Why I do what I do.........

Attended the Directions trend show yesterday and happily pulled out of my month long creative funk just being surrounded by beautiful sweater swatches, print patterns and colors. Learned a lot by just observing and talking to people face to face especially after being holed up in the studio for so long. It was so refreshing and made me realize that I need my city fix at least once a week in order to keep the creative juices flowing and not get bogged down with ONLY the financial and business prep work as has been the case lately. I've been so concerned with creating the perfect business plan, figuring out the resources and how to get things done, that I've forgotten the reason why I'm doing this in the first place. To design beautiful pet wear!

Spoke to a young woman at the print show who happened to have her lovely pup Lola with her and she gave me lots of feedback as to what she (as my target customer) is having a hard time finding that's truly "fashionable" meaning, within the current fashion trends. I'm remembering my initial concept for Lollypups was exactly that.....fashion conscious sweaters for fashion conscious pet owners. Something they would wear themselves. I feel like I've lost focus since the last print show (also, losing my mother-in-law, and Erika's wedding were so all consuming)

then, Lacy being so sick! Point being, life goes on even when shit happens........so I'm happy to say, I'M BAAAAAACCCCKKKKK! (and Lacy is too).

Got a message from FIT that the Sorbet Valentine sweater was chosen to be showcased at New York Pet Fashion Week (August 22 - 23rd) at the Metropolitan Pavilion in a special display and then to travel globally with Pet Fashion Week for one year. Nice little boost to the old, battered ego, I must say. This was the sweater that was worn on the "catwalk" at the FIT Pet Fashion show back in April. Strictly a promotional item, I'm sad to say, since it's way too expensive to produce (all those tiny stitches and silk and mohair yarns!) ::sigh::

So, in closing today's report, I must say much progress was made in the time span of only one afternoon. All is good!