SheBreathes™ | Fashion + Culture

Labour of Love | Trend Show

I said there wouldn't be any postings from me today, but I'm back and I feel like sharing {smile}.

Today was the TrendSelection NY by Lineapelle, it's a twice a year event that brings a bit of the fairs that go on in Bologna stateside. It's scaled down considerably, but during these hard economic times this is absolutely perfect. They have several tanneries, etc at the fair with samples + swatches, and ready to take orders. The majority of the exhibitors, if not all are Italian, and you'll fall in love with each one if you don't remember you have a budget, hehe. I put in a few orders with some new places that are just bringing it. This year's event was packed more than prior years, and again I'm sure it had a lot to do with the economy. I usually make the Lineapelle events, but this is a nice little in-between, and far more intimate, which you can kind of miss at the fair in Bologna.

They hosted a "Trend Presentation" at the Metropolitan Pavillion + the Altman building {they're doors down from each other} hosted the exhibitors, it continues tomorrow. At the Trend Presentation the details of the summer 2010 trends  were discussed for about 45 minutes. The host was hilarious, offering a bit of commentary on "some" designers, and of course saying how we all need to "get back to creating with respect to the economy". All in all it was a fun filled day, and one where I felt extremely productive. I'm very happy with the leathers I ordered for my collection + a few clients. One place actually floored me with their leathers/offerings, and sorry but I didn't share their swatches because I was amazed and placed  a big order with them. I ran into some designers, old friends, teams I've worked with etc — it was fun!  There were also a few sustainable exhibitors, so that made me smile, and I twittered a bit too.

Below is a pictorial of how the day went. There was a photographer on site, but for us regular people some booths were apprehensive to cameras. So, I didn't get a lot of shots of the leather, but I tried. I will try again tomorrow, since I'm only going to make sure I didn't overlook any exhibitors.

These fotos are from the "Trend Book", which I purchased.

Fotos below are from my blackberry, sorry they're kinda horrid hehe.

 

Beijinhos.

Exhale + Breathe

Oi everyone. I wanted to share a bit of news with all of you, She Breathes is getting a complete make-over and all of this will happen by the end of the summer. So if you see any bugs or the pages are slow etcetera don't fret it's because we're busy behind the scenes.

I'd also like to introduce a new section that I've been quietly working on it's the a new and improved version of "Certified Breathable" but the spotlight will now be on you, my stylish + fierce readers! I know some of you blog, are students, entrepreneurs, mums, artist, writers, etc. This blog sees plenty readers from the far east to the far west thus why I'd love to feature you!

You're so global and share your thoughts with me via comments or e-mails. Why not let me return the favor? If you'd like to be featured please send an e-mail to exhale {at} shebreathes dot com. Just put "certified breathable" in the subject line. It doesn't matter if you rock cheap + chic, vintage, designer, whatever, if you think you're breathable {hehe} then exhale and send me an e-mail. I already know you are so why not share it with the world!

I appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for your continued support. I have a feeling you're going to like the next level of shebreathes.

Tchau + Beijos.

Quick Update: Breathing

Oi everyone!

I've been such a bad blogger. I've been busy working on new projects, preparing for my daughter's 3rd year anniversary, and my wedding. Yes I'm getting married! I'm extremely excited about this and whilst I tend to keep my personal life away from this blog I couldn't resist sharing. So many more wonderful things are coming for this blog. I've finally figured-out the next level, and it's on the tip of my tongue. But I'd rather for you to see than just say. I hope all of you stayed tuned for the next level of shebreathes, which is almost 3 years old!

I'm so very grateful for all who continue to visit, send their readers my way, and those who are inspired by the discoveries here. As we say in Brasil "muito obrigada" always.

Beijos.

Labour of Love Vol. 2

Oi people, the interviews are coming, so sorry for the delay. I've been busy with school, traveling, etc, life got the best of me this week.

I've also got the much anticipated, wanted to do, couldn't wait to do (under wraps) project/blog off the ground. As a writer this is so what I need to keep myself balanced, it's also something I've wanted to do for over a year now. Many of you know about this project, and gushed over the name, well I hope it evolves nicely into all that you and I think it can be. I plan to do a lot with this project, you just wait and see heheh, as it's closely tied to my writing. It's still a work in progress, and I'll release it all soon.

Beijinhos.

Labor of Love

Many of you have wondered what happened to my personal updates and topics, etc - nothing really. I have been making an extra effort to post more frequently and make good on my claims (breathing life, fashion, culture) hehe.

So, just because you asked. . .

Today has been a busy one for me, I spent most of my morning (starting at 5am) on the telly with Italy. If you don't know there is a six hour times difference, thus why my work requires me to wake at 4 or 5 am sometimes. Not to mention most factories close down the entire month of August, so I had to make sure all was well in the land of shoe and handbag production.

Oh yeah handbags have been added, also we've moved factories from San Mauro Pascoli to the Toscana area in Italy. This was purely a strategic move because the factory I used was small. I'm very happy with the factory we're using now! I have someone in Italy I trust implicitly with my designs, she's an awesome person and good friend, who makes the business side seem fun.

Remember these lasts, I shared last year?

(Fotos Mines)

These babies are in my archives as they were the first, and will remain as such. 

Shoes complete the outfit, hopefully with a big fat exclamation point (hehe)!

If you ever found yourself wondering why a pair of shoes costs so much especially if it has the "Made in Italy" label, just remember that it takes over a 100 components to make a shoe. Not to mention Italians are on par with the US for wages, and these are artisans, true craftsmen and women. It's very hard to mark-up shoes, because it does cost a lot to have them produced in Italy, and with the euro against the dollar these days, it can be daunting, but I still love it. I also love creating something that can be passed down, or worn for years to come.

Every brand has it's market place, but for me it's all about investing and keeping what I invest in longer than a trend or season, this is my approach to designing. I rarely look to trends in fashion, the colours are the only thing that really concern me, everything else is my playground (hehe).

I knew going in if I couldn't produce in Italy or Spain I wouldn't get into the business, which is why it's taken me so long to really get things going. I'm not rushing, while time matters - quality is what I strive for over and over; and doing it right from start. I've become a lot more green in my ideas, which only adds a few more step to the process; but I welcome it all.

It's all truly a labour of love for me, one I've had since I was a little girl, just like my writing. I can't wait to share both with you openly, and soon.

P.S: I'm going to try to do a twice a month update on me, for now I'm sure this near thesis was a enough to hold all of you over. Also the video from the factory is coming.

Beijos.