Only the Strong Survive

I consider myself a very optimistic and a "glass half full" kind of person. My passion is to venture into the world and fit independent designers with boutiques and clients that I believe are perfect for their lines. Lately I've been a little discouraged and I need to shake it and move forward ("half full, half full, half full . . .)

One huge difference I've found between independent fashion and established labels is simply name recognition. True story, I had a client say to me "why would I buy a handbag for $300 from you when I can get one for a little more that says Louis Vuitton?" My answer to her was, nicely "because you make your own way and your own style and that's what sets you apart." The quality, time, value, craftsmanship, and uniqueness in independent designs are second to none. Not to say that I wouldn't fall over for a Valentino gown in his signature Valentino Red BUT there are only certain fashion houses on the entire planet (Valentino being one) that can truly boast Haute Couture and the art of it. So in a way Valentino can kind of relate to independent fashion. Personally I decided to help independent accessory and fashion designers with getting their name out there because I don't want what everyone else has. I thought more people felt the way I did but I'm running into brick walls at every turn (and I am a very likeable person!!) with boutiques.

IndySwank in Indianapolis, Indiana has welcomed us and Catherine Fritsch's line, Sweet Revenge Lingerie, with open arms. Jennifer Von Deylen owns this wonderful boutique and really focuses on special pieces and independent designers (as well as the most fantastic Vintage). I contacted her and she immediately replied and set an appointment. I realize not all business transactions are this easy - I guess I just hoped everyone would fall in love with my designers as fast as I did and it would just be that easy.

One boutique (I'm not naming names) said to me after I had contacted them regarding one of my lines "oh we don't buy independent designers so we're not interested." I said "may I ask why?" They said "just past experience we've had with them and their stuff takes too long to get here and it's usually one piece here and there and it was just a headache." I said (again, very nicely) "I'm sorry you've had bad experiences with independent fashion in the past but not all independent designers operate in that fashion." Needless to say they still wouldn't budge. Fashion is completely and absolutely personal so I have to understand the way they feel. It's unfortunate, though, that they are missing out on so much talent and so much creative genius that lives right under their nose.

I bring all of this up for one reason and one reason only. I'm not a quitter and my designers are so awesome and I believe in each and every one of them to my core - or I wouldn't be so vested in their success! Before I take on a line or designer I literally have to fall in love (going back to the whole fashion is personal thing again) with them. Every line and every designer we represent I would wear personally. You have to have a very open mind and not follow the crowd when it comes to expressing who you are through your own style. It's funny but looking back at my 34 years on this earth I find that fashion has been a constant for me. Something that always got me through good and bad times - an outward expression of who I was/am at certain times in my life. One can be insecure about many things in life but when you have your own style and feel confident in who you are and what you do - your insecurities don't show and no one would ever know about them and isn't that the point?

Independent fashion is me, it is Aesthetic Design Style, and it will be in your closet - THAT I am taking full responsibility for right now! So, ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE but I am also saying that ONLY THE STRONG WILL THRIVE and that's us!!

Until Then: "Make the most of who you are for that's all there is of you anyway."

When Rachel Zoe Speaks - We Listen

Everyone has their own opinion regarding Rachel Zoe - I happen to love her. So when I stumbled upon her "The Not So Basics Guide - 20 Wardrobe Essentials" I just HAD to share. They all really make a lot of sense along with being fantastic. Some of her picks are on the more expensive side but if you use this as a guide you can put your own twist on her recommendations. Which is what we all should do anyway in order to stay true to who we are. Fashion is the one thing that lets us express EXACTLY who we are without saying a word - I just get all excited!!!

So here we go!! Rachel Zoe's 20 Wardrobe Essentials everyone should have (with pics of examples I have found from independent designers -of course!)

