Stacia Baby in Print

Check out Stacia Baby in this month's issue of Fit Pregnancy! Our cutey petutey pom pom dress in Laurel merino wool is showcased in Fit Pregnancy's Fall issue. Giving newbie mom's Fall wardrobing ideas for their little tots, Fit Pregnancy hons in on this Fall's trend of mismatching by pairing our space-dyed dress with stripey tights - too cute! Although, I must say I'm a little biased and think this dress looks better on my own little tot, Kaiulani Rose! This fabulous little dress was actually inspired by my very own baby dress that my Mom had saved in mint condition. I updated this pointelle number to bring it up to date from the 1970's scratchy acrylic knits and knitted it up in a scrumptious spacedyed merino wool yarn that looks old-school when paired with tights. The baby dress, in sizes 3 months to 4-5 years old, is also available in a blue/green 'Coldwater' combination online at www.shopstacia.com.

Stacia Baby in Print

Check out Stacia Baby in this month's issue of Fit Pregnancy! Our cutey petutey pom pom dress in Laurel merino wool is showcased in Fit Pregnancy's Fall issue. Giving newbie mom's Fall wardrobing ideas for their little tots, Fit Pregnancy hons in on this Fall's trend of mismatching by pairing our space-dyed dress with stripey tights - too cute! Although, I must say I'm a little biased and think this dress looks better on my own little tot, Kaiulani Rose! This fabulous little dress was actually inspired by my very own baby dress that my Mom had saved in mint condition. I updated this pointelle number to bring it up to date from the 1970's scratchy acrylic knits and knitted it up in a scrumptious spacedyed merino wool yarn that looks old-school when paired with tights. The baby dress, in sizes 3 months to 4-5 years old, is also available in a blue/green 'Coldwater' combination online at www.shopstacia.com.

Forecasting - The Fall '09 Palette

It's that time again (already!) to start thinking about the next collection. I feel like I just finished Spring/Summer '09! But since I manufacture overseas, it's crucial to get a head start so I have all my samples by the February trade shows. So here I am, with my pile of space dye swatches, Pantone color chips, and various forms of inspiration (some of my son's paintings.) What will be the palette for next Fall? Hmmmmm....well my gut always tells me to not be afraid of color, even for Fall/Winter, but the economy is still crappin' out so the consumers and buyers are feeling less adventurous and may want a more somber palette. But, on the other hand, we have an upcoming election, which sometimes jump starts the economy and creates optimism at retail. Since the future is unknown and I always design from the gut, I guess it'll be a little bit of both. Some neutral-based colors that are always classic (think grey/black combos and brown tones) and a few pop colors just for fun (for the optimistic consumer who wants to strut some color come next Fall.) God knows, you can't be afraid of color. That's something my son has taught me for sure. It's liberating to watch him paint and just splash on any color at whim. There's no over-thinking, contemplating, or hesitance. He just goes for it! So, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to really experiment with some unusual color combinations and give the consumer some unpredictable, but surprisingly wearable space dyed colors for next year. And of course if there's still doom and gloom on the horizon, I'll throw in a few predictable colors as well. This way, everybody will be happy!

Forecasting - The Fall '09 Palette

It's that time again (already!) to start thinking about the next collection. I feel like I just finished Spring/Summer '09! But since I manufacture overseas, it's crucial to get a head start so I have all my samples by the February trade shows. So here I am, with my pile of space dye swatches, Pantone color chips, and various forms of inspiration (some of my son's paintings.) What will be the palette for next Fall? Hmmmmm....well my gut always tells me to not be afraid of color, even for Fall/Winter, but the economy is still crappin' out so the consumers and buyers are feeling less adventurous and may want a more somber palette. But, on the other hand, we have an upcoming election, which sometimes jump starts the economy and creates optimism at retail. Since the future is unknown and I always design from the gut, I guess it'll be a little bit of both. Some neutral-based colors that are always classic (think grey/black combos and brown tones) and a few pop colors just for fun (for the optimistic consumer who wants to strut some color come next Fall.) God knows, you can't be afraid of color. That's something my son has taught me for sure. It's liberating to watch him paint and just splash on any color at whim. There's no over-thinking, contemplating, or hesitance. He just goes for it! So, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to really experiment with some unusual color combinations and give the consumer some unpredictable, but surprisingly wearable space dyed colors for next year. And of course if there's still doom and gloom on the horizon, I'll throw in a few predictable colors as well. This way, everybody will be happy!

Vegas Baby

Just got back from a quick jaunt to Vegas for the Project trade show at the Sands Expo in the Venetian. It was my first time visiting the show even though we've been showing at this gig for several years now. I'm so proud of my look books that I trusted no one but myself to hand carry these puppies to my booth. I haven't been to Vegas since the mid 90's so I was kinda looking forward to a little glitter time in the desert, bright lights and all. I must admit this Project trade show is pretty impressive in size (felt like several football fields of booths.) But what really made me feel like I was in Vegas for sure was the booty dancers strategically placed high above on a platform in the middle of the warehouse space, along with thumping techo trance music. My poor sales reps had to listen to this music for 3 days straight! But I wouldn't expect anything less from Vegas, booty dancers and all. It was actually a blast hanging out in the booth, meeting some of my buyers in person, and to see first-hand what's checking at wholesale. So far so good on the buyer feedback for Stacia Spring/Summer '09. Let's hope Coterie in NYC kicks some butt too!

