The Price of Fashion

Hi Happy New Year!! It's my 1st post of the New Year and I'm excited.. I'm REALLY trying to get into this blogging thing for you all.. SO todays post is about the cost of custom pieces and how much $$ time it takes to make a piece. So many people come to me wanting a piece but they don't want to pay the right price for it. It gets on my nerves because of the following: 

 #1. I was some big name designer you'd pay no problem.

#2. So many designers lower their rates for a sale that people don't understand its true value; and lastly but not least. 

#3. Garments and product that is massed produced will 99.999999% of the time be less expensive because you are paying a bulk rate by the quantity that was ordered using fabric and what not that has been already paid for and put aside for this purpose etc. etc. 

For New Years Eve I made this fab sequin skirt and I want to share with you how much I would probably charge if I sold it to private clients outside of a collection price. Take note at the Price of Fashion....

This maxi skirt was inspired by a tutorial put up by Mimi G (www.MimiGStyle.com) So I started by making the pattern which after taking a few easy measurements took me about 20 mins to make. For pattern making I charge $30.00 p/hr (If less than a hour is used you are billed for one whole hour). 

Next I had to buy the fabric; The heavy sequin is $25 per yard. The skirt was lined and the lining fabric was $4 per yard. To find the amount of yardage needed I had to do the following math: length of the skirt in inches x 2 (front & back) / by the height of the roll of fabric (36'') = I came up with 3 yards of fabric needed. In total I spent $87.00 on fabric. I paid $1.00 for a yard of elastic. The total on fabric and supplies is $88.00 

I spent about 3.5 hours cutting fabric and sewing. I charge $20 an hour for cutting and sewing. That totals $70.00

So with no inflation this maxi sequin skirt would cost $188.00 if requested by a private client. Sequin is no easy fabric to work with nor is  it inexpensive so this is why for a custom sequin skirt it would be almost $200.00 

A lot of people might not say it's worth it but why is it not? It's custom made for you, made by a skilled hand with sourced fabric by your request. If my name was Galliano people wouldn't blink at spending $200.00 on a full length sequin skirt. I don't understand why so many people wont do the same for small business' and emerging fashion houses... 

What say you Fashion Lovers?

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia 

Stylist Spotlight.......

Today's Stylist Spotlight is L'Wren Scott! 

Photo Credit: NYMag

This beauty is the beautiful girlfriend of Rockstar Mick Jagger but is very much a stable woman on her own. She was 1st a model and now is is a great celebrity stylist. She doesn't let much get out about herself especially who she styles but I found out that she's great friends and has styled both Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. 

L'Wren Scott has been a highly influential celebrity stylist since 2009, she contributed designs for Madonna to wear in her photo shoot with model Jesus Luz for W Magazine and in 2011, Scott styled actress Julia Roberts for a W Magazine shoot, alongside Tom Hanks.

She has also designed costumes for such films as Diabolique (1996 remake), Ocean's Thirteen, Eyes Wide Shut, as well as Shine a Light, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger, with whom she has been romantically linked since 2001.

L'Wren Scott is also a designer and her first collection was Little Black Dress, launched in 2006. The collection presented an array of black dresses, including her now famous Headmistress dress worn by Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz and Amy Adams have all worn Scott's dress.

L'Wren in her famous Headmistress dress

In 2010, Scott collaborated with Lancôme to design a capsule collection for the 2010 holiday season featuring a lipstick in Scott's signature bordeaux color. The campaign was shot by photographer Mario Testino and featured model Daria Werbowy wearing an outfit designed by Scott. May 2011 saw the launch of Scott's first collection of handbags, named "Lula" after her mother. The line was launched at Barneys New York, with a personal appearance by Scott.

I love her because her style is tailored and sophisticated. She keeps it low key in her work and her personal life which I LOVE and aspire to be like!! I loathe that people want to damn near know your social security number before the know if they want to buy your clothes. ANNOYING!! 

Her latest work is with the store Bannana Republic & it's on sale NOW!! Check out some looks below... (Photos Curtosy of Bananna Republic) 

Check out BanannaRepublic.com for      shopping!!  

Look for her credits when you can find them.. He he.. 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

UPDATES!!!

Hey Fashion Lovers!! New updates to the website Check out the new images in the gallery of the 2012/2013 Collection and the new Homepage Image. Click the pic to view the updated site!!

Love You All!!

