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Posts from the ‘Future History’ Category

Jun 14

It’s In The Paper, So It Must Be True

I’m not a big believer in horoscopes / zodiac signs / clairvoyants / fortune tellers / etc. Except when it suits me. Yesterday, it suited me quite well to suddenly put a lot of value in it.

Why? Here’s why. This was my horoscope in Sunday’s paper:

You rediscover your innate money-making streak. Venus, planet of values, hits your financial zone tomorrow and new horizons beckon. Success in an entrepreneurial venture depends on a bold start, even if the doubters have their say. A blend of conservative and radical approaches points the way in business.

Now, what else could you read in the paper that would make you feel better about chucking in your senior management job at a bank to go start your own fashion label? Nadda. That’s what. Except perhaps confirmation your lotto ticket had the necessary numbers to win division one. Even then…

May 31

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Last Week / This Week

Another week down… another week closer to all my deadlines – eep!

So, what went down last week? In summary:

  • Toiles – as you will have read (and if you haven’t where have you been?!) last Friday, I saw some of my first pieces in draft (toile) form. Much excitement ensued, because some of them were close enough to move onto samples (finished product made in the real fabric).
  • Fabric – I finally got my hands on some terrific fabrics that meet almost all my criteria… although I still have more swatches to arrive. I’ve actually taken to looking at importing some myself so am expecting a batch this week from New York and another from Italy.
  • Website – the fabulous Rob has done a terrific job on my website and I’ve seen each page mocked up now… pretty neat!
  • Business Cards - you may have read that I already have business cards and they look pretty average. Rob The Awesome has again come to the rescue and mocked some up that look unreal… just need to iron out some of the details on them and I’ll be able to head back for a reprint!
  • Challenges - stuff that frustratingly didn’t happen this week included: confirming models, hair/makeup artists and photography studios,as well as finalising my cut & sew manufacturer (although more on that below!)

So this week I have some really exciting things on my dance card:

  • Toiles – have another appointment on Wednesday to see another round of drafts for some other pieces in the first collection.
  • Manufacturer – there’s a manufacturer I’ve found who’s Melbourne-based and specialises in Australian designers. She’s been in the industry some time and prides herself on high quality. Interestingly, she won’t take just anyone as a client… you have to go pitch and tell her your vision and then she’ll decide if she’s prepared to quote. I’ve scored a meeting with her on Wednesday – yeehaw!
  • Am hopeful – that I’ll get to speak to my photographer and organise the models, hair/makeup artist and photography studio. It seems in choosing such a talented photographer I’ve got one who’s exceptionally busy and hard to catch! :) Am also hoping that I’ll hear from my knitwear manufacturer and will get to go see the toiles and mockups of my knitwear pieces. Fingers crossed…
  • Business Admin Stuff – I have a business name, but no ABN or GST registration. I also want to get a PO Box and am considering a virtual reception service too, so I need to look into all these things.  
  • Fabrics – As I mentioned above, am looking into importing my own fabrics, so am expecting a delivery of swatches from New York and another from Italy. Woot!
  • Haberdashery and Whatnot – chances are I’ll also need to get things like buttons and zips and so forth this week as well as actually ordering a short run of some of the fabrics for the pieces as they’ll be used for the samples.

I’d be tired just looking at this list, but the truth is I’m just so excited I can’t be tired. I’m running on passion.

May 24

Week That Was / Week That Will Be

*Phew*! Twas a huge week. At this stage, every single day counts for so much. It feels like success can be secured or lost on a day to day basis. The good news is as of right now, I’m ahead / on time with all elements of my project plan except the patternmaking for the cut & sew / tailored pieces.

So, what have I been up to?

Last week:

  • I met with the patternmakers and manufactures of my knitwear pieces. (My first collection has two knitwear items). Now I need to finalise some measurements (it’s tougher than you think… after years of being a consumer, I’m not sure what an ideal size is. Did you know the Australian ragtrade industry has no standard sizing?). Then, I need to scan up my trade sketches and get them over. The good news is, they’ve said I can expect my knitwear pieces to be fully sampled and production ready before I head overseas in June. Hooray!
  • I secured a photographer (Emily Abay) and set a date for my first collection shoot. Am thrilled – I feel like I’ve won lotto getting this photographer.
  • Visited a trade show that was built by the same company who is fitting out the event I’m showing at in August. It was a really good exercise in seeing just how small my suite will be (extremely) and just what it looks like when it’s built (rather cheap).
  • Saw the very first mockups for the website (you’ll get a sneak peak tomorrow… and it’s everything I hoped it would be and more).
  • Shortlisted some models and a hair/makeup artist for the first collection shoot. Hopefully I’ll get them confirmed this week! My fabulous photographer is being extremely supportive and helpful in this department.
  • Narrowed down the list of photographic studios for the first collection shoot.
  • Got prices on about a million different things, from bindings to acrylic sheets.
  • The trial run of my business cards arrived – they’re not quite right so I’ll redesign and reprint them before the show, but that’s OK :)

This week:

  • Seeing the first toiles (mockups) of the tailored pieces in my collection.
  • Confirming the models, hair & makeup artists and photographic studio for my first collection shoot.
  • Acquiring more fabric swatches and samples (this one is concerning me a bit… out of general interest, fabric suppliers are, on the whole, extremely nasty to deal with).
  • Finalising my tailored / cut & sew manufacturer

Another busy week! The funny thing is, I absolutely love it. It’s tiring, but invigorating at the same time. It’s like I’ve found my calling.

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