LIFE IN BLOOM

From British Vogue December, 2008

Shallow Fashion is making some serious shifts this month as I settle into my new life as a full-time freelancer.  I've just returned from a much needed sojourn to Portland, where I was able to meditate on my next moves.  (A timely getaway I set up well before any of these changes happened). 

During my trip, I practiced yoga at different studios around town in an effort to assist this process.  In one of the classes I attended, unbeknownst to me, my Pendulum Earrings caught the eye of a local designer in class.  It's funny, cause I was checking out her pants and had decided that she made them, which left me wondering how she had cut the fabric.  After class, designer Rachelle Waldie inquired about my earrings and I, about her pants.  In our conversation, I learned that she had a boutique called AEQUANIMITAS in a cool part of town on Burnside in the North East.

The next day I visited the store, where I was greeted by Heather Treadway and Meagan Hardy, two other local designers who share studio space with Rachelle in the boutique.  While I browsed the store, there were good vibes as the three of us got to know each other a little bit.  By the time I was walking out the door, I had decided that my collection fit very well in their boutique, and we all agreed that there was much room for collaboration between us.  An LA-Portland exchange was underway, and I left smiling from ear to ear... a smile that lasted a few hours I'd say.  And as if finding a boutique to carry my jewels while vacationing wasn't good enough, I even came home with a few pieces from the store as well, including Meagan's simple, yet tricky Infinity Shirt, and an awesome pair of earrings from another local designer. 

Don't know if any of y'all make it out to Portland very often, but if ever you should find yourself in that lovely town, be sure to stop by Aequanimitas to see my digs amongst other unique gems.

AEQUANIMITAS

811 E Burnside, #119

Portland, OR 97214

After this delightful experience, the wheels of my brain started turning, and I decided I had come up with a new idea: I have friends all over this country, (and the world for that matter), and now that I have an open schedule, I can travel to my friends' cities to get Shallow Fashion into stores throughout the US, or perhaps even all over the world at some point... all while traveling and visiting good friends! PLUS, I have been unofficially representing a few designer friends of mine, helping them with sales and orders; so how great would it be if I could help them get into boutiques across the country as well?! Heck yeah, I love when ideas come like that!

From here, I decided to reach out to my friend and fellow designer, Joey Pisch, who owns a boutique called SWEET JOEY'S in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to see if he wanted to carry some of my jewelery, and also to see if he'd like me to represent his line. We have been planning my visit to Asbury Park since the winter, but I thought I'd start this dialogue before my arrival.  And today, I've just received confirmation of both!  So you will also be able to find a few select pieces of my collection at his boutique, and I will be searching for the perfect home for Joey's goods in our country's greatest cities. 

Oooh, and I almost forgot!  Sweet Joey's necklaces can be found here in LA at GATHER.  If you're into found objects and unique charms, you'll love Joey's pieces.

Sweet Joey's is awesome cause Joey and his family travel to Eastern Europe, buying goods for their store.  They also make custom jeans and do denim alterations.  AND, Joey and his family have a background in vintage, so you will find some of the best vintage on the East Coast in his boutique.  If you're ever out that way, be sure to stop by and say hi to the gang, you're sure to score something treasured.

SWEET JOEY'S

523 Bangs Ave. 

Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Phew!  So much is going on, and as if this weren't enough news for one post, I am happy to report that I have finally come to an agreement in a negotiation between myself and a local fabric mill that has been in the works for a few weeks now.  The day I decided I was leaving my job, I got a phone call from a major player at one of the largest fabric mills in Los Angeles, offering me work as a fabric rep.  How's that for timing?  (And sorry, but a merge is happening, so I gotta keep the company name(s) a secret for now).  Shortly thereafter, we met and I gave the company my terms, which I will admit were pretty demanding... BUT, just yesterday we came to an agreement and I am now working with them as a freelance fabric rep.  The position is very suiting to my lifestyle, as I am free to meet with clients on my schedule, and there is room for travel in the job!  Plus, at the beginning of this year, when asked where I would like to expand in my last job, I told them that I wanted to work with fabrics more.  I didn't know that meant I would have to leave the company in order to do so, but I can't believe that I am getting what I asked for!

Man, good thing I wasn't really stressing out about being unemployed, cause it turns out I had nothing to worry about!  It all seems so easy now, but a friend of mine thoughtfully pointed out that I am simply reaping the benefits of all the work I've done in the past.  And I didn't do it on my own, either.  Any success I have found, is a direct result of strong working relationships; and in a relationship, as we all know, it takes two for any success to be had.  I'm so grateful for these relationships, and will keep this up so that I am always taken care of.  There was a point in my life where I honestly thought I was doing everything on my own, but now that I've gone through this crazy whirlwind, I am pleased to recognize that everything I've done has been a group effort all along.

Life is in bloom, and I couldn't be happier.  Much of what's to come is still up in the air, but when long forgotten planted seeds begin to sprout, I will be pleasantly surprised.  My garden is weeded and growing beautifully, and I'm so happy to share its blossoms with all of you.

Hope you're enjoying the fruits of spring, and that we meet on the dance floor soon!

Until then...

XO,

Shallow Fashion

CHECK OUT:

AEQUANIMITAS | SWEET JOEY'S | GATHER