K.I.S.S.

Hello there,

Have you ever been told to KISS?
Here's the nice translation: KISS = Keep It Simple Sweetheart.
It's something that has been passed down from one engineer to another at my 'other' job. The underlying advice is that while you can make things very complicated and fancy, you really should consider that keeping it simple may just be the way to go.

Why am I telling you this?
The feature piece in this week's blog post is about keeping it simple. I watch as many fashion design competition shows as I can and I often hear the judges criticize the designers for creating something that has already been done. That used to make me think that a fashion designer must always create something  new and different. There are many ideas that have I have tossed out because a Google search revealed that someone else had done it ... that was until my discussion with my aunt who owns her own design company: Osuare. She explained that sometimes, to make an impact, you just have to look for the simple things and do them your own way.

So here's my simple double peplum top; my way.
If you like it, you can place an order and I'll make one for you too. :)

ZiChiE Designs at WU-BSU Fashion Show

* Zi received an invitation to show ZiChiE Designs pieces at a fashion show held by the Widener University Black Student Union on Saturday, April 11th. To be honest, I wasn't sure we had enough to show but lo and behold, we had more outfits than there were models. :)
** Zi took the designer walk at the end and I was the amateur cameraman who took this video. Perhaps I'll be able to get the official video at some point :)
*** Enjoy the clips below and don't forget to check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs and Facebook: ZiChiE Designs.

NOTE: Full video was too big to upload so give me some time as I create clips from it and upload. Thank You :)

Custom Order - Sight Unseen

* Miss W placed her order with a phone call, 2 emails and a skirt (along with the outfit fabric) sent to me through a friend. This is the first time I ever made a custom order without actually seeing the client and it fit!!!
Normally, I ask my clients to come in for a fitting when I am about 80% done with their outfits so you can imagine my concern when Miss W called and said she won't be able to make it into town (Chester, PA from New York) as planned. I was a bit concerned but with one shot to get this right, I re-checked all her measurements, sent her pictures of the progress and made changes as she suggested over text messages.
** After she received the outfit, she sent me a message saying "Thank you. It fit perfectly and I got a lot of compliments'. Phew! Thank God :) and I mean that sincerely.
*** In retrospect, the lighting could have been better ...

1st Email: Picture of the Style of the Top (Minus the Peplum) She Wanted from Clairnadine

(2nd email had her measurements)

Shopping for Contrasting Fabric

(went with the 2nd one)

1st Picture of the New Skirt with the Sample Skirt

2nd Picture: She Said Make It Shorter

Final Looks: Long Skirt and Short(er) Skirt

Special Request: Crop Top & Open Back Dress

I usually add new posts on Wednesdays but this week has been busy and I let it slide one day. I apologize. Hope you still enjoy the post. :)

    * In the past, I've helped Ms. NT with a number of alterations to pants, skirts, tops and a blazer. Recently, she asked me to make her a long-sleeve crop top and an open back dress similar to the ones here, here and here. Hurrah!!! She gave me a very lovely yellow and red fabric and yes, I was really particular about how I matched up the pattern across the different pieces of the outfits.
  ** Enjoy the pictures below.
*** Check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs.

Crop Top

Ready for Fitting

Final

Closure is an upside-down invisible zipper at the back.

Dress

Ready for Fitting

Final

Closure is a matching covered button at the top of the open back and an invisible zipper at the bottom.

Brown faux leather was added as the sides of the bodice and the strip at the hem. 

First Sight-Unseen Custom Order

  * I was at Ms. R's house for a final fitting of her most recent outfits (one-shouldered peplum top, pencil skirt and shorts) when Ms. W called. Ms. R told Ms. W to get in touch with me for an outfit for a wedding and below is the result. The special thing is that the outfit was made without ever seeing Ms. W; she sent me her measurements, the lace fabric, a picture of the top she wanted and a skirt she wanted to duplicate. I sent her a picture of the coordinating fabric options before buying and the final outfit before delivery, she wanted the skirt shorter, I cut, hemmed and sent another picture. In the end, she texted: "It fits perfectly ... people liked the outfit". Mission accomplished. :)
  ** Check out the 'Hers' page for other pictures.
*** Check us out on Instagram @zichie_designs.

Below are pictures from after the skirt was shortened.