Day 24 - Shut the front door!

Whew!  Yesterday was busy.  We were absolutely beat by the time we got home...but you know, that means it was a great day.  Here is what we accomplished:

1/ We have narrowed down our fabric selections to 3 qualities.  2 programs will get stretch silk; 3 programs will be made in non-stretch silk charmeuse; 1 will be a jersey blend.  We purchased two of those yesterday.

2/ We found our hardware and purchased that.  We LOVE the hardware.

3/ We've chosen our strap quality and hope that this will serve as a standard feature throughout the OM line. 

4/ And, after really pounding the pavement, we found 2 lace suppliers.  This is was our most challenging task on the to do list for yesterday.  We swatched a bunch and spent hours searching the garment center for the right price, the right colors, the right availability and the right qualities of lace.  Finally, in an unlikely storefront, we found Emily.  And in another spot, we found our second supplier.  Best news?  The lace is readily available, reorderable and DYABLE, which we discovered once we got home...after Jerry desized the lace with fabric softener and then dyed it with coffee...yes, that's right coffee.  Why not?  Coffee is a natural dye. No different than tea dying.  Even better?  AND, the color was PERFECT.

5/ We spoke with our web developer and that's on a roll.

6/ Update on the showrooms. It seems that most of showrooms will be back on Monday, Jan 3.  Fair enough.  Everyone needs their break! So we'll have to be patient for a few days.  Crossing our fingers that we have some interest. 

Today?  Well, we're headed back to the garment center to find our last 2 major components, that being the jersey knit and lace, plus a few functional needs like serger thread and elastic.  I need touch base with Squirrel Media again today.  Jerry will likely get started on putting to use all those goodies we bought yesterday.

See you tomorrow!

Day 23 - Delays, delays, delays

Tiny hang up...sickness set in during my time at home for Christmas.  Back on track now and ready to get movin'. 

Monday, Dec 27: Kylee met me at my parent's house in New Castle to re-fit a few pieces.  Everything looked great!  Thanks goodness.  We have 1 style which is giving us a bit of grief but Jerry and I are fully confident that we'll work it out.  The photos here are from our second fitting. 

Right after the fitting, Michael and I were back on the snowy road headed East toward NYC.  Thank God I took the week off.  No work until Jan 3rd.  Fabulous!

Yesterday, Dec 28: Jerry and I spent finally narrowing down the list of showrooms we felt most comfortable contacting.  Yep, I'm behind schedule.  Who knew that Christmas break would get so hectic?!?  We're ok though, just a few days lost...now need push harder and play catch up a bit.  Jerry and I spent the day reviewing each showroom carefully, checked out the other lines they carry, and settled on a handful.  We hope at least a few will find some interest in what we have goin' on with Overton Monroe.  We are confident in our product, we just need the support of a showroom to get the sales.

Today, Dec 29: Jerry and I will spend the day hitting the pavement, walking the streets of NYC's garment center to select our fabric and trimmings.  This is it...the big day!  We are well into the heart of salesman sample making now.  Basically, cut & sew.  The hard part is done...well, at least as far as designing, editing, fitting and selecting is concerned.
We have butterflies though, to be perfectly honest.  Will ANYONE like what we have to sell?  Can we get the quality to be perfect and finish in time for our photo shoot?  Are we choosing the right fabric and lace?  Will that website be done in time for market?  Are we even following the right calendar for this product for the FA11 market?  Are we 100% certain we can fund this entire project once (if) we gather sales?  Can we handle this?  Can I handle this with a full time job simultaneously? 

We are fairly confident in all of this, that we have answers and are prepared to overcome these challenges.  But....are we forgetting anything majorly scary?  I think we're afraid of the unexpected.

Day 22 - Put on the brakes!

As I'm typing, my husband and I are cruising across the mountains of Pennsylvania, en route to New Castle for Christmas. I'm putting on the brakes just a bit to celebrate the Holidays with family & friends. But not too much! Still lots to accomplish before heading back to my 9 to 5er...back to the grind on Jan 3rd.

As it turns out, I've got 4 samples to fit on Kylee sometime over the next few days.

Today's tasks:

1/ I'll spend the afternoon working on emailing as many showrooms as possible.

