terms of getting the designer’s brand in boutiques and department stores. Some agents work for major corporate agencies and some agents are independent. Some agents work out of their showrooms only and some others “road” the labels that they represent. But many do both!
For an emerging fashion designer, choosing an agent could be a daunting task. Mainly because designers don’t always know where or how to find good agents and most agents who are advertising don’t always meet the designers’ budget. Because of that fact, a lot of designers quickly hire the first agent that they meet out of maybe frustration or because they want to sell so badly. So when looking for the perfect agent for your brand, I always advise designers to conduct a thorough interview of the agents as you would when hiring an in-house sales agent. I find a lot of designers who set up a meeting with me spend the entire time telling me about their labels and when do I want to get started. Wrong!
The way to think about it is that, the agent is a sales person who’s in the business of making money. They have to sell the products to make their commission. So the designer who is most of the time a creative person has to put the business cap on and get out of the person who is going to represent your line all that you need. When having that first phone or in-person communication with the sales agent, the designer would do well to give a brief detail of the garments and how he/she got started. Then ask the designers a few questions about himself/herself. A few questions that are always good to ask are:
How long you’ve been in business?
Although that’s not the most important question because some agents could be new to selling fashion; but have a lifetime of experience in sales that’s invaluable.
What lines are you currently representing (don’t be shy to reach out to those designers and get their feedback on the agent)
Emerging designers have it tough as it is and can’t afford to start out with the wrong person to sell their designs. Do your homework and be bold to avoid misrepresentation of your lines. Remember, it’s your dream, your art that you are in trusting with someone. Don’t take it lightly!
mhackett@maramagency.com
www.maramagency.com
PH: 917.500.1086
“People have to be adventurous, happy, quirky and have positive energy”,Elena Montes Casado
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designers Elena Montes Casado & Rob Ryan
Company/Designer Name: LadyUmbrella/ Elena Montes Casado
Designer Background Summary:
I am Elena and I come from Madrid in Spain. I’ve always liked to design things and have been interested in art for as long as I can remember. I like to continually create art from photographs to teapots and installations to paintings.
How did you get started?
It all started with photography. My first camera was a 2ndhand reflex camera which I liked using and then I started to work in a photolab and eventually got my own dark room. After that like everyone I progressed to a digital camera and from there I started to experiment with photoshop and illustrator. Once I came up with the LadyUmbrella idea it was a natural progression to apply the designs to t-shirts.
What inspires your designs?
LadyUmbrella came to be when I arrived in Dublin, Ireland a few years ago from Madrid. There is so much rain in this country it is unbelievable. Anyway, I saw lots of umbrellas on the streets covering people’s faces and thought that a lady with an umbrella for a head could make for an interesting character and brand idea. Most of my designs feature LadyUmbrella and are inspired by, well, I don’t know, life and living I guess..
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?
The designs at the minute are simple and single coloured with pure lines. I like to use shadows to add mystery to the designs as you don’t know if LadyUmbrella is in a room or outside. LadyUmbrella is in her own surreal magic world where anything can happen, even light bulbs dangling from the sky or LadyUmbrella standing on a small iceberg after traveling in her paper boat. The target customer is pretty much anybody who likes the designs. I don’t think there is a certain age group for a LadyUmbrella customer but a particular mindset – people have to be adventurous, happy, quirky and have positive energy.
What designers inspire you?
I studied history of art so I am influenced by that. I lived in Barcelona when doing my masters and the city is rich with design. Every street has something interesting and inspiring to offer, all of the restaurants there pay attention to small details of their design and layout and so I can’t reference any particular fashion designer. Just by living in and observing places like Barcelona and Madrid I have found lots of inspiration for designs. During my masters I studied Giorgio de Chirico who was an Italian painter from the Futurist movement who inspired me to include empty spaces in my designs and to create an air of mystery. Julio Cortazar is an Argentinean writer who wrote Cronopios and Famas which inspired me for the unusual surroundings and scenarios that I could use place LadyUmbrella in.
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
For me it is easy to start designing but I find it very hard to say that a design is finished. By saying something is finished it then gives people the chance to criticize it and so because I am shy I get nervous about what people are going to say about a design.
How did you overcome them?
