This has been the most up and down month I can ever remember and I wanted to write about it and let you know what’s been happening.
In September I was having a conversation about my dreams for my business. One of those dreams was to step into the fashion design space and work like a designer and less as a dressmaker. The difference really is that a dressmaker works with other people’s designs to make you clothes. I began to realize I am a designer because the clothes I am making are from patterns designed by me! It was a huge realization and that gave me the courage to move forward.
Acting like a designer to me meant having collections regularly while still making one of a kind pieces.
I decided then and there to have a holiday collection and give myself a very short deadline of the second week of November as my release to my VIP list and then to everyone else a few days later. Plus I wanted the collection to include a dress. I have been making dresses for myself and for in person clients but hadn;t had the courage to make a dress available to people who were close enough to me to get measured and fitted.
November 15th was the day I would first show the collection. I ordered fabric – three different prints/styles with just enough fabric of each to make three to four pieces. So there would be one dress and two skirt styles which I called a mini collection and only 9 to 12 pieces total would be made. It was a huge plan with a limited time. The reason for the short time was I didn’t want to get cold feet and change my mind so I wanted to make it a challenge.
New Developments
Now here we are on November 26th and the month has been full of surprises. My dad was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago and I knew from talking to my mom that he was having some difficulties so I packed up all my stuff at the end of October and came to Pennsylvania to work and help my mom and be a support however I could. At that point I was second guessing about whether to go ahead with the collection but when I talked to my mom the decision was made to go ahead.
Within days of my arriving my dad was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and we became aware that he wasn’t going to get better and the doctors couldn’t help him. On November 13th he died.
Now in the midst of visitng the hospital for several hours each day and supporting my mom I made 2 sample skirts and a dress, had a photo shoot of the pieces, made a video about how to measure yourself for an online purchse and went to work on my webstore. When my dad died that was another time I considered not doing the release since it would be only 2 days later. But my mom said to move forward. And so I did.
Now here we are
This has been the hardest month I can remember in a long time. But at the same time I am proud of the collection I put together. I love the fabrics I chose because they are classic for holiday gatherings. The solid red matte satin can be worn year round as can the black with white sequins. The plaid tafetta with metallic threads could be worn year round too if you are a person like me who loves to get attention. Change the styling a bit and wear it with little sneakers and a tshirt for a super fun look.
I hope you love the collection too. If you order by November 30th I will be able to make your skirt or dress and get it to you in time for Christmas week. I would love to help you look and feel beautiful this year and have a new dress or skirt in your closet that you can experiment with styling in different ways to wear it over and over. If you are considering a Beth Smith textiles piece but have questions please feel free to reach out to me and we’ll talk!