2/ Gotta contact our chosen web developer, with whom I spoke yesterday. We are all a go with Squirrel Media, found on guru.com. Now we're rollin on that!

Jerry is staying back at our place in NJ. Layin' low and focusing on correcting the remaining patterns. He's planning to start swatching self fabrics and lace. And next week, we'll make our final selections, buy all the raw materials, and get prepped for sewing salesman samples starting the first of January 2011.

Hang tight ya'll! We're in for an exciting ride. Come January, we are boogieing for a good 6 weeks straight. Taking tomorrow off. See you on Monday!

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Day 21 - Don't laugh!

So, here's where we stand. 

Business side of things:

As of today, I'm still trying to finalize a web developer and the font on the logo.  We've narrowed the web developer down to 3, two of which are quotes found on guru.com (freelancer's website).

1/ Squirrel Media - $750.  I just emailed them this morning.  If they confirm that the timeframe is not a concern, we'll probably go for them.  Hoping to get them on the phone asap so we both feel better about the project.

2/ Stylmix - $700. I like their sites but they are based out of Uzbekistan.  So the distance is little concerning, although their sites are pretty darn cool.

3/ Garrett - $1000.  The cost is higher than the other 2 but the benefit is that they are based in Pittsburgh and my bro and dad have worked with them before (check out http://www.uncle-jimmys.com/ and http://epiphanysws.com/). Spoke with them on Monday and all three guys are totally stoked about the job.

For the font, we realized yesterday that we need to be careful by choosing clear/legible lines...so we wanted something a little more handwritten looking but the reality is that we need something that can be either printed for hangtags/marketing materials OR woven for the main labels.  Thank you Annette for calling that out (she's my cousin who happens to be an amazingly talented graphic artist...for hire if anyone needs real talent).

We'll figure these two points out within the next day or so.

Oh, one MAJOR task on the "to-do" list!  How dare I forget!  I need to email a list of showrooms!  I'm starting here to establish our list http://www.modemonline.com/fashion/.  From this, my plan is to email the showrooms, then follow up next week with phone calls to start scheduling a few meet & greets. 

Design side of things:

Jerry has corrected a couple of fit samples, which I'll need to re-fit at home in New Castle during my Christmas break.  Just hoping that Kylee (our fit model) is available, especially since the first fitting ended up being 2 hours longer than expected!  It's ok I hope....I have a little gift for her.  Yes, that's right...it may be a bribe but she's sweet and adorable and I'm sure she'll be ok with fitting 2 more samples...quickly this time!  We don't want to take advantage!  Hey, she'll get a free portfolio out of the gig and, who knows?  Maybe launch a fit model career? 

While I'm hangin' with the family for the next few days, Jerry will be relaxin' at our apartment in NJ.  Well, not exactly relaxing.  He'll be choosing fabrics, lace and sewing salesman samples with a little Housewives of Atlanta in the background.

I'm including a couple of proto fitting pics here.  DON'T LAUGH!  Protos are always ugly.  We are sharing our deepest ugliest moments with you;-)  This is the idea right?  We are creating a blog focused on the process, not just the beautiful result.  Included here are the works in progress.  Don't turn away!  We have a vision and, come hell or high water, that vision will be realized.  Know what we're are making yet?

Day 20 - Corrections, Pattern Corrections

For the past 9 days, Jerry has been working all day, everyday on correcting patterns and re-making a few samples to get the fit just right.  We need to refit 2 samples but the balance will go directly into salesman sample making.  We are somehow in great shape!

I've been focusing on narrowing down a web developer/designer.  Hoping to make a selection within the next day or two. 

We're finalizing our logo, color scheme and, within the next week or so, we'll have all of the fabric and trims selected.

Lots to do!  But it's all falling into place. 

To Do List:
- Finalize Web Developer (by Dec 22)
- Talk to at least 2 showrooms.  Need to get on the phone THIS WEEK to make appointments for end of Jan to get the line in FA11 market;-)  
- Get Tim on the phone to secure the final details of our Jan 22 photo shoot (call Tim on Dec 23)
- Finish Pattern Corrections (by Dec 28)
- Select Fabric & Lace (by Dec 30)
- Finalize Logo (really need to get the font down...something in the Calligraphy family - by Dec 30).  Here's a preview, although not 100% quite yet.

