more pictures

These photos are by the very talented Portland photographer, Minh Tran, who tagged along with us all day on the day of the show. 

There are more, but I just wanted to show a few of my favorites:

(I think this is my favorite look of all)

fashion show video

Yay! My collection is done, and the show was Saturday. I'm really happy with how everything turned out and the show went well. Well, we had one mishap on the second to last gown, but it got out there briefly and made an appearance. 

I'd like to thank the lovely people who came and saw, and so so so many people who helped me put this show together: Nathan Johnson (makeup artist genius/best friend/additional PR person/saint)

Nathan McKee (for working on the music and staying up all night the night before to finish it) Faryl Robin (for the shoes) Beauty Society (makeup sponsor) Kate (Kick PR) And my interns I've been lucky to have this summer: (Ana Thompson, Kayla Cappielo, Heidi Carothers, Hilaree Hawkins). And all the lovely helpers and dressers backstage.

 I'm already excited for the next one, and determined to make it bigger and better than ever. 

 

Leanne Marshall Runway Mercedes Benz Fashion Week NY 2010 @ Yahoo! Video

spring 2010

Oh, wow. I apologize for my very long absence! I've been working solid non-stop on my Spring 2010 collection, which I'm showing during fashion week very very soon. 

I did take a break to watch the marathon of new Project Runway shows last night. I won't go into too much detail, but I was shocked and appalled that Korto did not win. It's unbelievable. Her clothes were not only the most beautiful and well-made, but her restaurant challenge dress was so amazing and, I thought, surely sealed the deal for her win. I got pretty disheartened after that. Yet again, I realized that it's all for shock and surprise and you can never tell what the judges/producers will do. It makes me sick. These new shows seem especially unpredictable so far. I guess that makes for interesting TV, but sadly it is at the expense of injustice to the designers.

I'm not sure if I'll be watching too regularly. At least not until fashion week is over with, and I can take a breather from my Spring 2010-mania. 

I'm doing my own runway show, and have aimed for a high goal of creating 25 looks. I'm currently working on #16 and #17 today, and am so happy I didn't procrastinate this time. Well, not as much. I could've started sooner, but it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I'm getting better about it. 

Here is a very quick sneak peek. Some of them may be in the collection and some may not. ;)

so happy together

Today, I reunited with a good old friend. A friend that I had been missing for quite awhile, and didn't realize just how much. We parted ways when I left Portland, and I'd assumed that that was just our fate. Until now. 

Stumptown, how could I ever forget you or try to replace you?! I even gave up coffee after a few months in NY, because even at it's best, it would never measure up to you. Today, when I saw that the cafe down the street was displaying their "Now proudly serving" sign in the window, my heart skipped a beat. 

I'd heard rumors and even read that Stumptown was opening a roastery here, but being the purist and skeptic that I am, I just somehow never thought it would be like the good stuff I know and love. Boy was I wrong.I don't even remember because I am still on a magical 3 hour buzz, but it is quite possible that I skipped and danced all the way to the office today. 

Stumptown, you are not even coffee; you are pure liquid magic. You make me feel like superwoman, a creative visionary genius, and a hummingbird all at once. You practically design all my clothes for me. Stumptown, you complete me.

I know I probably sound like I've got a problem here, but I know to keep it under control and promise not to overdo it. And I know that likely in an hour, I will be found curled up in a pile of bamboo jersey when I crash big time. 

But, sweeeeeeet joy, I am one happy, happy, dancey girl right now!!!

P.S. Portland human-friends, there is no replacement for you guys, so you will also need to relocate here as well.

 

(Photo credit: www.pinballpublishing.com)

Season 6 designers

Yay! It's so exciting to see the new crop of designers for the next season. I really hope they have a great experience with it. (Though I know it's completely done filming). I'm excited for them, and excited to watch! I need to order cable now, I suppose. 

I'm gonna go ahead and give my early favorites (even though I'm having trouble viewing the portfolios on the site, and many of their websites are under construction). I'll have to

 investigate a little more, but just based of of quick first impressions and limited research, I think ones to watch will be:

Gordana and Shirin (I love their very feminine aesthetics)

Louise Black (I remember her from her Etsy shop, and think that she has a really cool and unique point of view. And yay for Etsy designers!)

And Rodney: (I think he's got an edgy, never know what to expect thing going on, which could be fun to watch)

These are just very early impressions, and I'm sure I'm bound to develop other favorites. Good luck to all of them and I hope they enjoy every minute of it.

This is a very un-related ball of mess on my floor, but I thought it kind of looked like an art installation, so I took a picture.

today in my studio

In a fairly clean state. (That's unusual; I make big messes when I work!)

advice

Edited 6/27/09. My main intention in this post was to inform and help others in similar situations.

To any young designer, or any person running their own business, make ABSOLUTE certain of one thing: At the end, know EXACTLY how much you will be making in the deal. Never assume. Never estimate. And don't be afraid to say NO early in the beginning. Don't be afraid of making others unhappy. Definitely, get everything in writing (as one commenter mentioned). Just make careful decisions.

People probably think that fashion designers make a ton of money. But in reality, for the majority of us, that couldn't be farther from the truth. (even if we're one of the lucky ones that "makes it" so to speak.) We spend more than we bring in. We're lucky when we break even. And we're one of the select few if and when we turn a profit. I'm still not there yet. 

Long Live Etsy: I'm a huge proponent of marketplaces where you can buy directly from the designer. It ensures the designer actually gets compensated for their work. I still realize I have so much to learn about this industry. And I'm learning, one mistake at a time.