Now what!?

So I decided to launch my own womenswear brand as you may already know. I've been getting a lot of comments and those occasional looks from my parents, close friends and family asking the obvious question... "Now what!?"

Well a lot of people may think that fashion is more creative than business, and well that's simply not true. It's actually the exact opposite. After 6 years of experience in the industry, I would have to say its 90/10. I will save the exact breakdowns of those percentages for another post before I veer off onto another subject. {I tend to be slightly... ADD ha! } So before the creative process starts, I have to get all my business ducks in a row. This will take some time for the usual filing of dba, business license, wholesale license etc. In the mean time, I figured I would get my social media down since it's imperative to any business in 2011.

Social media is a priceless employee in itself. It allows just about anyone to not only find your brand, but also stay informed with its day to day growth of information, products, etc. all in once place all while linking back to your company head quarters via the ginormous internet world.

I first started off with Facebook. Since I already have 200 + family & friends, I figured I'd start there. I created a FB business page and invited all my friends & family from my personal page to like my brand page. Then I created a Twitter page. After purchasing my domain name missdessa.com, I decided that I was going to use blogger to host it. I like the format, ease of posting, and the fact that anyone can comment on my posts. It was a toss up between Tumblr & Blogger and since I couldn't decide, I have both. Tumblr allows your brand to be easily accessible and viral within seconds. The only downside was that you had to be a tumblr subscriber to be able to repost and comment. With blogger, you don't. You can simply comment either my logging in, or being anonymous {for the shy followers that are out there} All of my social media outlets are linked up to my main site, and vice versa. This will help me to build the brand from the beginning stages by making it easily accessible to all those who are interested. It's a lot of connecting the dots, but an easy yet crucial step of brand development.

Babylove just got home from work, and after all it's FRIDAY...and the EVE of NEW YEARS EVE! Drinks are in order for pre celebration :)

xoxo + Cheers!

Inspiration Mood Board: Fall & Winter Part 1

Work for a cause, not an applause.

As I was doing some research, I stumbled upon this visual quote above. It stroke a chord in the sense that, many people in the fashion industry I feel do it for the fame more than the art. This is only one of the millions of reasons why I decided to branch out on my own. I want to work for a cause, and not for an applause. Sure, money makes the world go round, and I definitely need money to survive...but the creative side is truly was feeds my soul and passion...and the day I get to see women wearing my clothes, feeling good and looking good... well that's a cause in itself! #RANDOM

Magical Mornings.

How'd I Get Here!?

A lot has happened in this past month, let alone this year...To bring you up to speed, I've outlined my year in it's most simplistic form!

January 2011 - Made a life changing decision by ending a friendship/relationship after 8 years.

February 2011- Worked my ass off at work for a private label project we did for Beach Bunny Swimwear since 2010 Christmas, and it was still consuming 99% of my life. However, my finances are starting to look better.

March 2011 - Saw a childhood friend who I found out is my soulmate in life. 1o months later and we're still going strong. I hope to marry him one day.

April 2011 - Found my little home away from home in South Pasadena, and signed a 12 month lease.

May 2011 - Turned the big 26.

June 2011 - Work finally started to slow down, and my personal life started to get hectic.

July 2011 - Private label stopped, and well work started to get hectic.

August 2011 - Started to rethink my job situation and my financial situation.

September 2011 - Distracted with personal life and sketching Spring/Summer 2012 that the job situation seemed like there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

October 2011 - Celebrated my soulmates birthday and our Spring/Summer 2012 Collection at Los Angeles Fashion Week.

November 2011 - Mum got into a car accident thus I cooked the entire Thanksgiving Dinner by myself. Proud indeed, and mums okay.

December 2011 - Got fired from work after calling in sick after 6 years of hard work, sacrifice, and stupidity on my part (for staying for 6 years with a company who didn't give two shits about me but used me for all my creative talents). Gave my 30 day notice with my landlord. Moved back into my parents house. Started the process of launchingmissdessa, my own Contemporary Womenswear Collection.

All in all, I am still a work in progress and December kicked my ass. There were numerous times where I mentally gave up, and emotionally broke down. Thankfully to all the wonderful people in my life who do give a damn, they uplifted me in my darkest hour. I have made many mistakes, but as Adele sings it, they are memories made...