Fashionably Yours,
ImaniLia

Mogul Mondays: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani was born on July 11,1934. He is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company,Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013.

Now lets go back in time and start from the beginning....

After his stint in the armed forces, Armani found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a department store in Milan. He went on to become a seller for the menswear department, in which capacity he gained valuable experience in the marketing aspect of the fashion industry. In the mid-1960s, Armani moved to the Nino Cerruti company, for which he designed menswear. His skills were in demand, and for the next decade, while continuing to work for Cerutti, Armani also freelanced, contributing designs to as many as ten manufacturers at a time. In the late 1960s, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, an architectural draftsman, which marked the beginning of a personal and professional relationship that lasted for many years. In 1973, Galeotti persuaded him to open a design office in Milan, at 37 corso Venezia. This led to a period of extensive collaboration, during which Armani worked as a freelance designer for a number of fashion houses, including Allegri, Bagutta, Hilton, Sicons, Gibò, Montedoro, and Tendresse. The international press was quick to acknowledge Armani's importance following the runway shows at the Sala Bianca in the Pitti Palace in Florence. The experience provided Armani with an opportunity to develop his own style in new ways. He was now ready to devote his energy to his own label, and in 1975 he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in Milan, with his friend Galeotti. In October of that same year, he presented his first collection of men's ready-to-wear for Spring and Summer 1976 under his own name. He also produced a women's line for the same season.

In 1979, after founding the Giorgio Armani Corporation, Armani began producing for the United States and introduced the Mani line for men and women. The label became one of the leading names in international fashion with the introduction of several new product lines, including G. A. Le Collezioni, Giorgio Armani Underwear and Swimwear, and Giorgio Armani Accessories. In the early 1980s the company signed an important agreement with L'Oréal to create perfumes and introduced the Armani Junior, Armani Jeans, and Emporio Armani lines, followed in 1982 by the introduction of Emporio Underwear, Swimwear, and Accessories. A new store was opened in Milan for the Emporio line, followed by the first Giorgio Armani boutique. Armani's concern for the end user culminated in the development of a more youthful product with the same level of stylistic quality as his high-end line, but at a more accessible price.

Armani is the man we always can look to for great tailored Italian style.. a great Fashion mogul to look to when molding your career. Study your craft, Hard work and dedication pays off. So get to work Fashion Lovers!!!! 

Mogul Mondays(LATE EDITION!): Miuccia Prada

Today's Late Edition of Mogul Mondays is a bit late but none the less totally worth it!! Spotlight on Miuccia Prada!! 

Prada was born in Milan, the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the company of the same name. Miuccia and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978. Since then, they've turned it into a fashion powerhouse, acquiring Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co. She is a collector of contemporary art and owns several personal artworks. In 2002, she opened a contemporary art space, Fondazione Prada, which exhibits work by various international artists. Prada announced the winner of the 2010 Turner Prize. She was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over 50s by the Guardian in March 2013.

Miuccia Prada was born on May 10, 1949 in Milan, Italy. She attended The High School Liceo Classico Berchet in Milan. After graduating with a PhD in political science, Miuccia attended Teatro Piccolo to study and perform as a mime for five years. She was known to be a member of the Communist party and a champion for women’s rights during the seventies in Milan. In 1978 she entered into her family’s business of manufacturing luxury leather bags, a company established by her grandfather in 1913. Around the same time Miuccia met her now husband and business partner, Patrizio Bertelli. In 1985, Miuccia had her first hit when she designed a line of black, finely woven nylon handbags that instantly became a hit. By 1989, Miuccia designed and introduced her first women’s ready-to-wear collection that was critically acclaimed; men’s wear followed in 1995. Miu Miu was introduced in 1992 as a less expensive women’s wear line that was inspired by Miuccia’s personal wardrobe and nickname. Miuccia was honored with the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 1993. The following year she showed her collections in both New York’s and London’s fashion week, although she had already become a staple of Milan’s fashion week. Miuccia’s husband, Patrizio Bertelli, is still the predominant business force in the company who is responsible for the commercial side of products and Prada’s retail strategy.

Miuccia Prada is known for her understated, minimalist, classic, cool, and comfortable luxury. The company has expanded into leather goods, shoes, fragrances, and apparel for both men and women. Prada currently has about 250 stores in 65 countries. 

Miuccia Prada Fun Facts

She's a Taurus just like ME! 

