Autumn Is Coming! Autumn Is Coming!

This weekend I, along with a few other very talented people, will be shooting my Fall look book.  This is a total leap of faith for me, I have not really done such a fancy free outdoor shoot like this before, nor a real look book, and I'm pretty excited to see how it all turns out. Last night my friend/art director/producer came over and we started pulling things from around my studio to visualize the general palette and style of things. Once I saw everything together - the colours, the patterns, textures - I started to get even more excited. I can't wait to show you guys this next week!

Fabric Shopping

                           

When I was in New York I did a little fabric shopping and besides scouring flea markets and vintage shops, I spent some time in Manhattan's garment district. I had considered doing a bit of a guide to fabric shopping post but to be perfectly honest, I kind of lost patience and ended up only visiting about 5 shops. If you do go, I recommend googling and scouting out a few shops in advance. This is important for a few reasons, first, many of the shops are not at street level, they are located on the upper floors of non descript office towers. Second, there is SO MUCH and you will get tired and impatient, like me. Most of the shops are located around 39th and 40th and 8th and 9th - all pretty close to Penn Station. If you know what you are looking for, make a little list and go to it. Personally I know I can get most of what I need in Toronto as far as hardware, leathers etc go so I was on the hunt for a few really interesting prints. Everyone always goes to Mood and I'll concur, it is pretty good - though not my favourite. If you go to Mood though you will probably not be disappointed.  Aside from that I recommend M&J Trimmings for a mind boggling selection of trims, embellishments etc. Also, I personally love feathers so Eskay Novelty for nothing but. I also like this website as a good starting point before you embark on your journey. Good luck! 

Brooklyn Flea

So this happened. I had a chance to check out a big New York trade show last week called NY Now which was vast, and interesting. I was able to wander the city quite a bit, scouting out new shops, sourcing fabrics and the like. I was pretty excited to check out the Brooklyn Flea Market because, as I have mentioned before, the only thing I enjoy more than sourcing fabrics is shopping for vintage clothing. If you follow me over on Instagram you would have seen some of the most incredible vintage clothing shops I hit in Williamsburg. A little pricy but always cool to scout in new cities. I didn't find the flea to be all that different from the Toronto equivalent - The Junction Flea. Ok, maybe slightly better. Plus you get to look out at the iconic Manhattan skyline as you shop. Anyways, expect a few NY themed posts in the next few days as I scour through all the photos I took.

Also, I guess the trip was fairly fruitful in that I DID in fact score some wicked fabrics. AND, I am currently working hard on the Fall collection which, with any luck, will be available in a weeks time.

Ok back to work for me. Hope you are all enjoying your week!!

P.S. There is a new section in the shop - AS IS. It is where I will be putting all the bags that have minor little flaws - a common occurrance when working with antique fabrics. All still very lovely but MUCh easier on the wallet. Check them out here!

Day to Day: The August Edition

A few things from around these parts.

1. A birthday present to myself, of sorts. A special parcel from Kenya, a handmade Masai wedding collar necklace which I may or may not have the courage to wear out in public. It is so beautiful ~ for now it hangs on the studio wall to admire as I work.

2. Birthday sunflowers from a friend and orders starting to pile up for shipment tomorrow morning before I leave for New York. Any orders placed this week will ship upon my return next week.

3. Some new reading material from Toronto's amazing library. Birthday's are a great time to set some goals and plan the year ahead, can' wait to dig into these two books.

I have some exciting things planned on my trip and I can't wait to share it all with you. Plus, I am working on the Fall collection in the background, slowly and surely. Expect lot's of durable fabrics in gorgeous Fall colours with some blasts of global influences. Can't wait!

Birthday

It was my birthday over the weekend so I planned a little getaway with a few friends to a remote cabin. It was a much needed respite with lot's of sun therapy, drinks and laughs. Now it is production mode in full throttle in the studio as I rush to get all orders out before heading to New York on Wednesday. The countdown is on! Happy Monday friends, hope your weekend too was restful and fun.

Flash Sale!

A Flash sale in the shop!
40% off on anything in the shop all weekend with coupon code: ENDLESSSUMMER13

It is that time of year ~ the pending doom of Autumn and then yes, winter is coming. (sorry can't help a Game of Thrones reference.) I am getting the fall collection ready, it shall be in the shop later this month. Last chance to get your hands on any of the summer goods!