Spring Rejuvenation

Spring is here and it feels like summer in Ohio. Only 3 months until ComFest! Time to start kicking it back in gear.

I took a bit of a hiatus with developing and promoting the brand over the past few months. In the fall I took another full time design job back at Bath & Body Works, where I first started my career. With the stress and transition period I needed a break. It's still going to be a challenge to find time, but I'm determined not to give up on Rock & Royalty. Over the past few weeks we've been working on the web store and I've been working on marketing ideas. My number one goal is to build up my online presence again. Something I haven't done in years.

I'm starting to use my Pinterest account to market the brand and run weekly promotions. It's an amazing thing if you haven't discovered it. It's inspiring while at the same time promoting the brand. I intend to run weekly coupons and special product promotions so don't miss out! They will not be available directly from the web store. I may repin a lot of my own brand images so I can keep them above the surface for other people to discover but if you follow me, you will see a bunch of other things that inspire the line.

You will notice a lot of costume ideas on my pinboards. I am starting to work on a collection called Costume Couture which I will hopefully have ready for ComFest and other summer and fall festivals before Halloween. Some of my current pieces are more costume and couture than ready to wear pieces and I would love to expand into a full collection.

I also will be launching a rewards incentive program very soon. Help promote Rock & Royalty and earn points and free stuff! Basically if you get anyone to shop with us, you will get credit for their purchase. More details to come soon.

So with all of these ideas generating I'm feeling rejuvenated and dedicated once again. Any ideas you have please feel free to send my way!

A Rock & Royalty Fairytale Romance

Here is the story of how Rock met Royalty and lived happily ever after....

 New web design coming soon...


A ROCK & ROYALTY Fairytale

In a land of beauty and privilege, there once lived a young woman who was heir to the Royal throne. Miss Alexandria Kensington had everything she ever wanted yet felt her life was missing it’s true meaning. She was expected to marry a young man, chosen by her Royal family, and carry on the legacy to one day be queen.

The Grande Masquerade Ball was quickly approaching, as was the night she would be engaged to Sir Jameson. Dozens of couture runway gowns were presented to Miss Kensington and she didn’t spot a single one that sparked her fancy. Alexandria rushed to her wardrobe and pulled out a black Vivienne Westwood gown and began cutting it to shreds. Embellishments of ruffled lace, ribbon and crystals were carefully added with fine detail, making an exquisite piece of her own. The clock struck midnight and Alexandria felt as if Tim Gunn were going to walk through the doorway and announce “Designers, time’s up.” Luckily she made it work, and was ready for her night on the runway, or rather her procession on the Royal Court.

The evening would seem magical to almost any girl, but Alexandria wanted something more. Happiness wasn't about wealth, power or privilege. It was love and freedom to live the life that eluded her. Alexandria found herself fixated on grandiose sounds from across the ballroom. She slipped away for a closer look and felt the music and lyrics resonate in her. The band was playing Coldplay's Viva La Vida, which somehow reminded her that the monarchy was ruling her life. Rock chords and classical strings blended a magical potion of love, romance, and inspiration to live life. Alexandria disappeared into the darkness, hoping to find a way to avoid the inevitable engagement. She found herself in peril among the deep forest until a light shined upon her. Up rode Ashton Kingsdale, the rock star and now her knight in shining armor, to rescue her from a kingdom of high society. He whisked her away on his white motorcycle through the streets of London. Like a rebel without a cause, Alex felt like Cinderella had just tossed her glass slippers into the Thames river, trading in prince charming for rock's own royalty.

The encounter with Ashton swept Alex away on a journey that would forever alter her life. She had to disguise herself when she would sneak way to catch the band's gigs in London. It was time to trade elegance for edge. As she entered the dark and noisy underground music scene, Alex felt out of place but enjoyed the freedom she never had. Ashton was already on stage rocking the night away. It was a romance that would be forbidden. Like the battle between Montague and Capulet, Alexandria knew her Romeo would never be accepted by her Royal family.

The secret rock & royalty romance continued for some time, then one day Ashton proposed to Alexandria. Love was in the air. She finally decided it was time to wear her heart on her sleeve, even if her family banished her from the Royal throne. After she returned home, her mother noticed the key, belonging to her heart, was no longer worn around her neck. At first her mother was astonished by her confession. Then a smile and tear appeared, for she only wished she had been strong enough to follow her own heart a long time ago.

It was then soon announced to all of the land, that a union of Rock & Royalty would one day reign with style and beauty.  It was time to live. A time to love. And a time to rock. Long Live the Rock & Roll Queen.

