New York, Here I Come

Heading off to NYC tomorrow a.m., my first trip back home to NY since I left in 2004. I can't believe it's been 4 years already! Jeez, time flies when you're having babies and running your own biz. I've been meaning to go back for some time to at least visit my NY showroom and show face at Coterie. It'll also be my first actual trip sans kids! I'm wishing the best for my poor husband stuck with two kids, but luckily Tutu (grandma) is in town to help.

It's been a long time since I schlepped on the NY subways and visited my old hood, Carroll Gardens, where it all started. Stacia New York opened in October 1998 (yes, it's been almost 10 years that I've been in business!) on the desolate Smith Street. I'm anxious to see the changes to the street. I hear the little up n' coming street has already gone commercial with an American Apparel flagship. At least I'll get back to my old inspiration of riding subways and sketching like mad.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16th, is the huge Fashion Coterie trade show at the piers where I'll be debuting my new Spring/Summer '09 collection to buyers and editors. Yippee! Can't wait to see what's checkin' and the overall reaction for a collection that I've been working on since April. And finally, this time around I have a fabulous professional look book to showcase my collection. It was so satisfying to have my vision in print! See above a few of my favorite looks for the upcoming season. I'll keep you posted on what's hot and what drops from the line, and what ultimately will make it on shopstacia.com.

New York, Here I Come

Heading off to NYC tomorrow a.m., my first trip back home to NY since I left in 2004. I can't believe it's been 4 years already! Jeez, time flies when you're having babies and running your own biz. I've been meaning to go back for some time to at least visit my NY showroom and show face at Coterie. It'll also be my first actual trip sans kids! I'm wishing the best for my poor husband stuck with two kids, but luckily Tutu (grandma) is in town to help.

It's been a long time since I schlepped on the NY subways and visited my old hood, Carroll Gardens, where it all started. Stacia New York opened in October 1998 (yes, it's been almost 10 years that I've been in business!) on the desolate Smith Street. I'm anxious to see the changes to the street. I hear the little up n' coming street has already gone commercial with an American Apparel flagship. At least I'll get back to my old inspiration of riding subways and sketching like mad.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16th, is the huge Fashion Coterie trade show at the piers where I'll be debuting my new Spring/Summer '09 collection to buyers and editors. Yippee! Can't wait to see what's checkin' and the overall reaction for a collection that I've been working on since April. And finally, this time around I have a fabulous professional look book to showcase my collection. It was so satisfying to have my vision in print! See above a few of my favorite looks for the upcoming season. I'll keep you posted on what's hot and what drops from the line, and what ultimately will make it on shopstacia.com.

Go Kim Go!

Throughout 2008 and 2009, the Breast Cancer 3 Day event is being hosted in various cities across the country to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. My sister, Kim Nesvick, is taking on one of these 3 day events, a 60 mile walk, this weekend in Seattle to raise money for breast cancer research. Go Kim Go! So far so good, they survived the first day I hear. Kim created a "team" of friends to participate together on this female power weekend (feel the burn!) Thanks to donations, Kim has raised over $2200 dollars! It may not seem like a lot, but imagine if every person in this Seattle walk, and every person participating across the country in these 3 day walks, pulled in that kind of money, that's a lot of dough for breast cancer research!

Every one has someone they know or love that has battled this disease. I for one, have a best friend from 3rd grade who has battled it 3 times! I'm happy to say she's doing well today with her new baby, but she will always have to be proactive with this disease. Next month is breast cancer awareness month, so let's all try to make a difference and contribute or participate to help stop breast cancer in its tracks. Stacia has always supported the Susan G Komen foundation and will continue to do so. Last year we participated in a Green fashion event on Rodeo Drive to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. And now online at shopstacia.com, for every purchase of the Haiku (pink-hued) bamboo scarf top, we will donate proceeds to Susan G. Komen. So do your part, whatever it may be - a 3 day walk or supporting pink-themed products - and let's fight breast cancer together!

Go Kim Go!

Throughout 2008 and 2009, the Breast Cancer 3 Day event is being hosted in various cities across the country to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. My sister, Kim Nesvick, is taking on one of these 3 day events, a 60 mile walk, this weekend in Seattle to raise money for breast cancer research. Go Kim Go! So far so good, they survived the first day I hear. Kim created a "team" of friends to participate together on this female power weekend (feel the burn!) Thanks to donations, Kim has raised over $2200 dollars! It may not seem like a lot, but imagine if every person in this Seattle walk, and every person participating across the country in these 3 day walks, pulled in that kind of money, that's a lot of dough for breast cancer research!

Every one has someone they know or love that has battled this disease. I for one, have a best friend from 3rd grade who has battled it 3 times! I'm happy to say she's doing well today with her new baby, but she will always have to be proactive with this disease. Next month is breast cancer awareness month, so let's all try to make a difference and contribute or participate to help stop breast cancer in its tracks. Stacia has always supported the Susan G Komen foundation and will continue to do so. Last year we participated in a Green fashion event on Rodeo Drive to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation. And now online at shopstacia.com, for every purchase of the Haiku (pink-hued) bamboo scarf top, we will donate proceeds to Susan G. Komen. So do your part, whatever it may be - a 3 day walk or supporting pink-themed products - and let's fight breast cancer together!

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!