See you tomorrow!

Day 19 - Overton Monroe: Established!

It was the strangest thing.  Just as I was getting fed up with my current professional situation and dying for something interesting to add a new layer to my life, Jerry just about had it with living in Mississippi.  I mean, three years ago, we talked about starting our own line.  But, it's a risk and one we didn't feel completely prepared to take back then.  Somehow, within the same week, unbeknownst to the other, we both got the feeling.  We were ready.

Oct 2, 2010 - As Mike & I were driving across Pennsylvania en route to a friend's wedding, I got a text from Jerry.  He had had enough and needed to do something about it.  He was gonna start sketching and that was that.  Perfect timing!  We both just had a feeling about the whole thing. It simply felt right. 

Oct 29, 2010 - Three weeks later, Jerry was here in NYC with a pile of sketches.  We edited the line, established our "to-do" list, a time & action calendar and determined who would be responsible for what.  We had a plan and two days later, Jerry was on his way back to Mississippi to tie up loose ends, sewing day & night to get the proto samples made in time to meet our target ready date.  We pulled together old fabric, a dress form, he had a sewing machine already and he was on his way.

The thing is, Jerry has amazing talent.  He has an incredible design eye, a hand for detail and accepts nothing less than perfection.  Jerry and I share similar educational backgrounds, both of us studying costuming with a focus on design and construction.  Jerry went on to earn his MFA on the subject, so he'll be overseeing pretty much anything having to do with the creative side of the business.  I went on to study my MBA while learning the ins & outs of the fashion industry, therefore, my focus is on making the business side work.  Each of us shares our input on the other's activities but with respect of each other's strengths.  This is gonna work.  It's that feeling that continus to pester us!  We just know it in our guts.

November 2, 2010 - Our Overton Monroe blog is established!  This makes us committed.  We seem to have a following that we just can't let down!  We're out there now and we promise NOT to disappoint!  Failure isn't something either of us accept well.

November 21, 2010 - On the advice of our super awesome corporate counsel, Michael Hughes of MH&A, LLC, we are officially established as an LLC in the state of New Jersey, we have a Fed Tax ID number and we are approved for our Overton Monroe Amex.  Jerry and I are equal partners and share equal responsibility.  Even closer to making this happen.  Even further from any chance of turning back.  We are in this thing knee deep and loving it. 

**SIDEBAR - I know, I know....how are we planning to fund this venture?  Anyone establishing a line would be wondering how to get off the ground, financially that is.  Well, we're doing it on our own.  Through the sampling stage, Jerry and I are accepting full financial responsibility, funding the line with our own cash (the little amount we are willing to risk)...basically on a shoe-string budget.  We're lucky though.  We have cut out the most expensive piece in the development stages, which is sampling.  Jerry, putting to use all those years of eduction, is designing, patterning/draping, sewing the protos, fitting, correcting patterns and then sewing the salesman samples all on his own.  What expenses do we have then?  Well, we've narrowed that down to fabric and trims, more or less.  We have other external things like website development, photo shoot expenses, label development (although branding is being done internally with a little help from our friends).  We're gonna be just fine.

November 22, 2010 - Our proto fitting is scheduled.  The weekend of December 12.  Again, we are lucky here.  Strange how things seem to fall right into place.  A few friends of my little sister happen to have the right "look" and right measurements.  They will become our fit and print models.  They are back in Pennsylvania but we're using that to our advantage.  We'll be staging the photo shoot in Western, PA...keeping cost down and allowing space and time for us to capture just the right shots.

December 7, 2010 - Jerry arrived in NYC....now we're really serious.  For the next 2 months, Jerry and I have no time to waste.  He'll be staying with Mike & I allowing us to put to use every spare moment of our time to focus on Overton Monroe.  While he prepared for our Dec 12th fitting, I secured the domain name, http://www.overtonmonroe.com/ (don't look at the website yet...we have nothing to show!)

December 12, 2010 - Fitting....for 6 hours!  But all 18 of our styles look amazing!  What a great job.  Pat on the back to Jerry.  After a long day of fitting, back to NYC to start affecting the patterns, make final selection of fabric and trims and get the salesman samples underway.