I had to. And Rob (the other part of the LadyUmbrella team) told me to otherwise we would never be able to get our ladies clothes created. I’m still trying to fully overcome it though, so far so good.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
The greatest moment for me was seeing my designs on our t-shirts. Not the first time though. The first time I saw them I really didn’t like the t-shirts we were using and the designs didn’t look as I imagined they would so I had to redesign them completely. The journey to get to here has taken about 18 months and when we started all of our designs were to be printed on white t-shirts – needless to say that didn’t happen. The 2nd time seeing the next version of our t-shirts as they evolved wasn’t as harrowing as the first time but still didn’t provide the elation I was hoping for. This time around I was happy with the print but the style of the t-shirt needed to be modified. 3rd time round was the lucky one though and provided me with the greatest moment of the journey so far. I am really happy and proud of how our t-shirts have turned out.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
As I said earlier the first designs were all white which has been changed for all colour. Also, during the design phase I added more details and spaced the elements out differently to try use more of the “canvas” of the t-shirt. For example, in LadyUmbrella is Away with the Birds the clouds and cages were added after the initial design.
If money were no object what would you do right now?
Design more t-shirts with lots of different shapes and styles and investigate a lot more about fabrics and give LadyUmbrella a broad appeal, not just t-shirts but all types of clothing. In time LadyUmbrella will design all types of clothing (and more) but for now I have to build it up – if money were no object that is what I would right now though.
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
There is always something new to learn or something new to see. I also like how the brain reacts to new ideas and how new designs form and evolve. The worst thing is when those ideas don’t arrive and my mind is completely blank.
Describe your typical day?
I don’t really have typical days. I spend a few hours working on new designs most days. I also have to take care of all the other design work for LadyUmbrella which eats into my time to design fresh designs. Rob always wants me to make new videos or edit this picture or that picture for him as we are trying to get the word out. I also have to spend time most days in packing and getting orders ready for shipment – such an enjoyable chore…So, there are no typical days really but if I’m working I’m on my mac, that is the only thing that is constant.
What’s your philosophy of life?
I really don’t know. There are so many good philosophies out there that mine will pale in comparison to them but one thing we always say at LadyUmbrella is “Stay Happy” and I think it is a nice way to try live one’s life. All the clichés of “life is too short”, “you only go around this crazy merry go round once” and “don’t take things for granted” are all pretty much true so why not stay happy?
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
Not a lot really. I think I am where I am now and LadyUmbrella is where it is now because of what we have learnt in the past. All of the mistakes we made have helped us to learn and to get to where we are now.
When will you know you have made it?
I don’t know yet but I hope when the time comes it’ll be obvious hehe.
New to the Eco-Fashion Market…
UK based emerging designers James and Mary McAloon the duo behind the eco-brand Excentree have set out to put their stamp on the environmentally friendly fashion market.
Their collection of sustainable graphic tees produced in limited quantities keeping their brand fresh and original.
Their desire to build and maintain orphanages in war-affected countries while helping displaced children keeps them focused.
Excentree wants to make a positive impact on the lives of others and the world we live in.
They have created the Excentree Give Foundation to support the direction of the company and build an active community of like minds.
When an Excentree Tee is purchased there are several unique features to insure the consumer that their buying decision has far reach;
1) A tree is planted with each purchase.
2) The hang tags on their garments have a redemption code embedded with seeds which you can pot and watch grow.
3) 100% Organic Cotton
4) Excentree Give Foundation – Get involved
The Excentree Tees are available @ The MarketPlace Noblivity.com
FashionMiami” aims to turn that spotlight on fashion and create a destination for designers, press and buyers and will launch this Winter of 2010, with a schedule of Fall/Winter 2010 collection runway shows and events taking place from March 10 - 13 at the stunning 35,000sqft temporary structure in the heart of the Design District.
“We will now host Gen-Art’s Fresh Faces shows, the FGI Emerging Designers Competition presented by Chrysler, Custo Barcelona, Funkshion, as well as multiple independently produced runway shows and showcases.” Read the whole story
Chicago 2010 Business Plan Competition
For Business Plan Workshops; Held in conjunction with the City Treasurer’s 2010 Small Business Expo, the Business Plan Competition gives entrepreneurs and start-ups the opportunity to submit a 2 page written executive summary to win their share of $10,000 in cash prizes and mentoring services critical to a successful business. Competitors will have until Monday, April 5, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. to enter.