Rock & Royalty at ComFest 2011!

I hope everyone is having a great summer! ComFest gave me a renewed interest in continuing forward with Rock & Royalty. I took a break from my little side business since last summer, but the excitement around it at ComFest has given me the motivation to get back to business.

I've done a total of 3 large festivals over the last 3 years. I had applied to ComFest the previous 2 years and never had any luck getting in. With over 200 booths each year in the festival, and maybe 1000 applications, the odds  were stacked against new businesses wanting to get in. Then luck would have it that last year at Gahanna's Creekside the director of ComFest visited my booth and was impressed at the set up and product and personally requested my participation at ComFest and other local festivals. It was a pleasure to be a part of the festivities this year. We had a very successful weekend and seeing and hearing everyone's reaction was an amazing thing for me as a designer. It proves that there is a huge interest in the brand and that it is worth investing in again. People were telling me I had the best booth at the festival, posing for pictures with my dress form wearing the Alison Wonderland Couture Tee and Royal Ball TuTu. I also had people telling me that it was the talk around the festival and their friends that they had to come check out the booth. 3 long days of this type of reaction was nothing short of wonderful.

I originally had a larger retail brand in mind when I first started this business. After all, my professional career has been submerged in designing for large retail brands over the past 8 years. But what I've learned that I love most is designing unique product with attention to detail that you just aren't going to get from any mass produced product. This means I spend hours upon hours with a thread and needle, or pliers and jewelry supplies to hand craft each product that I design along the way. I try to buy enough supplies to make multiples between 3 and 6 for each design so if something is successful I can create more. A lot of what I made for the festivals were one-offs, and once I sold it it's gone. I do still have several pieces left that are not on the web. I working on updating the website with the new items and replenishing some items that sold through. I've told people to contact me through email if they remember an item that they would like to custom order. Until then, I'm just posting a few photos of items to give a little newness for the brand.

Long Live Rock.
annie

Blog Feature

Just wanted to share this with you. It's really cool when you discover someone out there has discovered you and decides to feature your site on their blog.

I found this blog after viewing my website visits this week.

http://aridesigns.blogspot.com

Keep Rockin.
- a n n i e -

Featured on Style Cafe Moms March 21.2008

Modern Material™ launches a web based independent designer boutique featuring the latest trends in paper, apparel, and accessories. Discover rock & roll inspired apparel and bold accessories which will command attention from the rock gods. Why not save the snail mail and jazz up your sister’s refrigerator rather than her yahoo inbox? Colorful and decorative note cards are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Founder & designer, Annie Weihrauch, 28, launched Modern Material™ as an outlet to express her creativity and style. After graduating with honors from Columbus College of Art & Design in 2003 with a degree in Advertising & Graphic Design, Annie spent four years as a packaging and accessory designer for Bath & Body Works. Now she is beginning to establish herself as an up and coming designer, located in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Weihrauch states, “The vision for this brand is to remain open to emerging ideas instead of focusing on a brand right approach. Trends are constantly evolving, as are my creative aspirations.”
Several collections are designed to represent an individual’s personal style. The Royalty Collection is inspired by the mixture of modern world rock & roll and medieval European royalty. This edgy rocker style is represented by iconic guitars and royal coat of arms, including the crowned eagle and rampant lion, decorated by banners and flourish details. The Vintage Collection brings forward the retro chic illustrations of travel posters and advertising
campaigns from the early part of the twentieth century. Unique distressing of designs lend to a weathered billboard look, revealing years of built up layers. Rich pigments and bold typography create a charming display of retro style.

The Monthly Limited Edition features a new design each month which will be packaged as a set of 10 postcards and included as a free gift with any purchase over $10.
Modern Material™ is beginning to be featured in specialty boutique stores in the U.S. and is also listed on several amazing online resources including Marmalade Pink, Indie Collective, Bust, Scoutie Girl, Indie Designer Labels, Indie Parade and Ultra Hip Boutiques.
Why only shop among the powerhouse retail stores like everyone else? Be bold. Be different. Be daring. So if you are looking for a memorable gift or a treat for yourself, visit online today to uncover something new.
If you would like more information about Modern Material™, or to schedule an interview with Annie Weihrauch, please call Annie at 614.583.9153 or email her at annie@modern-material.com.

Contact: Annie Weihrauch
Ph: 614.583.9153
www.myspace.com/modernmaterial

annie@modern-material.com