Buyers meeting had…and what a hellish meeting it was

As you all know, I work in the fashion industry. My new pieces arrived safely and I have to say, I am very proud of them. Of course, certain tweaks will need to be made in order to make them perfect, but that it always the case.

So, I had a meeting with a very prestigious department store. Having waited over an hour and a half for them to get ready, I was not expecting such a brief liaison. The women I met were surly, rude and quite frankly mildly insulting. Never have I met buyers who were so dismissive. Yes, I admit in hindesight the collection is small for their standards, but why are we always wanting more, more, more? In a society where we are now trying to see that materialism is not sustainable, why do they advocate it so much? You would think that with someone of such stature they would want to embrace change and new designers. Why is it then that they all go for the same brands? The whole point of the meeting was to get feedback and generate ideas. Instead I received a rather derogatory encounter from someone who, let’s face it, could not set up her own business. In the end though, would I want to work with someone like that? It has made me realise how valuable my independent stockists are and how much I need them, not the big guys.

Going down Oxford Street on my way home I noticed there are two Marks and Spencers, two Uniqlo’s, two New Look’s, three H+M’s, 3 Coasts (including concessions), all the same make-up brands, two Russell and Bromley’s, three Boots, two Next’s and so on. Why is this? Really, do people enjoy this same-street-shopping? How dull. When did it become like this? It is seriously just like a gigantic game of Monopoly; who can buy up the next available space. Even the designers in the big department stores are all the same; not to mention the stand alone same designers on Bond Street and down towards Picadilly, all selling the same stuff!

I ask you, what is it that you like about shopping? Personally I enjoy meandering down lovely streets and finding shops filled with goodies. I love the new labels, the small and not-quite-well-known labels, I love the architecture of the small boutiques, I love the feeling you get when you find something really special, I love speaking with the owners and finding out more about them and their experiences. Above all, I enjoy the feeling I get when I know I have purchased something from someone who will value that sale. Do you think Selfridges, M&S, New Look and such like know you? Do you think that sale is valuable to them? Will it make a difference to their stock levels? The answer is no, not really. Go to your small boutiques and independent stores; speak to the owners and get to know them. If they start closing down at the rate they currently are at, all we will see forever is the same Starbucks, Topshops, H&M’s, New Look’s, River Islands and the rest. Oh, all of which are all owned by the same giant parent companies anyway.

LFW

Well, well, well, the exciting part of the season is drawing upon us….drumroll please…..London Fashion Week is soon to arrive!! There is so much to plan and organise, but I am thoroughly looking forward to the events.

Last week I received my samples for the new season, and boy, what a collection. I am so proud and cannot wait to show them off to the masses! I have been filling in forms for awards/grants recently which always takes up so much time. However, they are worth it and you do then get a chance of winning, of course! Last week though I had the most amazing experience – I have a feature coming out with a huge British glossy magazine and I had the hair, make-up and styling done. I have not had so much fun in ages! What a treat. I could certainly get used to that, I have to say.

I am meeting up with Mr G tonight and his work colleagues which should be fun. However, just in case it starts to bucket it down with rain (and thus me not wanting to leave the flat!) I have purchased a lovely bottle of wine and bits for dinner. It’s been a fun week, but rather tiring and I have an early start tomorrow, despite it being the weekend!

I just received a text from Sally saying she has the keys to her new Parisian flat!! How exciting. I have to say, I do admire her courage for doing what she is doing. 8 years with someone and then split. Up and move to Paris all on your own. What guts! She looks amazing though and sounds happy, so that is the  main thing.

Did I tell you my best friend is engaged? I have to organise the hen party and not to mention find a dress. I would like to know if there are any designers out there who have attractive, affordable and luxurious long dresses for a maid of honour but is not too “bridesmaid-y”. Answers on a postcard, please.

Paris part deux

Paris was amazing. What a lovely break from the norm. Mr G and I went on the Friday and returned on the Monday. We went to Le Louvre, saw the fashion shows, had cocktails whilst listening to jazz in St germain, went for walks along La Seine…bliss.

