Love/Hate Relationship With Social Media

The fashion industry runs a hundred miles per hour, and you barely have enough time to catch up to it before it launches itself into the next trend and takes off again. I’m still trying to figure out where my place is within this vast industry and what I can do to differentiate myself and my brand.

With fashion engaging in social media every second, it makes you wonder if any of it really has any substance, or if it’s all just one big show and tell.  I feel a little torn because social media is a great tool to use for marketing and branding, but when I look at the overwhelming power it has on our social structure, it worries me a little. I’m becoming a little suffocated by all the fashion exposure…not to mention all the personal exposure too. I want to be inspired by the artists and designers out there, not by trends and definitely not by what is being shoved in my face by social media. But like I said, I feel torn because here I am hating on something I need to use to better my brand/business.

I try to use social media as a way to not only market and promote my business, but also as a way to document my journey. I’m storytelling, and every picture and blog post is a part of my story. It’s important to me that I let my supporters know my process so they can travel this journey with me as I grow and become better. I also never want to forget all the hard work I put into my designs. It’s not just about selling clothes, it’s about building a dream and doing what I love.

So although I have mixed feelings about social media, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing because as long as I’m being honest with my process, and I don’t over exploit my purpose, then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about. I’m just going to remain true to the love I have for design and to my own artistic authenticity.

Just Another Photo Shoot Kinda Day!

I feel like it's been forever since I've got to shoot some new pics! Thanks to my awesome friend, Sylvia, I was able to post some new things I've been working on. Everything is made from recycled materials. I've up-cycled scarves, dresses, and sweaters to create brand new designs. Sustainable fashion is something I've very passionate about, and I'm trying to do my part in creating a line built on the principle that great designing is also smart/resourceful designing. 

Recycled Clothing

When it comes to finding material, my favorite place to shop is at the thrift store. I'm a big advocate for recycling old fashions into new, and I love participating in the use of sustainable clothing. Not only is this practice cheap and affordable, it's also environmentally friendly.

I choose to create my designs from recycled materials; as a designer I want to make sure I do my part in how I create my products. Designing is not just about how something looks, it's about materials used, along with cost and production value of those materials.

One practice of sustainable clothing is the up cycling of recycled fabrics. I participate in this practice for almost everything I create. When I'm thrift shopping I can usually find vintage material as well as unique and unusual design patterns for a reasonable price. I'm very conscious about the money I invest in AVCD because as a independent designer I'm on a small budget.

Fashion Riot

WOW!! It's been a while since I've blogged!! Feels good to get back into it and to have something to actually blog about! 

I had so much fun at Fashion Riot!! It was the first time I actually got to plan and coordinate a fashion show, and I loved every minute of it!! I can now add event planner to my resume! Woot! Woot! ;) 

I've been involved with independent fashion shows for almost 2 years and after my last RAW show I had this idea to create one of my own right here in Des Moines. Now for someone who has only participated in shows, actually planning one was an experience! And you know how they say work experience is something you'll benefit from later down the road...well my experience working in radio promotions definitely helped prepare me for this event! And I have to be honest, it's kinda cool to see that transcend into my fashion endeavors. 

Getting started wasn't an easy task. I reached out to quite a few venues, but no one was giving me the time of day. It wasn't until a friend of mine told me that the Social Club was looking for new gigs to book that I had found my perfect opportunity and venue! I wasted no time in contacting them.They were totally on board!

After booking the venue and picking a date, now it was time to find local boutiques and designers! Top Knots & Polka Dots was the 1st boutique to sign up, then we got Fusion involved, and finally local designer Holly Leas. It was a perfect line up for my little fashion show :)

So here I had my venue, had my designers/boutiques, but who was gonna wear all this clothes?!? I sent out 1 email to Peak Agency and BOOM!! Models booked!! This agency saved my life...otherwise I'd be calling my friends to walk that runway!

Now if you know me...really know me, then you know how TYPE A I can be about things. I must have sent out hundreds of emails since Feb when this all started. I definitely took notes from all the other shows I've participated in and molded my show around those ideas that I knew worked well. I did my homework for past 2 years and I knew I was ready for this. 

The show had a few minor bumps throughout the night...delayed start, messed up sound system, drunk people causing chaos, but we eventually kicked off the show and made it our own. I was so proud of everyone involved and so thankful for all their handwork and dedication. I could never do this on my own. It was such a fun night and definitely a major highlight for me. I got to network, make new friends, and promote my business. It was a success!

I'm such a huge advocate for anyone who creates their own opportunities. You may think your idea or dream is unlikely to ever happen, but I'm here telling you that it can. If you really put forth enough positive energy and determination into something, you're going to get something pretty amazing in return. This experience was positive and so worthwhile. I can't wait to do it again. :)

-Amber XOXO

Here are some pictures from Fashion Riot!!

Top Knots & Polka Dots







Fusion Boutique







AVCD

RAW Video Blog

Raw shows have been a huge part of my growth as a designer. They allow me to showcase my designs, meet new contacts, and also inspire and motivate me to keep progressing forward with my fashion line. Call me crazy, but I absolutely love these shows!

I grew up taking dance, and the intensity I get from these shows reminds me of dance recitals and how fast paced, chaotic, and rewarding it can all be. I grew up on the stage where I got to showcase my talents in dance in front of audiences, and when I get to showcase my designs in front of an audience, the feeling is almost the same.

It's hard to describe, but dance was the 1st love of my life. I always felt at home with dance, and in some strange/weird way I get that feeling with these shows. Like I'm meant to do this. I've only felt that a few times in my life, and when you know you just know. It's a feeling you never want to give up because you love it so much. 

Rock Dollie Ambitions

So I have this game plan of basically working non stop January through March on new Rock Dollie designs and then releasing them little by little April through August. I'm hoping I can bulk up on enough looks with photo shoots and promo videos to make the Rock Dollie season stretch over 4-5 months. 

One of my goals this year for AVCD is to spend more time branding and building the Rock Dollie line. I spent most of last year focusing on the Muryl Jean Collection and I nearly neglected this line. Eventually, when things start to fall into place I'd like to make Rock Dollie a spring line and The Muryl Jean Collection my fall line. 

I might have been overly ambitious to have started with 2 lines right out of the gate, but I love the challenge and although it's kinda messy right now, I know it's going to be worth it. 

1st Video Blog: Meet Amber...

So now that I've reached 500 likes on Facebook I thought it might be a good idea to introduce myself to some of the new people. I also thought a good way of doing that introduction would be with a video. Well for someone who has never made a video before this is as far as I got...

One of my new goals is to start video blogging. This will be a new platform to help promote and expand the AVCD brand. I'm hoping these videos will help me connect more with my followers giving them an insight on who I am as a designer and how I go about building my business.

I don't really have any guidelines for my video blog. It may just turn into a random collection of short videos, and I'm more than ok with that. But what I can tell you is that you'll get to know me more on a personal level as a designer, a dreamer, and an entrepreneur. Maybe people will watch these videos and maybe they won't, and that's ok too. For me personally, this is just another way to document my journey as I chase after my dream. -Amber

Fashion Show: RAW Omaha

Just wrapped up my 5th fashion show in Omaha, and I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the year. I feel accomplished, relieved, and proud of all the work I put into AVCD. It's been a little over a year since I started participating in RAW and to have 5 shows under my belt is a huge accomplishment.

 There are still a few more cities I'd like to show in, and I'm hoping I can knock those out within the next year. I have a lot on my plate as of lately, but honestly I wouldn't want it any other way. The pace of events and projects are picking up, and that means I must be doing something right to continue moving forward as I chase this dream.

Here are some pictures from Raw Omaha.