The Business of Fashion - Where the irrational makes perfect sense-

The business of anything is tough these days. Bread and butter businesses like banks, grocery stores, auto makers for heaven's sake...have fallen as if they were fragile bits of glass rather than stalwarts of the global economy. So it's no surprise that the business of fashion is struggling, too. New York's Fashion Week, just ended, is a testimony to that... AND to the more hopeful and inspiring stories of designers who have persevered. They have stuck with their dreams in spite of ups and downs of the economy, their parent companies, the high cost of fashion shows, materials and the general unwillingness of consumers to open pocketbooks for one-occasion pieces of clothing. Fashion is after all, that blend of art and business. Fashion designers, still inspired by their muses and their love of beauty, face the reality of paying the bills and making ends meet. If a designer puts on a show and no one comes, do they exist?

I'm even more interested in these lessons as I strive to make Jaya Designs a viable business entity, building on my love of the India fabrics, colors and styles... what do you think? What does it take?

Here's a link to Washington Post - read fashion editor Robin Givhan's Valentine's Day article about the business of fashion..."Designers' staying power about much more than clothes..." it's an eye opener! She talks about designers Peter Som, Erin Fetherston, and Zac Posen... each have contributed their unique vision to fashion and showed their passion in their shows last week... and all struggle to keep the dream alive! Givhan's quote says it best: "That's the fascination of the fashion industry. It's a place where the irrational makes perfect sense."

Whew... that's a relief. Onward with Jaya Designs!!

Refreshing like Coconut Water

When I am in India, I try to buy only things unique to India. This includes Indian music; literature… while we were at the Leela Palace Hotel http://www.theleela.com/hotel-bangalore.html, I made my way, slowly and deliciously, through the Oxford Bookstore in the adjacent shopping plaza, and picked up a few freshly published paperbacks by Indian authors that seemed interesting and spoke to me for whatever reason. The first,

Coconut Water, by Sujatha Viswanathan (Stellar Publishers, 2009), http://www.stellarpublishers.com jumped up to greet me with its refreshing cover art of the apt coconut tree on a blue water shore. Indeed, if my December trip to India had a theme, I think it would be coconut – I found myself attracted to all things coconut. (More next time about how that has influenced my Jaya Designs!)

Ms. Viswanathan’s novel is nicely written, even if the story seems a bit too pat, maybe even contrived and several times I found myself cringing at yet another description of her principal character, Chitra’s, perfect husband, marriage and life of wealth (from the emerald necklace her mother in law to be purchased for her for the wedding; to her seemingly effortless opening of a chain of organic restaurants in the US once she and her husband had settled here). Yet it took me back to the sounds, smells and sights of India’s streets and villages and shops and fashions and people… you might enjoy it too. It was an entertaining and quick read. If you do read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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.

Winter inspires... boots!

(rsvp: Olivia) (Gabriella Rucha: Bruna)
India inspired me and my Jaya Designs fashion creations with its lush greenery, jewel-colored flowers, cool grasses and with its wonderful people always dressed in colorful silk sarees. As I gaze outside my window now from my home in Maryland…and watch 12 inches of blizzard piling on top of 27 inches of snowstorm from three days ago… I’m thinking… what does THIS weather inspire in me in a fashion sense. (Besides wanting to pull on my Juicy Couture tracksuit and my I Love Lucy bathrobe with fluffy pink slippers to match, that is??)

Not much of a winter person, this is a tough question… and then I know! I know what I recently did for my wardrobe that invites winter in rather than shuts me down until spring. One word… BOOTS!

A few weeks ago, because of the frigid temperatures here on the East Coast, which felt even colder since I had just returned from the tropical climes of south India, I decided to merge with the season, and got three pairs of delicious boots. (And thanks to Zappos http://www.zappos.com/, what was a dream one evening was reality the very next day… how DO they deliver so fast??)

None of these were more than $150, and I have worn them (and will wear probably well into the warmer seasons) with my Jaya Designs sleek silks and floaty chiffons… and so can you! Check my Jaya Designs website http://www.jayadesigns.net/ for the outfits – and send me your best boot/outfit pairings Surely spring is right around the corner!

(Gabriella Rocha: Rona)

The Flower Ladies

My daughter and I ventured out early one rainy morning while we were in India last month to visit one of my favorite places – the open market in Hosur (where my parents now live, outside Bangalore, in Tamilnadu, south India). Vendors set out their beautiful lineup of vegetables, fruits, flowers… and wait patiently as customers mill about, choosing their pieces and performing the requisite bargaining ritual to get a better price. I stood mesmerized by the colors, the feelings, the voices of the vendors talking to each other, the bustle of them getting settled in their stalls, trying to get protection from the rain that day. My camera pointed everywhere, each scene a portrait. Adriana had her camera, too, and actually caused quite the delighted stir as she carefully set herself up for each shot. As I surveyed the karmic, orderly chaos, I found myself stopping at a row of ladies neatly seated with mounds of flowers to sell. Some of them were expertly stringing them together for garlands and hairpieces – Indian women wear flowers absolutely everywhere, every day, and flowers are gifts to gods, so their purchase is common. The fragrance of those jasmine and tuberoses is something I conjure all winter back at home in Maryland… it is the essence of India to me. And then something else struck me – each of these vendors, and many others we see on the roads especially in the early mornings, are dependent on their day’s sales success in ways we can’t even imagine. Many of them will feed their families… or not… depending on how much they sell. They show up every day and with visible pride in their work, they offer it to customers like us with patience and grace. How much do they earn? Will it be enough for their basic needs today… tomorrow? I admire them so much. They inspire me to keep going, one day at a time and build a life.

Do you know people who inspire you with those qualities? Tell me about them.

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.