Flypaper has sketches from Project Runway winner’s Leanne Marshall for Bluefly Collection, I’ll be previewing the collection next week so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, check out what she has to say about the collection…
ON CREATING HER BLUEFLY COLLECTION
“I’ve been working hard on getting the samples produced for the collection and making sure that everything really goes together well; and getting the fit right… I wish it were out today. I wish I could just sew so fast and get it out there immediately, but you, know, good things come to those who wait.”
ON HER COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABLE FASHION
“[All the pieces in the collection are] eco-friendly except for the gown. It takes a lot to source [sustainable] fabrics… just getting these textiles, and then getting them in the right colors that I wanted — but it was really important for me to make [this collection] as sustainable as it could be… Almost everything is a natural fiber. There are bamboos, there’s a linen, and a tensile… the dying method [is earth-responsible too].”
By: retrogurl
Posted: 06.25.2009
You should see how she really feels about the collection on her blog petalsandwaves.blogspot.com
Excerpted here because she said she might delete it:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
venting
#$%@#!*#$%@#!!!!
I have to vent about how incredibly frustrated I am right now. I will likely be removing this post once I calm down, and I realize it’s never smart to do a blog post when angry. I’m doing it anyway now as a means of therapy.
Edited: because I’m afraid of the consequences of talking about this whole mess. I will shed full light on this later. For now:
To any young designer, or any person running their own business, make ABSOLUTE certain of one thing: At the end, know EXACTLY how much you will be paid in the deal. Never assume. Never estimate. And don’t be afraid to say NO early in the beginning. Don’t be afraid of making others unhappy. When it gets too late, you will lose either way, even if you decide to pull the plug on the deal.
People probably think that fashion designers make a ton of money. But in reality, for the majority of us, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. (even if we’re one of the lucky ones that “makes it” so to speak.) We spend more than we bring in. We’re lucky when we break even. And we’re one of the select few if and when we turn a profit. I’m still not there yet.
Buy directly from the designer. You’ll not only save from the retail mark-up, you’ll ensure the designer actually gets compensated for their work. Long live Etsy. Or at least, long live the non-evil retailers. I still realize I have so much to learn about this industry. And I’m learning, one mistake at a time.