We saw Sally for dinner on Friday night – copious amounts of vin rouge were consumed, gossip was exchanged and belly laughter was had. She is now going to rent her own studio flat as of next month and she is excited, yet scared as well. Being as gorgeous as she is, the men are falling at her feet. She is currently dating firstly the Estate Agent (to ease the volume of paper work and assist with dodging the mass of beaurocracy in France). Seemingly, he is ‘alright’ looking, hardly ugly, but not her Romeo. He fills a hole; takes her for dinner, shows her the city and makes her laugh.

Secondly she is also, to mine and Mr G’s horror, dating a Married Man. The man in question met Sally on the Eurostar. He is a millionaire with a wife and two kids. One would presume that money, health and a family would be sufficient, but clearly not so for this chap. Sally states she has only kissed him, but secretly enjoys the fancy meals, a chauffeur and champagne. However, much to my relief, she has refused his offer to fly her to his holiday home in Barbados (although very tempting, especially in this dreary weather, she barely knows the guy from Adam!)

Lastly, but by no means least, there is the Italian Man. Having met at her previous job, she instantly felt attracted to him (for the record, OMG he is stunning). Although she was going out with Alex at the time (for 8 years) Italian Man did awaken something in her. Seemingly, he has written to her stating his feelings and he also went out to paris to see her – how romantic – only the Italans would perform such a gesture. I know that Italian Man maybe serious as she has told him not to contact her until she is ready. We only do that when we truly like someone, don’t we).

I am really looking forward to the new shows coming up ; LFW is always so much fun! Got my new styles and colours sorted, just waiting on the samples. Got masses to do in the interim. Currently at my PT job whilst composing this, my objective for this year personally is to give up this job and focus on my business full time by the end of this year. I have to say, all of this juggling can get too much, but it is necessary whilst the business grows. Unless I take out a massive loan there is no other way. Why would I want to do this? In a recession it is hardly practical! Anyway, you only get out what you put in…

Just a quickie…

I will go into more detail tomorrow as have had an incredibly busy day and I have to get some much needed beauty sleep for another full-on day tomorrow…however, Paris with Mr G was lovely; delicious breakfasts, champagne in jazz cafes in St Germain, fashion shows and shopping…what more is there sometimes?

As I said, I will inform you all tomorrow with the details….bon nuit!

Alice, Chianti and I

After a long week of work it was so nice to let my hair down. Rather excitingly, I was in a national newspaper this week praising my entrepreneurial flair and growth potential. This has been amazing for me and my business and the phone and emails haven’t stopped!

After working solidly all morning and afternoon, I met Alice at 4pm as she wanted to show me swatches of the bridesmaid dress material. It is a gorgeous blue and is so flattering. We then went to try on different styles in a shop around the corner (oh, to live just off Oxford Street!). After a large glass of Chianti we were chatting about the wedding jitters one gets….sleeping with that one same person for the rest of their lives? Being an actual wife? Do you change your name? If you don’t, is that bad form and an insult to your husband? Alice let slip that she feels she has let go of her ‘dream wedding’ as rather than getting married on a beach in Thailand with just a few close friends and family, she is getting married in Portugal with 120 guests. Putting her wants first is not an option. I guess it is a balancing act; sharing the wishes between you and your future husband.
Well, as long as there is plenty of Chianti….

