Fashion Illustration

Last week I told my Sample Setback tale of woe.  While I was busy fretting, two folks chimed in with great comments.

Teresa nicely suggested a fashion illustrator while Dan Rudman gave me a much-needed kick in the pants saying, “I also believe that — if needed — you could find a way to launch *without* the photo shoot. Granted, having the photos would be great, but what if they aren’t there in time? How about sketches?”

Ohhh…right…I could put on my big girl panties and frickin’ FIGURE IT OUT.  What a crazy idea!

Yesterday I went to Stitch to discuss packaging.  While I was we there we also talked about the web site and guess what?  They’d come across a fashion illustrator recently.  Of course, they though of me since I wrote a whole blog post on how I was obsessed with Ruben Toledo.

Since I wrote about how much I loved fashion illustration would THINK I would have THOUGHT of that MYSELF.  However, that’s one of the great things about hashing all my issues out in this open forum.  I can count on a little help from my friends.

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Notebook Hunt

I can only keep track of one or two notebooks.  Right now, I have a cavalcade of legal pads with notes from all kinds of projects.  This does not work on many, many levels.

Miquelrius DCK Notebooks

Of course, you already know I can’t just go down to the local CVS and buy any old notebook to be my one and only.  It has to be good-looking!  After a long hunt and asking for lots of suggestions, I’ve got the vast field narrowed down to three choices.

Miquelrius – DCK Colours Notebook 4
$7.99
Pros: Recommend by my team at Stitch Design Co, light, four-color section in each notebook, priced right
Cons:  Not in love with the colors

Mini Binders

Russell + Hazel – Mini Binder
$16 for the binder plus $10 for paper and $12 index dividers
Pros: Beautiful colors and design, a binder system would be easier to expand and achieve
Cons: Expensive but tempting, a binder could be too bulky to carry around

EcoSystem – Large Author
$18.95

EcoSystem Notebook$18.95

Pros: COLOR!  (I love it), nice large size for tons of note taking and list making
Con: Does not easily divide so I may need to get more than two

***Aspirational Notebook***
This is the notebook I’m saving for when I make the big money.  It was recommended to me by Kristin Appenbrink, an editor at Real Simple, so you know its got to be good.

Graphic Image

Graphic Image – Leather Goatskin Notebook
$92
Pros: Would be proud to pull it out of any Alesya Bag, beautiful and versatile metallic color, refillable
Con: Price

So, which one do you like the best?  Do you have a notebook you love?  I’ll let you know my final choice shortly.

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If Its Friday, It Must Be Good News

Holy smokes!  Another Friday already!  Well, by now you know what that means.  A round-up of this week’s good news:

1. Yesterday I met with a great fulfillment partner.  His family has been in the mailing and printing business for several generations in other parts of South Carolina.  Now he’s bringing the business to Charleston.  He was very willing to work with me, had lots of good ideas and I was happy to hear the company could handle most print jobs.  I’m still waiting for some info, but it seems very promising.

2.  My logo isn’t done.  At first glance, this might sound like bad news.  But wait!  Its actually good news because Stitch is fixing something I wasn’t comfortable with and happy to do so.  Now that’s a great partner.

3.  Speaking of Stitch….you guessed it, I picked them to be my design partner for AlesyaBags.com.  I was so happy with the logo work it was the natural choice.  They recommended Mathew Smith to do the background programming and after already answers 341 questions for me I know he’s a great choice too.  I’m excited to start site development at the end of this year!

4.  I’m considering using a PR firm.  My background is in marketing and public relations, so its tempting to do it myself.  Or at least wait until I’m more established.  But I’ve been convinced I need to at least investigate the possibilities – and so I am.

5.  Late last week Kate Trogvac from the #1 lens on Squidoo (my dream PR win, in case you forgot)  tweeted me the following: @Alesya Flattery will get you everywhere 😉 I will be delighted to review your bag!! And, yes, a happy dance took place after I read it.

Since we’re dancing, let’s jump right into the weekend.  Last week, I started a new feature where I write about something other than the business.  (All work is pretty boring, right?)  Thanks to Real Simple on Twitter it was very popular.  This weekend I’ll be talking about Halloween decor.  I’m sure many of you will be spending your weekend carving pumpkins so please join me, I’d love to see what’s on your door step.

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Good News Friday

It’s another good news Friday!  Here’s an update:

1. My PIN came!  Whoo-hoo!  I can wire money overseas.  NICE.

2.  Yesterday I received my revised logos.  LOVED them.  Not a bad one in the bunch.  After talking with the ladies from Stitch Design Co. I’ve found I can incorporate a lot of the ideas I like into other design elements of my brand.  I’ve narrowed down the actual logo to two choices.  As big marketing geek, this is really exciting stuff.

3.  Today is National Day in China and there is a national holiday through October 7th.  Before Wendy went on holiday she made sure to check in with me, confirm the bag changes and get the leather and hardware samples ready to send.  Also, she told me they are going to ship the products on their account so I don’t have to set up my own just yet.  Awesome.

4.  Thanks to my husband and one of our handy friends all the IKEA furniture is set up in my office.  My father helped me get all the needed office supplies so the whole operation should be fully functional sometime this month.

5.  Yesterday I applied for a free seminar with the almighty Seth Godin.  If you are a woman entrepreneur I highly encourage you to apply as well.  Even if you don’t get in, the process will make you evaluate your business.  And if you do get in, please tell me all about it!

That’s all the news for this week.  Hope your Friday is full of good news too.

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Sex of the City

Rainbow Row - One of many reasons why Charleston, South Carolina is female.

Filled with anticipation I met with Stitch Design Co. yesterday to get the first glimpse of my logo.  They created several versions, some of which had Charleston associated with them.  Something (but way cooler and better designed) like this:

Alesya Bags
Charleston

It was very interesting because it wasn’t something I’d thought of but I immediately liked it.  Also, everyone else who has seen the logo choices likes it too.

When you add cities to your logo it says something.  Maybe it says you’re worldly and fashionable (New York, Paris, Malian).  Maybe it says you’re global (San Francisco, Tokyo, London).  Maybe it says you’re hip (Los Angeles, Miami, Amsterdam).

I subscribe to the theory that not only does every major city have characteristics and a personality, but it also has a gender.  For instance:

London:  Male
Paris:  Female
Chicago:  Male
New York:  Female
San Francisco:  Male
Los Angeles:  Female
Detroit:  Male
Santa Fe:  Female

Charleston is most definitely female.  With its lush greenery, beautiful historic homes and charming downtown it couldn’t be anything else.

But more than that the people are genuine, kind and cosmopolitan.   There’s a focus on fashion and independent retailers.  You can almost smell the entrepreneurial spirit in the air.  Add all this to the nearby ocean and it’s certainly a city where you don’t mind having your name attached.

I love Charleston.  The city is a wonderful place for both my business and my family.  It’s already attached to my address.  Time will tell if its attached to my logo too.

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