Handcrafted with Love

Book Review: One Perfect Day

 

One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding by Rebecca Mead.

 Last night I plowed through this book!  It is really interesting, I'd say a must read for anyone skeptical about all that "Wedding Budget" and "Wedding Timeline" stuff.  It covers the creation and promotion of the wedding industry over the last 15 or so years (it was written a couple years ago), everything from the birth of the Wedding Coordinator, the Diamond Engagement Ring Conspiracy, and a comprehensive history of the wedding dress and its retailers today...among other things.

As a wedding professional, a lot of this stuff was not exactly new, but it was very interesting to see behind the scenes in different parts of the industry: photography, destination weddings, and home goods in particular.  It also made me realize that I'm a true wedding skeptic living in a professional wedding world...I don't think I'm supposed to admit that!

Portland brides will love this book, especially if you're not a "bridaly bride" or a "non-traditional" bride, or any of the other things we call ourselves to emphasize we're not gonna wear a ballgown and have a hundred thousand butterflies released at the ceremony.  It's a guide to navigating the industry, and The Bridal Industrial Complex.

Read!

Love,
Sara

Oh, Karl.

 

I know certain (ahem!) people that are going to get on my case about this, but I can't take it anymore:  I hate Karl Lagerfeld.

Maybe it's because of his hair?  Nah.  The truth is, I read an article about his eating habits a few years back, the guy is quite frankly the most ridiculous person on the planet.  Sure, he's a boy genius that's been designing since the age of, what, 14?  The man is a joke.

Imagine how happy I must have been to come across the following article online last week:

Chanel Farmer

The article's author starts out by saying: No serious student of fashion can consider their education to have been complete if they have not attended a runway show by Chanel, whose Spring 2010 collection presented Tuesday, Oct. 6, in Paris was a brilliant tour de force of style, presentation and proof that ecology can be not only politically correct, but cool.

Yeaaahhhhh.  Maybe I adore Coco Chanel, but I can see her history in a book.  As a serious student of fashion, I've chosen to think for myself, and not blindly follow the trends put forth by the forecasters and big names that create lines that all look the same.

I love this quote:

"It's Coco Ecolo, ecology can be chic. No? One can use natural fabrics and learn from nature," said Lagerfeld after the show.

Hey Karl!  Guess what!  You're like the VERY LAST person to think of this, and you didn't exactly do anything different.  Except something totally cheesy and so not chic.

Oopsie.

Love,
Sara

Cues from Calder

I've been drooling over this book about Alexander Calder's jewelry for quite a while.  Last night I logged into Amazon to review my (extensive!) wishlist and saw it once again, ready and waiting for a big splurge.  But alas, not in this economy!  Instead I read reviews of it on various websites and just ogled the excerpts and photos for a bit.  A quote from Calder caught my eye:

"Simplicity of equipment and an adventurous spirit in attacking the unfamiliar or unknown 

are apt to result in a primitive and vigorous art...I decided a long time ago that primitive art 

really is preferable to decadent art...So I've remained as primitive as possible."

Leave it to a master to put into words exactly what I've been trying to say about the line from LoveJune...I've talked it up and tried to explain the concept behind it, but there it is!  The idea of using whole pieces of fabric started partially because I was broke and didn't want to see my dollars thrown in the garbage, but was really solidified after reading about African cultures that use whole lengths of fabric so that in the future they may be taken apart and reworked without having to purchase new material.

Recently I went over my collection and did a little editing.  Some new styles had been spinning around in my head and I was getting a little tired of some of the first styles, so I removed them from the floor and decided to rework them.  I can take them apart, press them, and reuse those fabric lengths for totally new styles, and I can't wait to show you what I come up with!  A little early 20th century inspiration to get your wheels turning:

In the meantime, enjoy these last days of summer!

Love,
Sara

On Vacation!

Time for a little rest and respite!  

After being hunched over my sewing machine since December (ouch!), I'm taking a couple weeks off.  See you soon!

Sara

Love June Wins Oregon Bride Magazine's Best Custom Designer 2009!

                                                                                     

I'm so excited!  I wish I could have made it to the Awards Reception at the Aveda Institute, it looked like so much fun!  