And I thought I had it hard…

Well, today I went to my part-time job this morning but was late…oops…I do hate being late, but I had a million and one things to do this morning. First and foremost, I had to send off information to my suppliers for new AW10 designs (always takes longer than planned), as well as do a little bit more of my tax stuff (not that any of it is easy…and they say “tax doesn’t need to be taxing”!) . Once I am at my second job I do enjoy it, but I had such an exciting day yesterday with a major business opportunity, that I just wanted to focus on my own work today! Still, got to have a nice afternoon as I met a lady via Twitter actually – only in the 21st century could one say that! – and she was lovely. A true inspiration as she has set up her business (hugely successful) not only on her own, but has also just become a mother! If anyone asked me to do what I am doing plus have a child, I would definitely say ‘no’. Running your own business is hard enough, let alone with a baby in tow! She was so lovely, looked glowing and healthy and was incredibly passionate about her work without being arrogant. If I can achieve half as much as she has then I would be very happy indeed.
Tonight though I was let down by Mr G….I was looking forward to a nice romantic meal but unfortunately his work got in the way. Oh well, I suppose an early night wil do me good. We are off to Paris afterall in 10 days time, so that is certainly something to look forward to….

When one is in love

That’s the thing when you are in love, you sometimes miss what is going on in the outside world. That has certainly happened this weekend. After a long week of work and rubbish weather, Mr G and I have literally spent the vast majority of the weekend in bed. Don’t get me wrong, I am hardly complaining! Today though we must look at our tickets for Paris for a couple of fashion shows that are happening in two weeks time. It will be lovely to have a change of scenery and go out. Hopefully I will get to wear my new boots that I purchased sneakily with Alice on Friday (God love Russell and Bromley). Fortunately, Mr G does not mind my occasional shopping extremes, though of course, he doesn’t know about them all; some things are just meant to be kept private…

Saturday in bed with Mr G

Mr G and I are having a lazy Saturday; endless cups of tea and breakfast in bed, not to mention fabulous nurturing sex…I have decided it is too cold to leave the flat, so we are staying in all day which is lovely. Oh, these days are the best after a long week…

Met up with my ladies yesterday which is always fun. Sally, who recently broke up with her boyfriend of 8 years, came back from Paris so we of course met for a long lunch in the City. Although she was distraught at first, I have to say, she looks fantastic after her break of one month. She is glowing from the freedom and uncertainty that lies before her.

Some women wouldn’t be able to cope with losing someone so close, but I suppose, how close were they in the first place? Do all relationships of that length go stale if there is not a ring in sight?

Snow everywhere – poor Scotland though; -21 degrees? Brrrrr…

England seems to be in chaos this week due to the heavy snow and severe icey conditions. I have another part-time job as well as being a Lipstick Entrepreneur. Being in only my second year of business, I have yet to take a proper wage and so have to generate my income somehow! I don’t mind the second job at all, in fact, I really enjoy it and it is nice to work with other people for a few hours a week. Sometimes working on your own it can get quite lonely.

I fell over on the ice on my way to work yesterday though – not fun. Boy, do I hate buses in London; why are they always so rude? In a break I started to think of all the extra things I must do….hearing back from my accountant, send off orders to Germany (I must find out what German publication I was in), and I must start planning my best friend’s hen party.

Today though is Friday (hooray!) and one of my friend’s who moved to Paris has come back for a couple of days. My old housemates and I from university are all meeting for lunch – now that is a bonus of being a Lipstick Entrepreneur; being able to have treats occasionally! In the meantime this morning I have a few emails to write and a few phonecalls to make. I have a show coming up in February which desperately needs planning for, as well as lots of admin work.

Here’s to a happy weekend though! 🙂

January blues…?

Of course business is never easy, especially in the current climate of the recession. All of the negative press, the early shop sales, the redundancies, the lack of consumer spending….it all affects ones motivation. To what extent though varies from individual to individual. It is often taken for granted, in my opinion, the ability for a colleague to off-set his/her workload onto someone else. Being an entrepreneur and running a business independently, this is not possible. If only! That’s the thing with January; one has so much to do with so many good intentions, but often suffers from “January blues”. I wonder how many people set themselves targets only to falter at the first hurdle? Diet books must make a fortune at this time of year!

Snow is falling heavily outside and it is often a time when I feel quite peceful and at my most creative. Plenty to arrange this month and I am really starting to look forward to it; after all, you only get out what you put in…