Prada is worth 12.4 Billion Dollars!! (THAT'S WHY SHE'S A MOGUL)

Late Edition: Wednesdays Fashion Tips and Tricks to Get You through the Week!!

Every Fashionista has Fashion Tips and Tricks in her back pocket that get her through those emergency moments so check put the list below of 10 fashion Tips and Tricks that will get you out of a bind!! 

Look for different Fashion Tips and Tricks every Wednesday!!! 

1. Use white wine to remove red wine stains.

2. Remove odors from vintage or thrift clothing by spritzing them with a mixture of one part vodka, two parts water.

     

3. “Remove white deodorant marks from a garment by gently rubbing the protective foam used on hangers against the fabric.” — Jonathan Simkhai, designer

4. Fake designer bags are a huge don’t, fake diamond studs are a huge do. Faux stones are hard to spot to the untrained eye.

5. “Never put a garment on immediately after ironing, as this can actually cause new wrinkles to form. Instead, let it sit for five minutes to set the press.” — Althea Harper, Designer and Rowenta Brand Ambassador

(I think I'm the only 20 something that still irons but still.. LOL)

6. Snap clip-on earrings onto flats for an instant evening shoe, or onto shirt collars for DIY embellishments.

7. Pour a dash of vodka into vase water to extend the life of your flowers.

8. Spray tights with sticky (read: cheap) hairspray to avoid holes and runs.

9. Blot, don’t rub, when you spill something on your clothes. Wiping or rubbing will actually further ingrain the stain into the weave.

10. “Use hairspray to remove a lipstick stain.” – Kaelen Haworth, designer, KAELEN

I hope these tips help you out and remember to look out every Wednesday for new tips and tricks!!!

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Stylist Spotlight

Celebrities usually look really good 90% of the time we see them and often it is not done on their own so check out one of the women that helps some of our favorite gals look their best!!

Stylist Petra Flannery

This beautifully stylish woman is Petra Flannery. She is a Los Angeles based stylist who was born in San Francisco. Flannery is most recognized for clean, classic sophisticated looks. Through her extensive experience as a stylist, she has cultivated a professional and well-honored approach to her craft, quickly forming a lasting presence in the industry. 

Emma Stone

Flannery's best-dressed clients include Emma Stone (winning looks: Calvin Klein at the Globes and Chanel at Vanity Fair's fete Not pictured), Mila Kunis (winning looks: lavender Elie Saab at the Oscars (pictured below) and Alexander McQueen at the SAGs) and Zoe Saldana. Before making Steinfeld a red-carpet one-to-watch, Flannery created Saldana's elegant, avant garde style during last year's Avatar awards campaign, including the daring lavender Givenchy Haute Couture she wore on Oscar Night 2010 (Not pictured).

Mila Kunis

Zoe Saldina

Last year Petra was singled out as one of "The 25 most Powerful stylists in Hollwood", topping the list at number 3. Of her many projects and collabrations, shemost recently launched a capsule collection for Genetic Denim's Visionaries Initative for the 2011 Holiday collection.  
She is surely a stylist to pay attention to. So Thank You Petra Flannery for helping the world be a more beautiful place 

Mogul Mondays Has Begun

EVERY MONDAY we're going to highlight a Fashion Mogul that is an inspiration to us all in some way. I mean they've made it so we all need to take note. The 1st mogul up is someone I personally adore for my own personal reasons and that is Sarah Blakely the founder of Spanx!!!  

         

Sarah Blakely is originally from Florida and originally planned to become an attorney but changed her mind after less than stellar scores on the LSAT's. she in turn worked various odd jobs including working at Disney World, stand up comedy and selling doors door to door. The selling door to door was the sole inspiration for creating Spanx alone. After making many self prototypes and shopping the idea around to manufactures who had no interest she moved to Atlanta, and while still working at Danka, spent the next two years and $5,000 she had set aside in her savings researching hosiery patents and visiting craft stores to find the right material for her product. Eventually coming upon a solution, she wrote her own patent from a Barnes & Noble textbook and incorporated her company under the name Spanx. She eventually found a hosiery factory in Asheboro, North Carolina, which was willing to make her product. She successfully pitched her idea to Neiman-Marcus by personally taking the buyer to the ladies restroom to show her the benefits of Spanx in person. Bloomingdales, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman soon followed. She handled all aspects of the business from marketing, logistics, and product positioning (preferring that Spanx be sold alongside shoes rather than in hosiery). In November 2000, Oprah Winfrey named Spanx her favorite product of the year and sales took off; soon after Blakely resigned from Danka. Spanx had $4 million in sales in its first year and $10 million in sales in its second year.In 2001, she signed a contract with QVC, the home shopping channel, where she sold 8,000 pairs in the first six minutes.