And now?  Keep reading!  We've got lots to discuss...

Day 18 - New York, New York

March, 2007 - Back to NYC...finally!  That's it. No more trying to mix it up.  I am here to stay.  What more could I ask for?  I'm back in a fabulous job in fabulous SoHo doing what I've always wanted to do, working for the most amazing designer of our time, traveling and doing my thing.  Mike's doing great with his job, we have a cool apartment (albeit across the Hudson on the NJ side), our little Honey girl (our dog, that is) and we are a-ok.  Life threw us a few more ups & downs, some difficult moments for sure but frankly, after what we had been through in the years just prior, we were more resilient.  We were closer in our marriage and tougher, ready to handle whatever would come our way. 

And so there we've remained for the next few years. 

Fast forward, May 2010.  I started a new job working for a start-up called Reed Krakoff.  Mike changed course, starting in a completely new path and has returned to school full time at Sloan-Kettering.  I'll be making clothes, he'll be saving lives.

So now you know the background stories, where we have been and how Jerry, Mike and I got to NYC. Enough about the past!

And now.... The Making of Overton Monroe.  See you on Monday!

Day 17 - Life's Challenges and Happy Surprises

At 25 years old, life changed course completely.  Firstly, we relocated back to our hometown in Western, PA.  The idea was to meet my older brother (relocated from LA) back in New Castle to help support the family business.  Living and working anywhere outside of the "City" after exposure to the world is challenging.  So I did my best to mix it up.

That August 2005, I began studying for my MBA.  Simultaneous with buying our first house, planning a wedding and working for my dad, things were busy! Subconciously, I recognize now that I was keeping as occupied as possible to avoid realizing the fact that I was no longer in my favorite city.  Somewhat of a dillusion but it worked for a little while.

After a series of ups and downs, happy and sad moments, marriage and deaths, and even a little stint at Dick's Sporting Goods, we simply couldn't take it any more.  My gut was telling me it was time to get back to New York City, and I mean RUN back.  Once my gut starts talking, there's no talking myself out of it.

In February of 2007, one of my former MJ co-workers, out of the blue, let me know that my old job was open.  Oh my God.  Could it be that easy?  Could it be that they just might hire me back?  In fact, that's exactly what happened.

Within 1 month, we had rented our house in Pittsburgh, sold a car, found an apartment, packed up and moved back to New York.  We were back on track and ready to rock & roll.

Day 16 - The Good Life

For the next 2 years, life was great.  Michael proposed to me just 2 weeks after starting at Marc Jacobs.  He surprised me on a Friday, March 26th by filling our apartment with loads rose petals and candles all around the room.  He bent down on one knee and asked me to marry him as he opened a beautiful little lacquered wooden box to reveal a gorgeous engagement ring that sparkled like something I never saw before.  I was speechless, completely weak at the knees.  After a few happy tears, I said yes.

My new job was fantastic, the people were intriguing and I was learning the business behind the industry at an accelerated pace.  The work environment was motivating and exciting.  To be witness to the large number of women helping to drive a brand as successful as Marc Jacobs was absolutely fascinating to me and truly inspired me to perform the best I could in my own little role as a business minded individual, as a women and as a lover of fashion. 

This position took me to places I never dreamed I would visit, and at a moment's notice.  On one day, I could be sitting at my desk placing orders with factories, the next day...off to Portugal or China, Turkey or Poland.  At 24 years old, who wouldn't love that?  Next to fashion, travel is just about an equal passion of mine.  To have exposure to both all in one job? I thought I died and went to heaven.  And it happened often.  I knew I was a lucky girl.  I new this was not something to take for granted.

My boss and my boss' boss seemed to trust me with a significant amount of responsibility and I suppose pride in my work just wouldn't let me let them down.  I did everything I could to hold it together and live up to expectation...once in awhile trying to exceed expectation if an opportunity presented itself.  Main focus?  Don't let them down.  Don't screw up.  Accomplish the mission at hand.

Just a little over 2  incredible and dynamic years at MJ, life had halted my career for a short moment.  Michael and I were about to be hit with a handful of life-changing events.

Day 15 - Hold on and Don't Let Go!

