The Audacious Dress just dropped in the Fashion Not Fear Collection. It mixes the classics of gold buttons and maxi length with a beautiful vintage inspired, printed fabric.
I previously shared the original sketch that was to be made with puffy sleeves. But after taking a poll on IG, I decided to nix the sleeves.
So glad I did…
Size small already sold out! Only size medium and large remains. As you know, pieces in the Fashion Not Fear Collection are limited so grab yours while you can.
Thoughts on the Audacious Dress? Let me know in the comments…
Not too long ago, I posted a sketch of a new dress being made for the Fashion Not Fear Collection.
Iāve really been wanting to get my followers more involved in the process of making this dress. Everyone has options they want to share. And I love hearing them!
The first question I asked on IG stories was whether to go with a solid or a printed fabric.
Printed fabric won by a landslide. So, I took a lot of time to find a vintage inspired fabric to make this dress out of.
After getting advice on the fabric, I posted another question a few days ago to get advice.
The bodice was being made. After putting on one sleeve, I left the other one off to ask, āShould the dress be made with or without sleeves?ā
100% voted to go with no sleeves. Thatās what I was thinking. Which is why I asked. Plus, itās gonna hit almost 100 degrees this week. So, this girl wants her arms out.
Be sure to follow me on IG so you can be apart of the next creation. Plus, there is an AWESOME giveaway happening on there right now. Look for the post on our page.
This look will be finished this weekend. Iām so excited to share it with you. Thoughts on the changes?? Let me know in the comments…
In addition to offering a handmade collection, Fashion Not Fear, on Blue Labels Boutique, made-to-measure and custom looks are also available.
With this option, I receive lots of requests to make custom dresses. Especially for special occasions like a birthday party, prom, bridal party, etc.
Although, Iām soooooo grateful for the opportunity to make something special for a person. It does come with its challenges. The main one being…prices.
Typically, someone reaches out through social media or the boutique to inquire about pricing of an item that they want made. Once I receive it, I ask a few questions and then advise them that they will receive a response within 48 hours.
During that time, I research the cost of materials needed. In addition to adding in the labor cost.
This is usually my reply. If I could make it for a lower price, I would. But you canāt even get fabric for $50!
People try to haggle with me about the price. Iāve even been accused of trying to overcharge people. I take a lot of pride in making garments. At a reasonable price. Itās easy to buy wholesale and offer that on my site. (I do that too.). But the time and effort it takes to create a custom garment is much more labor intensive, time consuming, and satisfying.
My thought is…you can run to some fast fashion place and buy a dress. But it will be like everyone elseās and the fitting could be off. Mass produced pieces can usually be found for a lower price. But itās hard to find what you want, when you know what you want.
Wearing something that was made specially for you just hits different. And the price you spend to get it is worth it. Plus, unlimited alterations until it fits exactly how you want. You canāt go wrong!
So, the next time you want to purchase a custom look, heres a few things to consider…
Fabric has to be found and most of the time it isnāt cheap
Notions such as buttons and zippers also cost money
You are buying something that others wonāt be wearing specially made for you.
If you have a budget set, let the maker know when you make the inquiry.
Life long alterations are available.
Be realistic and open-minded.
Soooo, thatās why I canāt make a dress for $50. š¤·š½āāļø Have you ever bought a custom look? What was your experience like? Let me know in the comments..
Interested in getting something custom? Check out more information here! Iāll be nice. I promise. š¤š½
A few days ago, I shared a sketch of the next dress being made for the Fashion Not Fear Collection.
In that post, the question was asked if the dress should be made from a printed material or a solid color material. The poll question was also asked on IG story. Print won by an overwhelming margin on both platforms.
After you helped to pick a fabric style, my search was on! I knew I wanted something that was rich in color. But also something that has sort of a vintage look.
Well, without further ado…check out the fabric that was selected.
It has colors of green, yellow, white, navy, orange and specks of other colors too. I searched high and low for a textile that would match the look I was going for. And this one nailed it!