SARAH DID IT!!! She worked hard and persevered; and at a young age came with something unique and made a way for herself. at 42 years old she is still a young designer and a billionaire to boot!! 

Sarah also has a philanthropic side since Spanx started she has been putting money aside and in 2006 she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training.

Sarah inspires me to continue to be different and motivated as well as reminds me that even if I become MAJOR 15 years from now I will still be young in fashion years so I will continue to strive for my dreams. I know I can make it!!! 

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia 

All It Takes...

Last night I spent time updating blogs, checking my various email accounts, prepping for my upcoming photo shoot next weekend, going over budgets, paying bills etc.. and I got to thinking of what all this (owning, operating, & managing your own brand) takes & you know what......It's A LOT its no wonder as a One Woman Show I can't always get it all done but i'm going to keep trying until as they say the wheels fall off.

As an independent emerging designer with no trust fund or rich family members by my side this is a list of all I'm juggling daily. I used to have an assistant & a publicist but having that outside help costs money I could no longer afford so now it's all me. Here's a list of what I try to maintain daily... 

• 2 Twitter Accounts (1 personal, 1 business) 
• A Facebook Fan page 
• A personal Facebook page 
• A tumblr blog 
• This blog 
• A monthly newsletter 
• Birthday Incentives for Previous Clients 
• An Instagram Account
• Keep my website Updated 
• A Linked In Account 
• A Pinterest Account 
• Finding shows worth doing
• Finding interview opportunities & speaking engagements 
• Maintaining client work 
• Setting up promotional shoots, videos etc 
• Building new collections 
• Working with various Stylists 
• Maintaining an online Store & trying to get buyers 

This is a conservative list i'm sure i'm missing something(s) BUT I'm doing all this while working 40+ hours a week as a shoe designer. Attempting & failing miserably at being outgoing & social both personally & professionally, finding time & money in there somewhere to sleep, eat, meditate (HA I wish!), spend time with family blah blah bah.... 

Now don't get me wrong I'm not complaining this is just A LOT to maintain alone. Am I wrong? But I have passion & determination so I'll get it all done. I honestly can't afford much of a personal life because these things aren't free. Anyone who has a small business knows you put out a lot before you see any return & I'm ok with that. 

Everytime I reach a personal goal within ImaniLia Fashions it's all worth it. Like this rebranding process that is coming together. I will find an investor by 2014 or sooner!! (You have to speak these things into existence)

So thank you all for your continued support and listening ears. Your patience and understanding. Your kind words and warm hearts. Day by day all i'm trying to do is grow and serve you better.

ImaniLia :D

African American Designers Show up and Show Out at NYFW! A bit of a rant..

I was cleaning my inbox and I cam across this fantastic article. I am so proud of these designers mentioned in the attached article but I have some feelings about how we as a people are progressing in the industry. Read my rant below and click on the link at the end to get the info on some great designers that are right under your nose and they happen to be African American.

Do you agree with me? Did you enjoy the article?

This is how I felt after reading about these great people... Are we our own downfall? I sure do think so!

This is great that more African American designers are making themselves known at Fashion Week. The crazy thing is I know more than a couple of people on this list and it makes me think why not me??? I'm trying to patiently build, grow, and wait for my time to show the world how great I am.. 

I think the real problem in the African American design community is that no one wants to help each other.. When other designers ask me for advice I openly give it with out hesitation to the best of my ability. The advice doesn't always go both ways tho... I know I have asked other designers that are 1 or 2 steps ahead of me and the response is always.. "Girl i'm just grinding", "keep hustling" ummm thats not helping me... 

You want to see more African American Designers out there well then we need to help each other.. Stop walking past people like you have never met them, Never did a low budget show with them, never went to school with them, never had a conversation with them etc!!!

*End Rant!

Congrats to the people on this list!! And all the other designers I know that are doing their thing African American or not.

Click the link to see where this all stemmed from... It will all make sense.. I promise
African American Designers Shine Bright At Fashion Week