Congrats to all other vendors that won, including our own Event Cosmetics and our dear friend Evrim Icoz!

AND, guess who's gown made the cover!?  

Here's what they had to say:

"Brides often approach Sara Temme, owner of Love, June, in her North Portland shop with multiple pictures saying, “I like this sleeve, and this neckline, and this skirt.” It’s Temme’s pleasure to put the puzzle together and, like Tim Gunn says, “Make it work.” When it comes to the construction of the gown, Temme is an old-school couturier: She does all the handiwork herself, spending between 25-50 hours on each gown. That’s what we call made with love."

Run along now, and buy the issue, I'm doing the same!

Love,

Sara

The Wal-Mart of Weddings

I recently came across this article on MSN and thought I would share it with y'all:

"Wal-Mart of Weddings is Thriving"

After reading that David's Bridal holds a whopping one-third of the market, I can't say I was surprised.  Here in Portland the chain is prominent, and their prices are virtually unbeatable for the product.  I know I've discussed what goes into the price of a wedding gown before, but here's the run-down again:

- cost of materials 

- cost of labor

- markup for retail (including overhead and salesperson wages)

- markup for specific brands (yep, some brands need to look higher on the food chain to make sales)

When taking all those factors into account, it's easy to see why a big chain would have the lead in pricing:  anyone who has ever been to Costco knows that buying in bulk is a better value.  And yes, we small businesses and retailers have really taken a hit in this economy.  But I think the thing to think about is why so many women would prefer a cookie cutter dress for (arguably) the most important day in their lives to one that is very special.  All pricing aside, I think it's a cultural phenomenon.

Weddings these days are more about keeping up with the Jones'.  It's actually pretty rare to find a wedding that is thoughtful, personal, intimate, and a true expression of the love that's being shared.(I know there are a tribe of brides out there that are saying "No way!"  To them I say "Yes way, ladies, you are the few and far between.)

 Too many cooks spoil the soup, right?  That's exactly how weddings have become.  I know looking through bridal magazines is exciting in the beginning, but after years and years of seeing the same dresses over and over again, this lady is looking for something different.  I think there are a lot of designers out there trying to offer a variety, as well, and I applaud them.  But the reality is, most brides want to look just like every other bride.  Their parents want them to look like every other bride.  Their friends want them to look like every other bride...and whether or not they really want to, they end up looking like every other bride, because there will be no one saying "I can't believe she wore that"...

Weddings these days are all about keeping up appearances.  I challenge every bride out there to throw convention out the window, decide what's most meaningful for you on the day of your wedding, and act/spend/splurge accordingly.  Let's get back to making it a night of a lifetime.

Love,

Sara

Design Piracy Prohibition Act- Please Act Now!

Well, everyone, this is still an issue...only this time we're afraid it might pass.  

Read here about the Design Piracy Prohibition Act and how it can affect each and every apparel designer, accessories designer, or consumer of these products.  

Did you get that?  ANY CONSUMER OF THESE PRODUCTS as well!

Sign this petition.

Alert your state representatives.

Save MILLIONS of jobs worldwide.

PLEASE ACT NOW!!

Petition: To Save Small Business

Today, Kathleen Fasanella of the Fashion Incubator posted this very important article about the Design Piracy Probation Act.  Essentially, every small apparel and accessories design based business could go under.

You can also check out this article about Diane VonFurstenburg getting busted for lifting "inspiration" from a small design firm in Canada:  http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/04/23/copycat-style.aspx

Please read the articles and then click on the following link to sign the petition to stop this law from passing:

 http://www.PetitionOnline.com/hr2196/

On behalf of myself and every other indie designer out there, thank you for your support!!

Love,

Sara

Oregon Bride Photo Shoot

Love June is so excited to have been invited to throw in some dresses for the Oregon Bride photo shoot on Monday!  The issue won't come out until late summer, but we're sitting on our hands waiting!

Rumor has it one of our gowns may have made the cover!  The anticipation is killing us!

Meanwhile, the inner sanctum of the magazine will also be featuring our custom design services as well...should be an exciting issue!

I'll let you know as soon as I do what pans out!

Love,

Sara