Two keys to success in the business world are a great business plan – and a great elevator speech. What is an elevator speech? A clear and concise summary of: 30 seconds or less – of your business and why your service or product is important.
After years of running the annual business plan competition, the City Treasurer’s Office would like to encourage Chicago Businesses to be able to put their best foot forward verbally – and fast.
For complete details http://www.chicagocitytreasurer.com/smallBusinessExpo/SBE2010.pdf
UK based emerging designer Ziad Ghanem has something to say and his edgy couture pieces are making a statement.
Ziad is known for his artistic use of contrasts, large sculptural elements and ‘street couture’ with punch.
The Ziad Ghanem Collection will be showing at London Fashion Week 2010.
“Smile through even the worst situations”, Jack Brodie
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Jack Brodie
Company/Designer Name: Brodie Cashmere / Brodie designed by the whole Jack Brodie team!
Design Background of the Range:
There has been so many design inputs that it would be hard to talk about just one designer as being behind the Brodie range! The design background of the range incorporates so many individual contributions, it is best to talk about the story of the development of the Brodie range!
Brodie’s Scottish heritage, coupled with the finest Mongolian cashmere and our Italian design team made the perfect ingredients to unique and wearable cashmere garments.
Using the traditional skills passed down by generations from the borders of Scotland, to the steppes of Mongolia, we have a passion for producing the finest quality cashmere garments that our customers know and love.
Our product has the heritage of Scotland, gained through generations of experience, whilst the steppes of Mongolia is where we found the finest raw cashmere and traditional skills of over 300 knitters to produce the quality garments that are exported around the world today.
Our Brodie products are not just the work of technologists, they are the product of artisans who have years of experience in the knitting of cashmere. Brodie is a product which is a reflection of the land that it comes from and the people who created it.
Italy is known for its passionate people, magnificent cuisine and its eye for design. It was in this vibrant country that we began working with our friend Jess Carlucci in the design of the latest range of Brodie cashmere, using a marriage of the classical skills of the past with the modern designs of today. The Brodie cashmere range reflects the style and quality of the best Italian design whilst maintaining the timeless look and feel that has ensured that cashmere has a distinctive style all of its own.
How did you get started?
Jack Brodie had been working with cashmere all his life; creating luxurious cashmere garments for other people. With his years of experience, knowledge of the finest cashmere raw material, and with Jess Carlucci’s design inspiration assistance, it was decided that Jack was to create his own cashmere range. So in October 2009 Brodie was designed to bring great cashmere to people at a price they can afford, without compromising on quality.
What inspires your designs?
Our designs are inspired by literally anything! Italian culture, Mongolian history, Scottish weather! We strive to give people what they need and what they desire in one of the world’s finest raw materials.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer?
Brodie is a fresh and innovative take on cashmere. The range incorporates both classical pieces and contemporary fashion designs in 100% cashmere. Unique to Brodie is our ability to offer light weight cashmere pieces which allow for all year wearability.
Brodie aims to target all kinds of women who love cashmere and share our passion for bringing a really great cashmere product to people at a price they want to pay.
Each piece in the ladies autumn-winter 2010-2011 collection is named after our closest friends and family; the Jessie Hug, the Becky Knit, the Kimmy cardy, the May Bolero, the Fabby Gabby….. We wanted to create something that any woman can enjoy, irrespective of age and size.
What designers inspire you?
All designers offering amazing products but at an affordable price!
What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Given Brodie’s Scottish roots, Italian designers and Mongolian raw material it was difficult putting together the range! All the small details to make the garments that extra bit special had to be understood in 3 different languages and communicated across various time zones! Photos and Skype were our lifesavers!
How did you overcome them?
A few cups of tea, late night conference calls, and the whole team supporting our Brodie mission helped us all to get the range together in time to launch at Pure London this February!
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far?
When the range arrived into our UK office and to suddenly realize that the whole thing was real and we actually had a range together! Looking at our creation and feeling so proud of the whole team was an amazing sensation!
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far?