I remember during my interview with our VP, she gave it to me straight.  She said to me, "We need you to wrap your arms around this and make it work."  They needed someone willing to take a risk, someone motivated and challenge driven, someone willing to see it through and become immersed. No mediocrity here.  Expectations were high and I had a challenge ahead of me.  This was my passion and the feeling was right.  I was ready. 

Within the first two weeks at MJ, I was on my very first international business trip.  I was heading to Lodz, Poland and Guimaraes, Portugal along with my boss, our designer, our product development guy and our fit model.  Big trip for a young women trying to figure out the proper business etiquette in this highfalutin and incredibly exhilarating industry while doing what I could to live up to expectation in this new role.  At the same time, I still had LOTS to learn. 

This trip was a listen, learn and follow training session for me.  Let my boss show me the ropes and absorb everything. Ask a few questions but mostly, keep my mouth shut and learn.

I remember that I didn't have a suitcase to take with me that looked decent enough to expose to my co-workers.  So I bought a new one.  Well, on a 1 week trip to 2 different countries, I need options, right?  I better buy a big bag.  What if I want to bring home souveniers? So that's exactly what I did.  I bought the big boy...a huge red suitcase with plenty of extra room for goodies. BIG mistake.  Everyone else carried snazzy, handheld duffle bags, tight and sharp and half the size of my monster suitcase.  Errr.....mistake #1.

HOWEVER, as we left Warsaw before making our way back to JFK, we detoured to a fantastic little flea market that offered loads of antiques.  Oh, if I could only have about a week just to sift through those treasures!  Well, my boss found the most gorgeous candelabras.  No room in her little bag but...my fat bag had just enough space.  Big red monster to the rescue!

Day 14 - Welcome to the Big Leagues

After about 15 months, and after running myself ragged, I felt like I hit the ceiling at Nanette.  While I had tremendous training, an immense amount of work entrusted to me and an amazing experience, I was ready to move on to a new challenge.  So, I was crazy on the job hunt...interviewing at places like Vera Wang, Rebecca Taylor and the big guy....Marc Jacobs. 

Mid-December I received the call.  "When are you available to come in for an interview?"  Oh my God....I almost couldn't breath.  Of course, I scheduled right away, or should I say, I scheduled a "Dr. Appointment."

Side-bar: In the days that I was interviewing for the next step of my career, and considering that most people at my workplace were not wearing interview style clothes on a daily basis, I had to get creative with my attire so not to sound any alarms that I was running out on my lunch hours for interviews or to fake Dr. Appointments.  The things I had to do are embarrassing.  Changing shoes in the elevators.  Wearing a skirt with a cami then throwing on the blazer and high-heels in a Starbucks bathroom.  Changing out clothing items in the taxi.  Hair in a slicked back pony tail, then back down as I returned to work.  Slapping on the make-up and lip gloss.  Whew!  It was bazaar.  I mean...I felt like a nut but, hey, had to do what I had to do.  After all, I couldn't afford to lose the job that I had.

What in the world do I wear to an interview at Marc Jacobs?  I didn't have any money to buy something incredible so what the heck was I gonna do?  When all else fails...call the big sister.  Amy told me "Tight pony tail and black suit.  You need to look classy."  Well, she had been right before so why not?  I should have considered the fact that she was coming from the perspective of an attorney (black suits, black pantyhose, black heels, slicked back hair).  Ok, so I had a great Nanette Lepore suit.  I figured, that'll be perfect!  I'll do that. 

To this day, my future boss mentions that black suit every now and again.  She thought it was hysterical.  What the hell did I know?  I was just barely 1 year into the industry and didn't know anything about the work environment or aethetic at MJ.  Looking back, I don't know...I guess I did something right because I GOT THE JOB!?!?!!!  What were they thinking?  Did they really think I was capable?  Again, only 1 year experience and now I would be managing a developing area of the business?  Oh boy...here goes! Dig in and figure it out I guess...

Day 13 - My First Job

February 2003, 1 month in the industry and already attending my first REAL fashion show in Bryant Park!  Was I really invited?  Well, kind of.  I had to work backstage.  Are you kidding?  I actually get to dress the models and watch the entire 12 minute show from behind the scenes?  Oh my God, I was on the inside!  I was officially in the fashion industry. 

