Smell What You Sell.

Yes, the title is a quote from Alan Sugar from this weeks Apprentice. Yes, I like trashy TV quite a bit.

But, to be honest, I think he might be right.

I have been debating with myself as to where to go with my dresses & shop. Part of me wants to move on from my old shapes & create a new collection with new styles & new fabrics. But then again if I was part of the 'real' fashion industry what would I be planning now? Autumn Winter 2013? Well, that's just to far ahead for me! I like to live partly in the here & now (maybe a few months ahead). & design for real people in real life.

I feel like I am getting tired of making the same old dress that sells, but I also feel like it is amazing that people want to wear something that I have designed & made. I cannot say, oh no, I am over that, when everyone else likes it. If I was to pause for a minute  & see it through fresh eyes I realise I love it too.

I've got through 2 bolts of the Soar fabric already, & am in the process of ordering more, & these things really are about trial & error. Especially as I am teaching myself as I go along.

I never know if people just forget that I will make up the dress in whatever fabric they desire! I can understand that they see the picture & want that exact one. I'd love to have the same dress in all different variations though.

Let's stop this waffling. What I mean is this, I bought this fabric Flowerbed back in November & it's not selling as well as the others. I thought it was a slow goer in the winter as it is super summery. However, summer is almost upon us & I still have a fair bit left. So, this means a sale. I love this fabric, the colours are interesting & the shapes are fun. But, smell what is selling, & I want to get people out there wearing the fabric! Rather than it sitting in my studio.

So, any dress made from the Flowerbed fabric will be discounted by 20%. It's hard for me to do, but otherwise I will have to make myself a whole wardrobe out of it!

Any shape. Any size. This fabric. 20% off. Please get in touch if you have any ideas.

& check out my Etsy shop for inspiration.

I'm sure this post doesn't make any sense, thank you if you read this far. If not - I don't blame you.

I'm in Brighton over the bank holiday staying with the sis. Looking forward to antique shopping & walks along the sea front.

Hope everyone has a super weekend! :)

Oh, PS. This is some feedback I received this week. It has totally made my year. These things mean the world to me & make me so happy that I made the decisions I did & often question (no uni, no big cities etc).

"I can't say enough good things about Isabel - super helpful, mega talented and patient to boot. She helped me choose the right dress for my summer in New York and it is BEAUTIFUL, plus it looks great with a pair of cowboy boots.. The production and shipping time was quick smart, with a natty wee hand mirror thrown in. 5 stars all round."

Totally blown away. Thanks for letting me chat rubbish on this rather bloggy blog post. I promise the next ones will be pictures only.