Black Pearl Creation’s Blog

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Vote for Black Pearl Creations for the 2008 “On the Rise” Awards! This is an opportunity to support me as an upcoming designer!

Already a 2007 Fashion Designer of the Year, help me put 2008 on the scene as well! Thank you for your support!

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I openly admit: I’ve never been a “greenie” or environmentalist, at least publicly. I don’t always recycle but always turn lights off when not in a room and don’t let the water just run while brushing my teeth. I am thinking of getting a scooter, not for the environment but for my own selfishness: my wallet.

Then, I come across an article (which I can no long find) that wakes me up. Synthetic yarn contributes to the consumption of oil! I never knew. I’m searching online and “oil” and “yarn” are compatriot words in a lot of sites and articles.

So. I have items made from synthetic yarn. No more. I will utilize animal fibers (which are yummy to design and work with anyway), cotton, bamboo and other sustainable materials that do not add to our current economic issues.

On a similiar note, many people are not traveling due to the higher cost of gas and airline tickets. Many of you are staying home and using that as a vacation. But when you look outside, you see your patio furniture needs a touch up. That’s where I come in. Black Pearl Creations was known as a home decor line before venturing into clothing. I will be offering beautiful throws and pillows to spice up your new vacation resort: your home. I guarantee you will love the designs and the prices. All of the items will still be made by me and will still have the superior quality you expect from Black Pearl Creations. The picture above shows a throw in progress.

First, the SkyShow was a great success! I sold out of a majority of last year’s inventory and received some orders as well. I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.

I am still planning on doing the Atlantic Antic in Brooklyn this year. It will be held on Sunday, October 5.

The Little Black Dress Event is coming up June 28 at Wally and Bernie’s in Manchester, NH. This is a great time with music, drinks! I am looking at participating so I will keep you updated.

Ok, for those of you whom weren’t paying attention: I am a staff acccountant by day and a fashion designer by night. I’ve been a designer since 2001. I started out only doing home decor and honestly can’t remember the transition to clothing.

After 5 years of struggling and depressing revenue numbers, I took an entrepreneur class. (The best thing I’ve ever done besides having my kids but that’s a different story.). The main thing I learned in that class is this: no matter what your business if, if you don’t advertise and/or market your business, you are wasting your time.

That being said, I attended the Open See at Henri Bendels’ which is an open call for designers, jewelers and others.

My friend and I are in line at 7am to wait until 9am for them to accept the designers. We finally got in the door at about 10am. I signed up under the women’s apparel, swimwear/loungewear and accessories categories.

I was immediately whisked away to speak with Kirsten, the buyer for swimwear/loungewear. I showed her my bamboo bikini and coverup. She liked it and wanted to see other designs. I let her know I do have other swimwear sketched out but not made. She told me they have trunk shows, wanted to know if I was interested (duh!), took my card and brochure and I was whisked away to the waiting area.

I was then called for accessories. I brought 4 purses that I felt really represented them the best. She loved them and took a card. It wasn’t a no, it wasn’t a yes.

The big one: women’s apparel. This is the category everyone is fighting for. I’m waiting in line with a black dress, the white pant suit, a silver evening gown, the red island dress and the backless tank top. While waiting in line, I am asked about my price point and the girl (Jody no less) seemed satisfied with my answer. I’m then called to go talk to Amy. She already had a look of disinterest (I was only about 100th in line, how could she be disinterested already!) I showed her the white pant suit, the tank (which she loved) and as I was bringing out the black dress, she said, “I really see this [the white pant suit] as being on an older woman. Our customers are very young. The tank is very cute. Your clothes are nice for older women but too sexy.” I then packed up and walked out graciously.

So, there you have it. I will admit, walking back to the subway, I was thinking about giving up. I was highly discouraged.

Please go to my pictures, look at my outfits again and tell me what you think. The Fall/Winter collection will be out in a couple of weeks (Guess I’m not giving up after all)

The above photo is the one she said was for older women.