And so the sewing is about to begin. Canāt wait for you to see this one completed. What are your thoughts on the fabric? Let me know in the comments…
Prints won by a very large margin. So this dress will definitely be made from a printed material. Stay tuned for the reveal! Thoughts on which I should go with??? Drop them in the comments…
Each time began to source fabric for a new piece to add to the Fashion Not Fear collection, I always have this burning question that has to be answered before I start deep diving. Solids or prints? I’ve made lots of looks using both. And I’m certainly not going to make a look out of fabric that I don’t love. But I do wonder how do you (the consumer) feel about the textile being used?
When I considered what my answer would be if I asked the question myself. My immediate answer was prints. Hands down. In my opinion, prints adds a unique touch to the look before ever deciding what will be made from it. You might see others in the same color that you are wearing. But when have you ever ran across someone who was wearing the same dress and print that you were wearing?? Damn near never. I would think. Prints are fun. They tell a story all on their own. Leopard prints seem to say that you have a wild side. While a nautical print might say that you are on a vacation. Florals give off this feminine feel. While an ethnic print might say that you want to show off your heritage.
Solids on the other hand tell a different story. All black is classic and sophisticated. Reds are fiery while representing love and lust. Solids are classic and timeless. But that is actually what I like about solids. They never age. They will forever be in style. There is nothing like a great fitting black or red dress. You just can’t go wrong with sticking with those classics. Now that I think about it more. Maybe solids are my favorite??
I looked through the collection of Fashion Not Fear styles to determine which I usually go with….solids or prints. It looks like prints win for me. And when it came down to choosing one of my favorite looks from the collection. I chose a print. So, maybe I do like prints more??!
Im so confused…
I’m in the process of creating new looks for Fashion Not Fear. I’d love for you to help me decide on what type of fabrics to get. What do you prefer…solids or prints?? And why? Let me know in the comments…
I was in the Winter Vortex that hit Texas. Which might not sound like much to you (depending on where you are). But itās major. Let me tell you!
On Monday around 2am, I got out of bed to use the restroom. It felt kind of chilly so I peeked out of the windows and snow was everywhere. I was so excited. I woke up my husband to see it and everything. Heās from Cleveland so he could really care less heās seen it so much but he did it anyway.
When I made it to the bathroom, I noticed the lights didnāt come on. āThe snow probably knocked it out.ā Okay, no big deal. I went back to bed. When we officially got up for the day, the lights were still off. Weird. I thought but hopefully they will be on soon. Well, thatās not what happened!
We went without consistent electricity for 4 days. Any idea how hard it is to stay warm when your house is 40 degrees?! Plus, our 8 month old doesnāt understand why Iām trying to get him to stay under the cover all day while wearing layers and layers of clothes.
My husband and baby go to bed early every night. Which is normally fine for me. It gives me some āmeā time. Plus, I get a chance to watch what I want on tv, do stuff for my business, and wear my LED face mask with no interruptions.
My family going to bed early didnāt bother me before the vortex but during the storm was a different story…
With no lights, heat, or internet. No tv and the inability to use my phone to make sure it stays charged was hell! When they went to sleep around 8pm. I was up. Iām a night owl. It hasnāt changed cause of the storm. It might’ve been worse during the storm because there was more things for me to worry about. So, from 8pm until the wee hours of the morning, I would find myself laying in the dark, silent night; staring at a candle.
Can you imagine what type of things go through my head?? Well, Iāll tell you….
Am I doing the right things with my business? Am I a good mother? Does my husband think Iām a good wife? How much should I invest in the stock market? What was my childhood like? Where do I see myself in five years? Do ghosts exist?
I made a food budget (on paper by candlelight) and wrote some new affirmations. It was sad. There is nothing wrong with pondering life or doing any of the things I was doing. I just don’t feel like its the best idea when you’re not in good spirits.
It wasn’t just the lack of electricity we were dealing with. It was the scarcity of food. Going to the grocery store to pick up what we wanted for dinner was not an option. Cooking was out the window. Plus, the grocery store was BARE!!! So, we ate canned salmon and tuna for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We wanted to keep our car with a full tank o gas but people were lined up at the gas stations like you’ve never seen before. It was a mess.