• Nude Pump: Pretty Birdie Handmade Wooden Platforms $550

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• Dark Trouser Jean: Melynda's Denim $60

Oversized Satchel: Large Brown Leather Travel Laptop Bag by The Leather Shop $160

• Sheer Detail Tee: Couture Silk Angel Wing Blouse by Prizy Sebastian $210

Body Con Dress: Bobbie Dress by Lara Miller $198

• Party Skirt: Katya Skirt by ANA!S $68

• Menswear Inspired Timepiece: Handcraft Watch TRES by JHA & Marianne $198

• Perfect Red Nail Polish - Essie Lollipop $8
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Feminine Blouse: Long Sleeved Black Collared Blouse by BrookeCatherine Designs $75

• Abstract Print Scarf: Silk Scarves "Spring" by Silk Wonders $40














• Dark Slim Fit Jean: Duende Skinny Jeans $99

• Standout Clutch: Metallic Oversized Heather Clutch by Brynn Capella $249
  
  
• Leather Biker Jacket: Black Leather Biker Chic Jacket by Santos Leather $280





















• Go-To Sunnies: Vintage Thin Frame Sunglasses by L I M I $15

• Wide Leg Jersey Knit Pant: Wide Leg Trouser by YYSTUDIO $128
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Oversized Sweater: French Draped Terry Cardigan by Lamixx $201

• Statement Making Flat: Lucy Zebra Flat by Kathryn Kerrigan $99

• Cocktail Ring: Royal Ball - Vintage Fashion Ring by ShaSAM3 $60

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• Denim Jacket: Your Ruffle Denim Jacket by The Butterflies Shop $69




















• Timeless Hat: Emilliner Women's Classic Felt Fedora $325

Until Then: "Style is what one creates - glamour is a state of mind." - Rachel Zoe

The End of Summer Means HUGE Savings

As we all know the sight of opaque tights, knee high boots, tweed, suede, and quilting in our favorite shops are true signs that summer will soon be a distant memory - once again. Yes that also means it's time for me to wade through my closet and box up my "summer" clothes and shoes and bust out my "winter" clothes suit cases. As I've gotten much wiser (not older, just wiser) I have eliminated my trepidation about this whole unavoidable task by making smarter and better quality choices about how I view my wardrobe.

There are a few pieces I have that can actually carry me from summer to fall to winter to spring and back again. They are investment pieces but they are worth it in the long run. Especially now that I have 3 daughters and don't have 4 hours to get dressed let alone 15 minutes for myself - but that's what I signed up for!!! Don't get me wrong, there are few true fall/winter pieces that I just couldn't live without that would NEVER do for spring/summer. But the pieces I do keep out year round can easily be paired with many things to create unique looks - AND no one knows - well, until now.

Changing up your accessories and adding color is the easiest and most inexpensive way to stretch your dollar and your wardrobe. This works in all seasons. And like I always say "accessories always fit!". No matter how many kids you have or how many times you get married or divorced - accessories always keep their shape!

A great way to stock up on these timeless wardrobe necessities is to catch the end of season sales - BUT this can be tricky. You MUST find accessories that are unique, good quality, and are stylish NOT TOO TRENDY! If you get caught in the trap of trends then you will find yourself on the fast track to being out of fashion before you know it. Knowing how to incorporate a trend here and there is always good. Trend overkill, on the other hand, is the true testament to someone who may still be trying to find their own personal style by following what they feel everyone else is doing. Hence they never find their own style identity.

I happen to have 3 fabulous offers for you to get started on your new outlook on fashion:

• Brynn Capella Handbags is offering below wholesale pricing on sample sale items. This is a fantastic way to try out a new chic handbag that no one else has at recession friendly pricing. The quality of these bags is undenied and once you get one - you'll be back for her fall line - trust!



• Erin Braxton Loungewear is offering her wonderful line of loungewear at an exceptional discount. Just use promo code EBSUMMER25 at checkout and receive $25 off your order of $100 or more. You'll never sleep in your husband's sweats again - trust!



• Chic Gems Etc., is teaming up with us, Aesthetic Design Style, and offering 50% off to all of our customers through Monday, August 17th! You can only get the discount by using code ADS50 at checkout. Also with any $100 (after discount) purchase you receive a FREE pair of pearl earrings! Now who can pass that up? Chic Gems Etc., is clearing out merchandise to make room for her two new lines: The Signature Line and The Couture Line - you do NOT want to miss that launch - trust!

So, you see we've gotten you off to a GREAT start for fall. Take advantage of the wonderful offers above and off you go!

Until then: “The goal I seek is to have people refine their style through my clothing without having them become victims of fashion.” Giorgio Armani

Hello Spring! (Well, Spring-LIKE Weather)

The weather is starting to break for the better and so are our minds! We are starting to get outside more, be more conscious of our appearance, and dusting off all of the amazing peep toe pumps, wedges, and strappy sandals in all of their glory! Though with this economy buying an abundance new outfits seems more of a task than usual. That's why adding strong "pieces" to our already existing wardrobes is the route most are taking this year.

