Color Me Pretty

Fall 2013 Fabric Swatches

Nothing stresses me out more than fabric and color choices! Collections are put together at least a year in advance, if not more. This means that a year before the Vogue FALL 2013 special edition comes out telling me what the "hot" colors are for the season I have to guesstimate what they will be. I have two things on my side though....my line is vintage inspired, so I am not a complete slave to the trendy colors of the season and the lingerie industry has their own set of rules about colors: think black or nude. I chose the above colors because I thought they we're sophisticated and sexy and the flower print is quintessential Georgia J all the way. 

What A Glamorous Job-Part 2

Fabric Warehouse-Downtown Los Angeles

Bump-a-da-bump-a-da-bump-a. That's the sound of my car as it drives over the railroad tracks in the far eastside of downtown Los Angeles. A friend has given me an address of a fabric warehouse she says I should check out. I'm hopelessly lost and feeling out of place in my little jetta amongst all the deserted, gray industrial buildings. I finally locate the place and it looks like a drug bust could go down at any minute! I see a small, drab sign that says, 5 Star Fabrics, on the side of the building. I tenatively walk through the door, not sure of what I'll find inside. What I find is a goldmine. Rows and rows of bolts of fabric and aisles of laces and trims. Today, my gamble into unknown territory pays off. I find the perfect stretch lace fabric for my Fall 2013 collection at a great price. Sometimes, however, I'm not so lucky. I've spent many hours pounding the dusty pavement of the downtown fashion district, only to come up empty handed and disheartened at the end of the day. Today's adventure was well worth it and I feel a bit giddy as I drive back to my workroom. 

What A Glamorous Job-Part 1

my workroom

When I tell people what I do for a living, they always respond with, "what a glamorous job!" Perhaps they are imagining that I attend fashion shows all over the world and work in a fantastic loft downtown while wearing designer stiletto Manolo Blaniks. I'm here to tell you that while gratifying in many ways, glamorous it's not. I work from home in a small workroom downstairs. Most days begin with a big cup of coffee, a rudimentary beauty regiment, a simple outfit of leggings and black flats and then its downstairs for work. I spend most of my days designing, sketching, patterning etc., except for the times I need to go downtown to pick up supplies (see "a glamorous job-part 2"). The highlights of my day are when something I've been working on becomes an actual living garment. The other day I completed the prettiest little lace bra for my collection that was perfect in every way. Satisfying, yes. Glamorous, no. 

It's All In The Logo.

FINAL LOGO 

So you'd think that designing a logo would be lots of fun, right? It's actually a little stressful! A logo communicates to the world in one small symbol who you are as a company. A good logo will have immediate appeal to your main customer and will be identifiable to your unique product. Even the font you use can convey a meaning or a mood. I went through three logos before I picked the one on the bottom. What do you think? Does it represent the Georgia J product: playful, lovely lingerie with a hint of vintage flair? 

Early Impressions

My Grandma on her wedding day

It all started with my outgoing, entrepreneurial grandma who used to sell bras and girdles out of her home for a company called Figurettes. A visit to her house was a chance to try on beautiful lingerie and a chance to feel pretty. My designs and personal style are a reflection of these impressionable visits: a little bit of vintage, a little bit of sass, and a little bit of lovely. 

Lace: You've Come A Long Way BABY!

Me on my first day of school

My mother used to dress me up in lace tights for school. You read that right, for school! By the end of the day the crotch had shimmied down to my knees and scratched my legs to a point of agonizing discomfort. Luckily, with the modern additions of spandex and nylon fibers, lace is now super soft, wearable and sexier than ever. Look for lots of lace in my FALL 2013 collection.