Besides hanging in the booth, schmoozing with buyers, I was fortunate enough to snag some personals for myself and to see what's hot in the market from other designers. I know it's probably old news for most, but I was excited to discover the fabulous Andrew Lauren "Sex in the City" hoodie in my very own showroom's booth. This cozy cotton hoodie with its oversized rope drawstring and cowl-neck hoodie has already been sold out in stores in white, as it was featured in the movie on Samantha (drats!) But I can't wait to get the even chicer version in dark navy to wear this Fall as my all-around, thrown-on hoodie. The designer, Jennifer Mazur, is a smart cookie too and will be carrying this must-have hoodie in future collections.

Another great find was in my favorite t-shirt maker's line, Sharon Segal. For Spring/Summer '09 she's launching her loungewear line, called Wink. If you're not familiar with Sharon's logo, it's a chic one-eyed Parisian-inspired caricature with cocked hat and red lips. For her Wink line of sleepwear and loungewear, her cute logo gal has a closed eye, a wink of sorts to illustrate sleep - brilliant! Can't wait to get a hold of these comfy lounge pants and tissue-weight tanks for hanging around the house (much more stylish than my current at-home wardrobe!)

In a few weeks, I'll be off to NYC (the first time in 4 years since I've moved!) I'll be checking out my other big trade show, Coterie, at the lovely Javits Center (I still have nightmares about that horrid space!) But I'm excited to meet more of my fabulous stores up close and personal, check out my booth, and hang with my east coast crew to help boost sales for next year. More to follow...

Vegas Baby

Just got back from a quick jaunt to Vegas for the Project trade show at the Sands Expo in the Venetian. It was my first time visiting the show even though we've been showing at this gig for several years now. I'm so proud of my look books that I trusted no one but myself to hand carry these puppies to my booth. I haven't been to Vegas since the mid 90's so I was kinda looking forward to a little glitter time in the desert, bright lights and all. I must admit this Project trade show is pretty impressive in size (felt like several football fields of booths.) But what really made me feel like I was in Vegas for sure was the booty dancers strategically placed high above on a platform in the middle of the warehouse space, along with thumping techo trance music. My poor sales reps had to listen to this music for 3 days straight! But I wouldn't expect anything less from Vegas, booty dancers and all. It was actually a blast hanging out in the booth, meeting some of my buyers in person, and to see first-hand what's checking at wholesale. So far so good on the buyer feedback for Stacia Spring/Summer '09. Let's hope Coterie in NYC kicks some butt too!

Besides hanging in the booth, schmoozing with buyers, I was fortunate enough to snag some personals for myself and to see what's hot in the market from other designers. I know it's probably old news for most, but I was excited to discover the fabulous Andrew Lauren "Sex in the City" hoodie in my very own showroom's booth. This cozy cotton hoodie with its oversized rope drawstring and cowl-neck hoodie has already been sold out in stores in white, as it was featured in the movie on Samantha (drats!) But I can't wait to get the even chicer version in dark navy to wear this Fall as my all-around, thrown-on hoodie. The designer, Jennifer Mazur, is a smart cookie too and will be carrying this must-have hoodie in future collections.

Another great find was in my favorite t-shirt maker's line, Sharon Segal. For Spring/Summer '09 she's launching her loungewear line, called Wink. If you're not familiar with Sharon's logo, it's a chic one-eyed Parisian-inspired caricature with cocked hat and red lips. For her Wink line of sleepwear and loungewear, her cute logo gal has a closed eye, a wink of sorts to illustrate sleep - brilliant! Can't wait to get a hold of these comfy lounge pants and tissue-weight tanks for hanging around the house (much more stylish than my current at-home wardrobe!)

In a few weeks, I'll be off to NYC (the first time in 4 years since I've moved!) I'll be checking out my other big trade show, Coterie, at the lovely Javits Center (I still have nightmares about that horrid space!) But I'm excited to meet more of my fabulous stores up close and personal, check out my booth, and hang with my east coast crew to help boost sales for next year. More to follow...

Stacia in Yogini Japan

Stacia's latest press comes from far away Japan and surprisingly, from a Japanese Yoga magazine. Who knew they had a Yogini magazine in Japan? Stacia goes namaste, Japanese style! As a yogini myself, I've always thought my comfy knitwear was perfect for après yoga and the Japanese agree as well. My favorite, versatile piece from the Town & Country group was recently featured in Japan's Yogini magazine (see pictured left) - the bamboo/cotton cocoon sweater. This super light-weight sweater is an update on the classic shrug, with its longer length, shawl collar, and cocoon sleeves. It's the ideal sweater to wrap yourself up in all year-around, and perfect for throwing on over your yoga attire after a blissful session. We still have some left online at www.shopstacia.com in Banyan, Haiku, and Seagrass so grab one while they're still in stock. And if you're in Japan by chance, you can check out our complete Fall collection at Barneys Japan, our new favorite retailer overseas!