We always wanted to offer cashmere at affordable prices without compromising on quality or design. We also wanted to ensure our cashmere had all year wearability, and not just limited to the cold winter months! So we recreated our designs into a light weight version allowing us to achieve these goals.
If money were no object what would you do right now?
We would give everyone who helped us every piece of the range in every colour to show our appreciation for their time, effort and patience!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer?
The uncertainty that you are doing it right but then having the collection before your eyes and realizing that it came out better than we ever expected.
Describe your typical day?
The only certainty of the day is that we all have at least 10 cups of tea and answer a bombardment of emails from Italy and Mongolia because our day before late night emails did not make any sense!
What’s your philosophy of life?
Smile through even the worst situations, keep your calm and deal with problems calmly and consistently.
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?
We would give ourselves more time to create the range, and gather all the team together in one country to discuss the range.
When will you know you have made it?
Oooo- Maybe when we are on the cover of a magazine? But even to overhear a group of people discussing and recommending the Brodie range would be a pretty awesome feeling!
The Fall/Winter 2010 Luxury Pret-A-Porter collection is inspired by the colors and forms of the hidden and forgotten underwater world Atlantis. Tones of blues, greens accompany shiny water-like or fish-like materials. Scales decorate trendy minimalist silhouettes. A reference to Glam Rock, specifically David Bowie’s wardrobe can be seen. In the new collection we also created woman’s shoes and fashion jewelry as well. Dora Abodi participated in Nolcha Fashion Week February 2010.
Emerging designer Dora Abodi is experimental and chic at the same time. She utilizes elegant handcrafted details, new lines, fresh contemporary thinking, uncommon use of materials, luxury: these are the keywords of her brand.
Dora Abodi has graduated from MODART the French International Art and Fashion Academy in Budapest in 2009.
Dora represents a deeply ethical attitude towards fashion: no “fast” fashion, no environmental and labor exploitation, no real fur, no ‘exotic’ leathers and often the textiles used in her collections are made from recycled materials.
The newly launched brand Dora Abodi was discovered by leading Hungarian fashion magazines Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Elle, InStyle, Maxima, Zoom and Elite.
In the middle of November Glamour magazine’s readers nominated Dora Abodi as Woman of the Year in Fashion designer category. The gala and winner announcement will be held in May 2010.
The Dora Abodi Collection is available @ The MarketPlace Noblivity.com.
“Until I find a style I truly love, I will continue making one of a kind.” Sheri Sopczak
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Sheri Sopczak
Company/Designer Name: Chicks and Girlies | Sheri Sopczak
Designer Background Summary: No formal design education
How did you get started? My Mom has been a handbag designer for as long as I can remember so I kind of grew up with it … like having another sibling! I tried making a few handbags a couple years ago out of fabric but wasn’t very good I didn’t think, so being discouraged I went on with life. In December of 2009 my mother shared some leather with me as I was bursting with ideas and didn’t know how to express them. So I quickly made myself my first Leather Handbag, posted it to Facebook and within an hour it had sold. That was the start! Everything has moved very, very quickly from there and I am thrilled with the response everyone is having to Chicks & Girlies! It is a wonderful feeling to have people appreciate what you create.
What inspires your designs? Colors, moods, feelings, passions… Life. I just look at the leather and I know what I’m going to create.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer? My handbags are all one-of-a-kind designs no pattern is used so it is impossible to recreate. I couldn’t draw a picture of what the bags will look like when I am done as I don’t even know until it is finished. I cut each piece as I need it and I love doing it this way… It feels like a mystery I am about to solve the entire way through! So I don’t think I have found my style yet and I think that this is also what inspires me …not having a set style is freeing…so far anyway! I don’t have a target audience, It’s my hope that I can create something for everyone.
What designers inspire you? I try not to pay attention to other designers for fear of copying anyone else’s style. Rather I just watch people, how they wear their clothes, the attitudes they portray and radiance they exude. It’s the power of confidence these women feel that inspires me to create.
What obstacles did you have to overcome? Well, I design one-of-a-kind handbags… this takes time as I cannot mass produce one design. Until I find a style I truly love, I will continue making one of a kind.
How did you overcome them? Take it one day at a time, one Handbag at a time!
