More GLAM Design, Fall 2010

The Fall 2010 "GLAM" release is taking shape. Here's another design to get all excited about.

(c) 2010 American Duchess Apparel

Fall 2010 Design Directions

(c) 2010 American Duchess ApparelTM

With ADA's recent success at being accepted into a lovely local boutique in Reno (details to follow!), we're already off and running with new designs for this coming Fall.

Some excellent feedback from buyers and shop owners has given us a bit of a new design direction. We'd like to explore the bright, bold look that is so popular right now, while still maintaining our love of rococo and victoriana. Think hot pinks, cool grays, and black silhouettes. We love chandeliers, candelabras, birds, umbrellas, and cool Victorian scrollwork, so these are the kinds of elements you'll see working their way into next season's GLAM look!

Suggestions are always welcome, and we LOVE comments! If you're not already a follower of this blog, please click the "follow" button at left. You can also become a fan of American Duchess Apparel on Facebook by clicking in the box at left.

Spring/Summer 2010 Catalog

Finally, the PDF version of our first catalog. The catalog was originally designed in "spreads," images and layouts that span two pages. This is why it looks a little choppy when you view it, but you have the ability to print it out on standard 8.5x11" paper, whereas our printed catalog is A3 sized paper, saddle-stitched. So click the link below!:

American Duchess Apparel Spring/Summer 2010 Catalog

American Duchess on Etsy

The American Duchess shop is being built on Etsy. This is a shop that will link this apparel line with the 18th c. costuming blog of the same name. In addition to American Duchess Apparel t-shirts, the shop will feature fun things like embroidery patterns and kits, cockades and jewelry for your costuming (or just for fun!), graphics sheets and snazzy greeting cards, and sewing patterns. Click the image above to visit.

What Happened to Shabby Chic?

Is Shabby Chic dead?

I'm having quite a lot of trouble finding venues for American Duchess Apparel. Our design motif is very Shabby Chic, very "Paris Apartment," but it seems like this is a trend that has come and gone.

I think perhaps our demographic needs a bit of shifting, from women to girls. Unfortunately, privately owned, local boutiques in Reno are for women who have time and money to shop local venues, women who are in their thirties and up. Where do girls in their twenties and younger shop?

Baby Steps

Well, folks, all my Buyer's kits are out, all my PDF catalogs and line sheets are e-mailed, and all my stores are now aware, in some way, of American Duchess Apparel.

It's been crazy! I've not been so nervous in quite awhile, having to cold-call and walk into to face shop owners and pitch to them. Nerve-racking, but also exhilarating!

There is still more work to be done. The catalogs may be in the hands of my buyers, but I will be following up with all of them next week, then preparing a second round of fliers to be mailed out. I believe success in this industry is half good design/product, and half persistence!

The wonderful thing is that Reno's business climate is very warm, approachable, and easy to work in. Being able to walk in to a store and talk to the owner, just that in itself, is amazing! There is a strong network of small business owners here that all support local brands, and are working together to make Reno a unique town full of one-of-a-kind shops. It's an amazing environment to be starting out in!

American Duchess Catalog Spreads

A few spreads from the new Spring/Summer 2010 catalog. This is NOT the full catalog, but just the juiciest bits! I'll post the full PDF catalog for download when it's ready, which will be *very* soon.