Happy New Year! January is the time of year where we all begin to start over with the things we never did last year. Suddenly the gym is packed, our meals are healthier, we've reconnected with old friends, and we've begun to tackle the cluttered areas of our home. A few weeks go by and we start to slack off again.
Last January my resolution was to launch my website and work really hard to help it succeed. I was stuck in a marketing job that wasn't well suited for my design aspirations, however it gave me the drive to push Modern Material further. I received dozens of requests to feature Modern Material on blogs, fashion shows, in boutiques, in a magazine, celebrity gift baskets, style giveaways, and charity events. I felt I needed to be very selective in donating items for exposure, and had to turn away many requests. With very little budget to start my line, I haven't been able to spend any money on advertising, therefore relying heavily on social network sites, indie designer directories, and word of mouth. Sales started coming in from customers around the world who happened to find my site somehow online. Florida, California, Wisconsin, Ohio, Washington, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, Canada, Scotland, England, and France. Although I don't get orders frequently, each order reminds me that it is possible to take this further. So Resolution No. 1 is to get back online and post my site on as many websites as possible and make as many friends on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and the designer networks I am a part of.
I haven't dedicated much time to promotion or development since last spring if you haven't noticed. I started a new job in the summer as a product designer with a vendor who manufactures for dozens of major fashion retail brands. I design and embellish bags, slippers, flip flops, compact mirrors, hair accessories, sleep masks, pillows, plush, prints, graphic tees, and packaging. It is very inspiring to be back in the fashion accessory scene full time. I was afraid it might burn me out, preventing me from working on my own line. Instead it has taught me more and keeps me in the loop of what trends are hitting the market. As a result I'm happier and more focused.
I have designed several new pieces of jewelry over the past year, mainly because it is fun and doesn't require the up front expense of printing graphic tees. The Couture Tee was an idea I developed for Gwen Stefani's gift basket, and it seems to be receiving the most attention on my website. Resolution No. 2 is to expand on this category. I have been getting very frustrated because every time I start to develop a design using a tee from American Apparel, I find out it will be discontinued. It would be hard to full fill larger orders to boutiques or popular demand of a specific item when I can't reorder materials. However, with the Couture Tee collection, the idea is that it is a unique item with very limited quantities.
Resolution No. 3 is to figure out a way to be able to afford to sell wholesale to more boutique stores. I had several lined up last year, but decided not to pursue many of them. There are 2 boutiques in Albuequerque, NM that have a large assortment of Modern Material products in their shops. I soon realized I could never sell my products to boutiques with the retail rates I set. I started off thinking I needed to compete with this major retail brands like Old Navy and Forever 21 that offered trendy apparel and accessories yet at much lower prices. I didn't want to be pricey like other major retailers like Abercrombie, Express, Banana Republic, etc. But I have to be. It's just me. I don't develop anything in China for next to nothing like the big guys. I have a much longer blog about this, so I might as well not repeat myself. Shop Indie. Support Designers.
Resolution No. 4 is to expand on my blog. The more content I put here, the better search results I should get. I would like to be able to blog about whatever is on my mind. I'm sure it will get boring for you if everything here is about Modern Material. There is a lot more too me than my brand, although not that much =). I mentioned in my last blog that I would like to focus more on music. Well that hasn't happened...yet. There are also a lot of great TV shows I'm addicted to, which I'm sure many of you are too. For example, who is a fan of LOST? If you are we probably have a lot to talk about. Season 5 starts in less than 2 weeks and I would like to leave my weekly thoughts and theories here. I watch a lot of TV. Many shows are great for trends in fashion and music. Gossip Girl, The Hills, The City, What Not To Wear, and Grey's Anatomy (which I'm pretty much over).
Well I suppose I better finish up my rambling. Please be sure to subscribe/follow my blog and see if I follow through with my resolutions.
annie