The next 1 year and 3 months were spent learning the lay of the land, really digging in, rolling up my sleeves and getting down to the nitty gritty.  I spent my days running in and out of buildings throughout the infamous NYC Garment Center. Up and down the elevators, rushing fit samples and patterns, slopers and markers, swatching fabric rolls, creating cut tickets, visiting the cutting room, ordering trims, counting trims (one by one or yard by yard), meeting factories, building relationships, negotiating production costs, shipping to customers, hiring assistants and, most important of all, ensuring that production shipped with perfect quality and ON TIME!  Likely, one of the most challenging feats for any designer. 

I learned very quickly the importance to deliver product on time and at the very best quality standards.  Lack of effort most definitely would result in late delivery and rushed construction with the end result being shoddy workmanship, pissed off clients and end customers, returns, chargebacks, cancellations and, ultimately, the business could suffer dramatically, potentially critically. 

Well, not on my watch.  I thrive on challenges.  I love making the impossible happen.  As did everyone in that office, I worked my ass off.  Anything asked of me, I did.  Nothing was beneath me and every new task was a learning experience, one more challenge to teach me time management skills, accuracy, accountability, reliability. 

We were young, energetic, motivated and ready to rock & roll, working long hours and weekends to pull it off.  The result?  Hard work, team work, strong work ethic, pride = SUCCESS.

http://www.nanettelepore.com/

Day 12 - NYC...Here I come!

"How soon can you get to New York for an interview?"  That's what she wanted to know.  As I sat in the quiet of my parents' bedroom to escape the noise of my very large family, who were visiting for the holidays and loudly laughing & telling stories in our living room, I think I said to Nanette..."I can be there next week if that works for you."  I called in sick the following Thursday, my friend/co-worker Danielle covering for me.  All set.  My mother and I jumped in the car and headed eastward on Route 80. 

My mom waited for me at the Starbuck's at 35th and 7th Ave, anxiously waiting to hear how it went.  Keeping my giddiness under control as much as possible, I scurried over to meet my mom to tell her the good news.  I got the job! 

Within 2 weeks, I packed up my stuff, figured out a place to live and headed east, this time for good.  This time, to embark on my career in fashion.  I was hardly 22 years old but confident yet without a clue what exactly it meant to be a Production Assistant.  I knew (rather, hoped) I would figure it out if I could just keep my head on straight, focus on the job and push myself.  I was ready for life and my foot was in the door. 

Along with the help of my parents, and grandparents in tow, I got situated into a dorm type of living situation.  It was awful but I was only 2 blocks from work and my meals were included.  One of hundreds of other young women, this place offered semi-affordable living for those starting their lives in New York.  It served its purpose and was what I could afford....just barely at $800/month for roughly 60 sq feet of living space.  Four months later, Michael relocated from Chicago to join me in New York.  Something was guiding us in the right direction.  Life couldn't be better.

Day 11 - On the Move

In the summer of 2002, after a short 3 week senior trip throughout China, I moved in with my big sister and our very dear friend, Bobby.  That is....I moved to Pittsburgh.  Not quite NYC but I was excited to start life and plow my way into Pittsburgh's fashion scene.  The only problem was that no fashion scene existed in Pittsburgh.  So now what?  Not to get too terribly disheartened, I tried to make the best of it and secured a job at Saks.  My day started at 6am and finished between 1-2pm.  In the afternoon, I worked for a little couture designer in Shadyside sewing one-of-a-kind garments for Pittsburgh's elite.  All said & done, Annie in Pittsburgh lasted about 6 whole months.  And that was that.

Lucky for me, I have a very large family circle.  How did I end up in NYC?  Small town connection...my cousin's husband's sister dated (and still dates to my knowledge) Jim Lepore.  Who is Jim Lepore?  The father of fashion designer Nanette Lepore, originally from Youngstown, OH.  Who knew? 

On a blistery winter day during Christmas break, I got a phone call.  Yes that's right!  My cousin had Jim on the phone who then put me on the phone with Nanette, who happened to be in Youngstown for Christmas.  What do I say?  I can't screw this up....I NEED TO GET TO NEW YORK!