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? I was just asked by Anita Talbert, Executive Producer of the Oscar Suite of 100 Stars, to have my Chicks and Girlies bags at the 2010 Pre Oscar Gifting Suite for the stars and media. Very exciting to say the least!
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? I don’t think I have had enough time to change anything yet!!
If money were no object what would you do right now? Hire a cleaning lady and a chief so I could sew all day and all night (with of course time for my 3 amazing daughters,son and wonderful husband in between!) Each purse in like reading a great book you can’t put down until it’s done! It’s all I want to do!
What are the best and worst things about being a designer? Loving every minute so far! Didn’t know there could be a worst part!
What’s your philosophy of life? Be nice…
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? Be more prepared! I didn’t even know if people would like them so when they did, I definitely wasn’t well enough prepared!
When will you know you have made it? Oh my goodness… I never even thought about that! Everyone is saying everything is happening so fast with Chicks & Girlies “like those lucky people you see on OPRAH”… so I guess when I get on OPRAH… then I will know I have made it!!
Photo Credit: The World Fashion Organization
“Will it. Believe it. Do it. Now.”, Zack Lo
Noblivity Spotlights Emerging Designer Zack Lo
Company/Designer Name: Zack Lo Shoes / Zack Lo
How did you get started? I have a Fine Arts and Graphic Design background, but have always had a passion for shoes. About five years ago, I started designing with a friend of mine in London, whose family owned a shoe manufacturing business in Taiwan. At the same time, I learned the craft of handmade shoes. The Voodoo Circus is my first collection.
What inspires your designs? I am inspired by vintage styles and by past luxuries–and the lasting imprint they make, but at the same time I have a deep attraction for what seems new. I am equally attracted to Old Hollywood Glamour as much as by Japanese anime. For me, I am inspired by what I perceive as beautiful, and that is always a visceral reaction. So I design what makes me feel happy and connected to world around me.
How would you describe your design style, design signatures and who is your targeted customer? I think that my designs are extroverted, but yet reflect elegance and sophistication. My design style at the moment is really about mixed mediums–combing many different colors, textures and materials in ways that seem dynamic and feminine to me. I design shoes that I hope are viewed as fashion in the truest sense, and not just accessories to apparel. I design for a woman who has no fear in expressing who she is–a woman who makes deliberate fashion choices that speak about who she is, rather than follow obvious trends.
What designers inspire you? Elbaz for Lanvin. Also, I saw recently the Iris Apfel exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, “Rare Bird of Fashion,” from her personal collection. Genius and theatrical style unfettered by any convention!
What obstacles did you have to overcome? Shyness, especially in public speaking. I much prefer to express myself in my work and in my art.
How did you overcome them? I am still in the process of resolving! And I try to smile a lot.
What has been your greatest moment on your journey so far? I am really most happy when thinking about future creations–about growing personally as a designer and staying true to my vision. Rather than think about what I have done, I want to always consider what I will yet do. And of course, I get inspired by women asking me what my next collection will look like.
What has been the biggest change in your designs so far? Listening to what women want and the endless ways they think about fashion. I learned that many women want choices that reflect how and what they feel–one day a princess, the next day a president. I have started to design with this in mind–that is why each shoe in my collection has an individual personality–like characters in a play.
If money were no object what would you do right now? Catch up on my sleep! And then I would seek out more opportunities to collaborate on projects with all types of other designers–I really enjoy the energy and community of creating this way.
What are the best and worst things about being a designer? The best is being fully engaged in a project from vision to creation to production. And of course feeling elated when people respond well to my work. This creates value for me–the sharing of happiness and expression. The worst I think, is making compromises along the way that affect the end result in a challenging way.
Describe your typical day? I generally go to sleep late–since I prefer to do my design work at night, when the energy and excitement of the day is still reverberating in the city. I typically answer emails and return calls in the morning, have lunch with associates or meet socially with friends in the afternoon, and then get to work when most people are finishing their day.
What’s your philosophy of life? “Will it. Believe it. Do it. Now.”
If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? That is a really difficult question, since I feel like I am still at the beginning. I would like to answer this again in twenty years, and I hope that will be able to do so without any regrets.
When will you know you have made it? When I never stop to think to about what I have achieved! I want to be looking forward and having wonderful people always around me looking ahead in the same direction.
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