Delivered

I am officially a Henri Bendel vendor. I dropped off my 59 headbands today. It took me two weeks to finnish all the merchandise, and at times I was feeling like I might miss my delivery. But it all came together and I made my "X-Factory" date -- retail lingo for when merchandise leaves the factory :-)  

Of course, I have a long list of people to thank -- my amazing sister for working her magic in AI, Bessma's mother for helping me glue buttons, and Amanda for taking care of all the invoice and packaging slip templates. I have an amazing community of friends and family and now I am a ready for all the amazing things that are about to take place...

Elated

Henri Bendels picked 7 styles to merchandise!!!!!! And I am going to have several trunk shows. I am beyond elated!!!!! Well no time for blogging. The next few weeks is all about headbands and getting my LLC in order!!!!

Fashion Honors

I woke up so excited this morning. I have an appointment with the accessories buyer for Henri Bendels, as a follow up to last week's Open See. 

As I was at the gym on the elliptical machine, I started reflecting my time in the fashion industry and the various fashion related events that have put me over the top and made me really elated. Fashion isn't everything in life, but these things have put a really big smile on my face...

Here is my list

• Getting accepted to Parsons
• Seeing Oscar de la Renta on a weekly basis as an intern
• Assisting with Oscar de la Renta's Bridal Week Fashion Show
• Going to a photo shoot the second day of my internship at Women's Wear Daily
• Working backstage at Olympus Fashion Week and getting to dress the models
• Going to the Olympus Fashion Week -- every time I am in the tents I am on cloud nine
• Getting emails from Tamryn (Aerie Pre Production Manager) saying how much she appreciated me and all the work I was doing for her
• Seeing my headbands on display at Debut New York
• Getting a call back to Henri Bendels

New York Times Article on Henri Bendel's Open See

At Henri Bendel, Wannabes Welcome - The Moment Blog - NYTimes.com

Memories of Friends that will be Friends Forever!

I am so excited for April and May and July!!!! Jaime is coming to visit, then Sarah is coming to visit, and then I fly home for Jaime's babyshower. Kealey and Sarah are helping me throw a "Harajuku Lover's " themed shower  for Jaime. 

July will bring baby Tischler and maybe a weekend trip to LA with Kealey for some trend shopping and vacation time! I sure miss my crew of girls back at home! And it is not easy being across the entire country from them! I  miss our weekly happy-hours out in Scottsdale, our Last Chance runs, running to get tea at Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Gelato Spot. All the hours we spend standing around in a parking lot because we have soo much to talk about and we spent most of the time bent over in laughter at the restaurant. The crazy dance parties with the Wielers that last until 6am, watching Kealey try and explain to Sarah R. Kelly's Trapped In The Closet music video!....ahh amazing friendships, they mean everything to me! 

Boy Style

So the posh prepster needs a little arm candy to go a long with her cutting edge style. 

I know Zac Efron is supposed to be marketed to make tween girls drool, but as his interview in Interview proclaims he wants to be cast out of the teeny-bopper role and considered for darker and more edgy roles. I can handle that. I am not going to hide my shame, I love him! 

And not just because he looks good all muddy -- see Interview's Editorial Photoshoot. I actually do like his style -- he has that relaxed, west-coast boy look. You know I love a good west coast boy, and he is from Cali!

And then there is Chase. Such a pretty boy, even without Gossip Girl's stylist Eric Damon. Just look at him in that suit. 

I admire a boy who has good style. It probably stems from the fact that my father was an extremely sharp dresser. He loved his Armani suits and he had the best collection of ties.

In fact, he was the one that would take Jaime and me to Last Chance. He was the king of bargain shopping. He could find that one amazing piece, and it of course would be discounted or on sale. He had a knack for it. And being an architect, I think he just had an eye for what worked -- maybe it's in my blood :-)

Growing up I went shopping more with my father than my mother for clothes. Sure, she dragged us around in search of the perfect handbag or shade of lipstick, but it was my dad who had the eye and talent for dressing his girls stylishly. 

I miss those shopping trips. And I miss my parents...gone but never forgotten....

Henri Liked Me

My day started at 2:30am so that I could be in line by 4am. By the time I got to Henri Bendel's there were already seven other people ahead of me for the Open See event. The lady that was first in line had gotten there at 1am!!!!

I opted for the fashionista-look, meaning my open-toe, Chloe' , 4-inch-platforms and a cropped, sculptural jacket from Zara that was very Oscar de la Renta -- which of course offered no protection against the wind and chill, over a little black dress.  But as one designer explicitly proclaimed "This is F**ing Henri Bendel's, you have to play the part!" Okayyy, check, style accomplished, just five hours to see if my collection will make the cut. 

Jen Tan-Chi was in line behind me, so we got to visit, and my friend Berit was a doll and got there at the crack of dawn to help be my assistant.  I am so thankful for her help!

After five hours of waiting, you had less than 2 minutes to present your collection. My professor, Tom Handley from Parsons, had told me about a friend of his that was working the event. And she was the one that ended up reviewing my headbands, it was meant to be! She was really enthusiastic and she immediately pulled over the head buyer and had her look at my headbands. 

They gave me their card and said they wanted me to come back for a full appointment. In "Bendel Speak" that means everything. A lot of designers left with no business cards, and I guess from the past those with cards and an appointment were "in". It felt like I was trying out for a play and I got a call-back.  

I made a lot of great connections standing in line and met a lot of fun designers. People came from all over the country, and even the world -- Brazil, Canada, Chicago, LA, Miami, Atlanta. It was interesting to see everyone else's creativity and how they presented themselves and their goods. 

My adrenaline kept me going and now I am absolutely ready to crash. But Amanda is cooking me an amazing dinner with the boys in my honor, so I am off to celebrate for a bit...and watch some 24, Heroes, and Gossip Girl -- have to get some more inspiration for the next round. Well more from Blair and Serena, Jack and Peter - not soo much ;-)