Aesthetic Design Style to the rescue!!!!!!!!! Visit us and see how you can add unique, affordable, and quality pieces to your wardrobe without being an economic fashion disaster. We just added yet another spectacular designer to our fam so you are now covered from the inside out. Welcome evlove intimates - where you are the designer of the most fabulous intimate apparel. Top that off with some color at Chic Gems Etc. or Mattanda and grab a handbag (or 5!) at Brynn Capella or Bags of Blessing depending upon the occasion (or none at all because I don't need an occasion to buy a handbag - or anything for that matter!)

We invite you to join us on our journey of independence and to "step outside the box"!

Until then: "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." Coco Chanel

American Women of Invention

I was flipping through a Bed Bath and Beyond ad the other day and I came across something that caught my eye. No, not that adorable bed-in-a-bag but a small article that they included in the sidebar of one of their spreads. It was titled "American Women of Invention". It then lists some major inventions that women were responsible for and some we would be lost without in today's society.

• 1809 Mary Kies gets the first patent for the weaving process (try buying a non-woven rug and see how that works out for you!)


• 1812 Tabitha Babbitt invents the Circular Saw (Take that boys!)


• 1882 Maria Beaseley invents the Life Raft (the few survivors of the Titanic can thank Maria for her quick thinking)


• 1887 Anna Connelly invents the Fire Escape (seems like a handy invention in the case of some millions of people who live in city apartments)


• 1903 Mary Anderson invents the Windshield Wiper (and they say WE'RE the bad drivers - try driving in the rain without these!)


• 1951 Bette Nesmith Graham invents Correction Fluid (I personally will begin to thank her at least once a day as I correct my many mistakes)

I bring this to your attention because we, as women, have gone unnoticed for many many more things in history and in the present that I am sure we are unaware of. If you have ever heard of these women I mentioned above then you are way ahead of me and I commend you. If you have not (like me) we need to dig a little deeper and find all the phenomenal things we are capable of and have been capable of throughout history. If you study the inventions these brilliant women have come up with you'll notice that they are extremely logical as we women usually are. Each separate invention ultimeately started out as a problem that needed to be solved and the solution brought each invention to fruition. For example, I'm sure Ms. Tabitha Babbitt was so tired of spending hours and hours trying to saw a 2x4 with a hand saw and thought to herself "there has to be a better way". And she found it.

So, along comes 2009. Here we are. It's a new year and a new beginning. What are you going to do with it? Are you finally going to write that book? Are you going to start that business? Go back to school? Invent a way to be in 18 places at once (I'm in for whoever comes up with this one first!)? The world is ours and ours for the taking. Be confident and do what you love. Nothing is promised to us and I think this past year has proven that in a very real way. We need to help each other as people and as women and stay positive.

I love to help people and I love fashion. I love my family above all else. I finally found a way to combine ALL of those elements and in doing so I found myself again. I also found my love for appreciating beauty in things again as well. I get to work with the most amazing designers who also happen to be some of the most amazing women you will ever meet. We are all doing what we love but in different capacities yet we have found a common ground to come together and help each other succeed in our individual businesses and lives. Not to get too deep but it really is a beautiful thing.

Do what you love everyday. Find your passion. Get excited about life! Then go to Aesthetic Design Style and reward yourself with the most fantastic handbags and jewelry. You'll feel good knowing that you are supporting women, just like you, who are happy to greet the day doing what we love. Chic Gems Etc., Brynn Capella, Mattanda, and Bags of Blessing!

Until next time: "Anything less than a loving thought is TOXIC" - Dean Martens

Aesthetic Design is EXTENDING our Virtual Online Trunk Show Until 2/28/09

Finish the Month of February with Style - Aesthetic Design Style that is!

With overwhelming response, we are extending our Virtual Online Trunk Show featuring Chic Gems Etc. and Bags of Blessing. Along with these two fabulous designers you will find handbags by Brynn Capella at Chic Gems Etc. online. Also just added, beautiful handmade scarves at Bags of Blessing. You will still receive 10% off from Chic Gems Etc. and FREE Shipping from Bags of Blessing.

Come see what everyone is talking about.

Always remember: "Creativity is the ability to see that which is waiting to exist"