smelling summer

Weather in Sydney today - Just gorgeous! One the one hand i cannot wait for summer because of my new range of dresses and pretty things, and on the other i want to plead with it to wait because I'm not ready!!

Why oh why am i not a millionaire with celebrity and media contacts as my bffs? And why oh why did i not study fashion 10 years ago so i could do everything the easy way!

My struggle this week has been money if you haven't already guessed, I did my pattern making, got the sampling done, then calculated how much it would cost me to get just 30 dresses out there and geeeez!

So now, its back to the drawing board -

Problem: I cant afford to do the full summer range as I'd dreamed it.

Options: Quit, Borrow money and spend it all or change something

Solution: I cant live with quitting or owing people money so its option 3. Adapt and change.

Outcome: TBC xxx

Can fashion help the poor?

I just read an article on the mamamia blog 'How to tell if your job adds value to the world or not:http://bit.ly/oXcLlY #mmia'

The article bought to my attention for the 100000th time since i started 'sticks' " why am i doing this" and " is it benefiting humanity in any way?"

I know as a stylist/designer/illustrator/film worker that doesn't seem like something I've ever worried about, but as Ive gotten older and news of the world and all the poverty and suffering seems to be getting worse and worse, and how can i, ethically and with integrity go about and design pretty little things while some woman my age is losing her youngest baby because she cant afford to feed it, while her elder children are working in some factory for pittance?

How can i change the world? better yet, how can what i do help change the world? Of course I'm not egotistical enough to think i alone can change the world but i believe that every little bit helps.

Maybe this will be my new mission - Instead of the leggings story, my new mission will be' how to help change the world with a fashion label?.

hmmm.... lets see.....

FABRICS FABRICS FABRICS!!!

For the last 2 days I've been to a hundred different meeting over 300 hundred cups of tea and looking at so many gorgeous fabrics it makes me weep with joy! My entire work table, coffee table and couch is covered with swatches of silks and cottons from all over the world. Lesson #5678 i've learnt as a self taught fashion designer - Its a good idea to have a look at fabrics first, fall in love and then sit and design! I designed first, only to find that not only could i not find the perfect fabric to use on my designs, I fell in love with fabrics that are now making me re think my whole collection for summer! Here is my mood board that has been getting me inspired. And Lesson #8767 - don't ever let obstacles get in your way. I live in a tiny apartment and for months have been moaning about lack of wall space to do my mood board on, and viola!, inspiration hit and now they are covering all of my husband's photographs in the kitchen! xxx

where did the time go?!

hello leggings lovers,

Its been a crazy few month, hence why it has taken me so long to write another entry. I am now the proud owner of 2 collections that is currently in my studio aka my lounge room, and now the marketing pr and all that is business begins!

The joy of running my own business far outweighs the stress of the amount of work i have to do, and thats what keeps me going. I love every part of 'sticks'. i love when people want to buy my product, i love when i see someone wearing it, i love dreaming about the pieces i'm going to be adding in very soon!

so fingers crossed they will soon be everywhere!

And, Wait for it.... I finally have a WESBITE !! sticks leggings

Check out the winter and spring ranges available for sale and wholesale.

xxx

countdown....

Its been a long time since i've written, its been a crazy roller coaster of a few weeks! long story short, i now have a lounge full of leggings, and more to come tomorrow, i've had labels made.. i've spent a fortune on fabric.... researched bags and hangers... gotten into paddington markets.... bought public liability insurance for 10 million... i have 4 days before d day, 2 days before i know my spot at the markets, i still have to sew on the labels.. get my swing tags happening and price everything!!! this little business is turning out to be a big business. I've realised that there is no such thing as running a business in a small way. you're either all in or nothing.. and i guess I'm all in! On Sunday i shot my leggings on the very leggy and beautiful Olivia coyne, courtesy of Bella models, and i love every shot! cant wait to show everyone the rest of it!

and something else, everyone keeps telling me i have to wear the leggings every day to advertise them, I've worn it everyday and i love it to bits, especially now as i find its warmer than anything else i own, but the problem is i don't have anything to wear it with! I've had to go out shopping in search of cute little tunics and tops that show them off... the things i do for my business!

xxx

Markets here i come!

Its been a crazy few days...

I've decided on the date finally, 29th of may, hopefully at paddington markets, all depending on how my interview goes on Wednesday...fingers crossed! Thank you to the Lovely Janet at paddington markets who squeezed me in even though all interview spots were taken for the next 2 months... I guess the universe is working with me on this one!

So far I've made a few samples in my home sweat shop above and trialed it on a few people.. though really it was just a great excuse to drink wine, and giggle with the girls... all looking great so far.

Today i bought some gorgeous fabrics to sample with, and that's what I'll be doing all weekend. Hello late nights and goodbye social life.... for a month anyway..

xxx

Juggling

The last 2 days I've been pattern making , testing, sewing, redoing it all over and over again until I'm satisfied, and I'm so exhausted. I know that its smart to keep the full time job while i start a business but to those people who've done it this way, how??!! How do you keep the motivation up, how do you not get sick of it and not just want to go back to relaxing with a glass of wine after work?

I suppose i know why, work is good but its not mine so therefor not fulfilling. I need to have something that's mine, something that i have dreamed up and can create. Some people are happy to go into work everyday and go home and do it day after day forever, but not me. I'm made different, and whether this works or not, no matter how tired i am, I'm still having an absolute ball!! Its not about the destination but the journey and all... right?

So that's what this will be for me, no pressure to become an entrepreneurial genius, to just have fun everyday and create in anyway i can dream up.

and now, back to it! Tonight i have to cut the patterns up in all the fabrics i have, and tomorrow make them all up. The final samples, woohoo!

xxx