"Gilt" Was Not Built in a Day

When I moved to Seattle five years ago, Gilt.com saved my life.  Oh, I'm sure I would have been just fine, but really, after sample sales of New York, it felt like being on a starvation diet.  Thank goodness for the internet, and flash sales sites like Gilt.  Don't want to offend anybody, but...

Today I got to meet Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, who together with a college friend Alexis Maybank,  founded Gilt in 2007.  As a part of their book launch - "By Invitaton Only - How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop" (a story of how their uber-successful site was started) - she is visiting our corner of the world.  The room at MAKERS in downtown Seattle was packed with stylish female entrepreneurs; we were invited by CRAVE, all curious to listen to Alexandra's success story.  Hearing it confirmed what I already knew, made me feel stronger about some decisions I had to make, and I also learned a thing or two.

Success doesn't happen overnight.  It is hard, hard work, and only few succeed so fabulously like the founders of Gilt.  There is no recipe for it, but a handful of truths that may make it easier.  Like having a (good and like-minded) partner - you can go it alone, but it's more fun to have a shoulder to cry on, and share your dreams with.  Ideally they will provide another point of view, another perspective, fill in the gaps.

There is a long way from a concept, an idea, to making it work, living through the first years of implementing it, creating a working entity, and then the stage of running a mature business.  There will be scary times - but understanding your fears will make it easier to move past them.  Also, when you're in business for yourself, you never stop.  Weekends, holidays, there's no 9 to 5.  Finding a balance early on is what will keep you from burning out!

As your business grows it's your decision to judge what's relevant, how quickly you can expand without feeling like you jumped off the cliff, and how to rebalance and refocus quickly.

Kudos to the gutsy ladies who had the chutzpah to make their dream a reality, even if it seemed an outrageous idea.  I wonder how many naysayers they had to listen to (I should have asked that question!).  Fast forward five years, they have a billion dollar business, three kids between them, a book, and - I am certain - more ideas to build on.  Way to go!

Urban Inspiration - Walk #2

More snapshots from my walks - unexpected color and texture in familiar places. I manipulated some images just for fun.  Some of it is not changed at all - your guess...

Urban Inspiration - Walk #1

Where does inspiration come from?  Sometimes going for a walk with my dog and looking around my neighborhood is enough to start new ideas.  I especially liked the textures of very utilitarian objects - rainstorm covers, metal plates on the street, a rusted hydrant...  Things that are usually overlooked.  They are rarely translated directly into something new for a collection, but they can trigger an idea...

The Magic of Accessories

May I say that accessories are the easiest and possibly most economical way to update your look.  They will go that extra mile for you, travel lightly, and have magical transformative powers.  A pair of earrings is nearly weightless and takes up no space in your handbag, so going from day to night is a cinch.

For those who are on a budget, or with little closet space, a well thought out collection of jewelry, scarves, and belts, is the way to go.  For me coats also count as accessories, although they take up more space than my scarves....  But in our climate, you wear coats practically year round, so wearing the same cover-up day in day out could get boring.

Certain jewelry styles will work extra hard for you.  In every collection I make sure I offer a few styles of long necklaces.  So versatile!  In fact, at every trunk show I get asked if I have some with me.  And I do!  I wear them looped around twice, three times, long, knotted, as a bracelet, or even a belt!

Whatever you do, fashion is a means of self expression so have fun with it!

"La Plage" long necklace worn looped twice

"High N'Low" long necklace in blue worn long and knotted

"High N'Low" in blue and "Zaza" in green and gold long necklaces worn as bracelets

"Zaza" long necklace in green and gold worn as a triple strand

Small Businesses Do It Better

I am "borrowing" the above phrase from Ovaleye, a local business that really does it better, and does it differently as well. I had the pleasure of meeting the powerful mother-daughter duo at The Power Chicks networking event, and was impressed from the get-go. Kathy Nelson and Jennifer Donogh, blonde, vivacious, and sharp, yet very approachable and friendly, are the faces (and brains) of a cloud services company providing a multitude resources for small businesses, but that's not where my admiration ends. As if running a business was not enough, they are involved in a number of organizations in the region, and promote other small businesses in the area.

Last night I was their guest on the weekly Ovaleye.tv program called "Small Businesses Do It Better".  I was interviewed my Kathy and Carissa, who were also modeling designs from my S/S12 collection, and looked gorgeous!  Yes, I was a bit nervous, it was a live interview, but it turned out to be so much fun! We were talking about the power of accessories, the importance of presenting yourself and your brand well, and the role of social media in running a small business.  For me it was also a chance to look back at how my business was started and what it takes every day to make it happen.

Thank you Kathy, Jenn, and Carissa!

 You can watch the interview by clicking on the Ovaleye.tv logo below.

Shopping Local, Shopping Smart

When I'm out looking for new treasures for my closet, I always gravitate toward smaller stores and merchants to find the unusual, the unique items that will add an unexpected detail and flair to my wardrobe. Recently I was fortunate to be invited to one of Dana Sustalux' trunk shows. If you live in Seattle and don't know Dana you're missing out on quite a lot. I don't know how she does it, but she has a knack for unearthing vintage treasures like noone else I know. I was lucky to snag three vintage clutch-style bags and a slinky summer-style sweater in neutral tones I usually prefer. All in excellent condition, cost a fraction of what one run-of-the-mill mass produced bag would have cost me. Giving older items a new life - sustainable luxury - is the kind of recycling right up my alley, so to speak. Apart from trunk shows, Dana has a permanent space in Sodo, by appointment, take a look at her site for details.

My second stop for exciting finds this week was a local high-end consignment shop - "My Dressing Room" - owned by always fashionable Bea. Since it's in my neighborhood (Queen Anne) I often drop by to check for what's new, which can be a blessing and a curse, let me tell you! Bea's keen eye, fashion industry experience, and an unbelievable sense of style ensures that her little shop is filled with a variety of exciting fashions that will please even the toughest shoppers. She will also tell you honestly if an item you're trying on does not look too hot on you... This time I found a gauzy graphite colored summer dress, fitted on top, with a full skirt - a perfect style and color for me. As always, I walked out happy, knowing I will not look like anyone else, feeling like a million dollars.

The third stop this week was also in my neighborhood, at "Three Birds". This perfectly edited and curated Queen Anne lifestyle shop offers fantastic objects for home, gift items, as well as a selection of tasteful accessories such as bags, jewelry, and beautifully colored scarves. It hasn't even been a year since it has open its doors, and it has become the destination for all of us in Queen Anne. The pretty proprietress, Robin, personally selects everything she offers in her spacious boutique - from globally to locally sourced goodies. Everything is arranged beautifully, looking ready to be photographed for a glossy decorating magazine. If I had a larger house (and a bigger budget!) I would buy out the store for sure. For now I picked up a long, summer weight, pastel colored shawl in dreamy shades of dusty pink and lavender. It will look smashing with my new dress from "My Dressing Room"!

So, when you're out there on a shopping trip, don't go to a mall. Wander through small neighborhoods, discover local merchants, you will be surprised how much more exciting it will be. Great for your wardrobe, great for the local economy.

My finds: grey dress from "My Dressing Room", shawl from "Three Birds", vintage clutch from "Sustalux", jewelry my own "Joanna Morgan Designs"

What a Tease!

It's always exciting to see first signs of spring - but this time of year it seems like we are teased by a flower here, a ray of sunshine there, only to be forced back into boots, hats, and gloves. What keeps me going is wearing some brighter, summery colors, reflected in the jewelry, paired with my still wintery wardrobe. Here I am having a bit of fun with my High N'Low necklace.

How do you make it work this time of year?