Iāve never suffered from lack of confidence. Never thought of myself as being depressed. Iāve doubted myself at times but my mindset was on another level. I’m used to be upbeat, mostly happy and positive. I make it my business each day to find something good to focus on that day. But those vortex days left my positivity level super low. Usually, when I’m feeling low, I exercise. It really helps me to shed any negative thoughts or stress. But working out caused sweat. Why would I want to get sweaty only to be freezing even more when I was done. Then I would have to lay my sweaty, funky ass in the bed with my family??? That was a no go.
I crawled out of my dark hole once I realized that my family was also affected by the fact that we were going without basic needs. My baby seemed to be confused because we stayed in the bed the entire time in the darkness. So he cried and frowned more than I’ve ever seen. My husband went from being upbeat and positive to being tired and over it. My mom was texting me saying that she felt sad and tired. My sister in law was worried bout getting food. It was a lot.
I decided it was time to take charge and make the most of it. We charged up our phones in the car. Then used that juice to download movies on Netflix to watch. We pulled out the Scrabble board and Dominoes. We shared old stories that each of us didn’t know about each other. And at the first chance of any sign of melting snow, we jumped in the car and rode around that city. Luckily, we were able to get gas.
Here’s what I’ve learned….
Nothing is promised. Even if you pay for it.
My husband and baby are my ride or dies.
We can’t depend on others to feed us so we must start to figure out how to grow food.
We need to have an emergency kit together that has flash lights, batteries, candles, etc.
Always have a back up plan.
Continue to look for the things to be grateful for. Even in dark times. Your mental health counts on it.
This was truly the longest four days of my life. Our experience is no comparison to reading and seeing what some other families are going through. Lost loved ones, lost homes, and more. There are rumors of people signing petitions and filing suits to hold people accountable. And if there is, I’m putting my name on the list. For sure. If there is one thing I’d want you to take from my story it is this….hold your loved ones tight, cherish every moment, and make the most of any situation. With or without electricity.
Were you affected by the Winter weather? Are you in Texas? Let me know in the comments…
This is a question I asked myself a few days ago. The thought started after doing some research. In an effort to elevate Fashion Not Fear, Iām always researching, learning, listening, etc. This time the plan was to research what people look for in what they consider a luxury brand. What makes a person invest in a brand?
I summed up my research and hereās what I found:
1. Many people who buy luxury canāt afford it.
2. Some consumers consider non-luxury as inferior. They assume that it is of a better value or quality because it is higher priced.
3. Luxury goods increases some peopleās self esteem and provides a sense of belonging.
4. Buying luxury goods provides a sense of accomplishment.
Admittedly, I used to fall into each one of these categories. Iāve bought clothes and bags that I couldnāt afford. Because it made me feel good about myself. It made me feel like I was a step above the rest. Plus, it had to have the logo or name on the outside just to be sure that everyone knew that I was doing it big!
My thoughts changed when I started to pay attention to the quality of the goods that were āluxuryā. The bags that cost $500 was peeling. Dresses that cost hundreds of dollars couldnāt even stand a wash on the gentle cycle. They would turn out with lint or would be stretched out where it no longer fit the same.
I slowly started buying clothes that were well constructed and of good material. Without even looking at the label. This was years before creating Fashion Not Fear.
Why spend that kind of money on something that was gonna have to be thrown away or given away because it turned out to be a piece of crap?!
Why waste the money??
Years later, I started working on Fashion Not Fear. After never really being able to find the style or fit I was looking for. And if I did, I Sam sure wasnāt going to spend a stack of cash on it. For dead if the same thing happening. I knew I could r be the only one who wanted a cute dress to wear that wasnāt so cheap that it couldnāt be cleaned without shrinking. But wasnāt so expensive that I had to make payment arrangements on my light bill in order to but it.
Now, I define luxury in my own way. I want what Iām wearing to make me feel pretty, confident, and comfortable. While I still have money left to cover my bills and buy a cocktail!
Who cares how cute you look if you donāt have any money left to leave the house anyway, right?! š¤·š½āāļø
How do you define a luxury brand? What decisions do you consider when Celebrity influence, style, affordability, etc. let me know in the comments,,,
There you have it! 5 awesome picks if this is your color. Feeling any pieces?! Cop āem while you can and leave a comment to let me know which ones you like!
