Inspiration- Helping Haiti

My blog is focused on inspiration, living a creative life and being part of the world beyond our front door as a way to be the best version of ourselves possible. The events of the past two weeks have reminded me of this in shocking intensity: as the people of Haiti struggle to deal with extreme conditions of life and death, and the anguish of physical and emotional pain and separation, my heart has gone out to them. As a mother, I can barely process the photos and stories of families destroyed in such devastating ways. And then my thoughts are lifted - by the work of rescue and aid agencies there on the ground, those volunteers working around the clock, putting aside their own emotional and physical needs to help those in dire situations. In particular, my heart is full of gratitude for my (former) colleagues at the Red Cross - the American, International and Red Crescent organizations. Not only have these volunteers galvanized into action, as they always do, using their disaster training and their spirits of giving to leave their own families behind to help, they are using innovative technologies to raise money... the money it will take not only to survive now, but to help the Haitian people rebuild and have homes once again.

I was head of communication for the Red Cross in Los Angeles in the late 1990s... and went through the disaster and other trainings - and so I know firsthand - how the people of the world look to the Red Cross for expert response during these times of severe crisis because they know they can count on them. And i know the people of the Red Cross are serious about helping - I know so many people who, employed by other companies and organizations, would take their vacation time to do disaster training and then go out on disaster relief missions - as volunteers.

My family, through its work with Community Uplift Projects, International (http://www.cupinternational.org/), keeps the daily needs of children and families on the top of my priority list each day. I urge you to send your support (financial, physical, moral) to the Red Cross, too - they deserve it and they need all of us.

Ways to help through the Red Cross:
http://www.redcross.org/
Text "Haiti" to 90999
http://redcrosschat.org/

Note: The information and opinion presented in this blog and its posts are exclusive and personal to the author and guest authors and are not intended to represent any other entity, business or individual.

What inspires you?

Remember I said I had no background in fashion and this is a BRAND new venture for me? In the spirit of not being a complete moron about it, I attended a basic fashion flat drawing class organized by G Street Fabrics in Falls Church, Virginia, this past weekend. My challenge: translating the beautiful designs in my head onto paper in some sort of legible form so the tailors have some way of understanding me! (I've spent my life focused on writing and photography - not drawing!) The six hour class was taught by a beautiful fashion designer named Raia Kaouk, who is getting her start in the U.S. after being trained in her home country and spending time in Paris for training. She gave the 6 of us in the class a great overview of the basics of drawing, inspiring us with her portfolio, which includes her wedding dress! She was inspired by Louis XVI (so we already have a lot in common... I'm inspired by Louis, too... Louis Vuitton!)

The key is to find a source of inspiration for fashion design. I found my inspiration in the silks and golds and lushness of Indian sarees and India itself. I'd like to share more of this inspiration with you in my upcoming posts. And I'd LOVE to hear from you - what inspires you? What inspires your clothing choices, your home decor, your travel, your work, your creativity? Please share with all of us by commenting to this blog post. And enjoy some of these photos from the Jaya Designs spring 2010 collection - called "Maharajah" - thanks! Find more at http://www.jayadesigns.net/

Note: The information and opinion presented in this blog and its posts are exclusive and personal to the author and guest authors and are not intended to represent any other entity, business or individual.

Welcome to Designing Life - for inspiration and style

Hi everyone – welcome to my blog!
I started a fashion design business – officially a year ago; unofficially, ten years ago. This is the reinvention phase of my life, I suppose… I am not a fashion designer by training or background… I am a business and public relations professional, and have been for more than 20 years. I can write and I can market and I can promote and I can communicate… I am not highly trained in drawing or sewing … but I am artistic and get rave reviews for how I dress, the way I put together colors, fabrics and looks and have always since a child been hyper-conscious of hair, face, body, clothing… it’s of great interest for me.

And then shortly after college, I discovered that the traditional Indian sari, with its six yards of gorgeous silk fabric, makes the perfect material for outfits I could wear to parties, work, everywhere. So I sketched (very rudimentary drawings, really) simple short and long skirts, sleeveless tops with covered buttons and longish suit coats to coordinate. Taking these to my family’s tailors in India during our vacation visits, I was able to make these sketches a reality. Wearing them around town, I received great comments, including questions about where to buy them.

So now, people can buy them. I’ve started a small side business called Jaya Designs (www.jayadesigns.net) and through private parties and the website, I’m selling a variety of clothing pieces and accessories, authentically crafted by Indians and from Indian materials, to express my love for fashion and beauty. And… this is very important – part of the proceeds from my sales go to support health, education and care for children, women and families in south India through a project called Anantha Ashram – a program run by my family (the nonprofit we have in the U.S. is called Community Uplift Projects, International – www.cupinternational.org).

So this blog is about my adventures in fashion design and what that means for the rest of my life. I will share with you how I’m designing the rest of my life to include how I learn about fashion and its business; how I create and expand my network of customers; how I create balance and flow with my “real” profession; what inspires me; health and beauty tips; how I find the time and energy to do it; the people who help me; and the essence of India, which is the theme empowering my dream.

I need all the feedback and insights from you that you’re willing to share back with me – so please comment on my blog … frequently! As we go, I promise to include specials and coupons for my clothing items… you won’t want to miss those!
I hope my new Designing Life blog will inspire you to find ways to re-invent, transform and expand your life also. It’s a new year – let’s begin!