Broken

Wow, what a week!  If you follow me on Twitter, then you may already know that I had a nerves breakdown two days ago. The past couple of days have been such a trial for me, I mean gees!  First....it all started while I was working on my collection for the upcoming fashion show (yeah, the one in two weeks!), when suddenly my bobbin (sewing machine part) starts sounding like lose change, it was all down hill from there.  As much as I tried to fix it, it just wasn't happening. So I rushed over to my local Joann Store, picked up a new but cheap sewing machine, only to come home and the darn thing doesn't work! Really....it just wasn't sewing correctly.  So I boxed it all up...rush back to the store and with the money I don't have, I bought a better sewing machine.  It was then, when I got home and into my office, that I fall to the floor in tears.  I had lost a whole day of sewing, a nightmare.

And just when I think my stress level couldn't be any higher, my computer crashes.  Yes just like that, my whole business world was gone (and no, smarty-pants I didn't have it backed up on a back-up drive). Yet my day went on in celebration of my son's birthday. It wasn't till last night, that my wonderful husband decided to become an IT guy and fixed my computer! Yes, he just googled, read and wa-la, here I am blogging on my computer again.

Then, with all this sewing machine trouble I was reminded of someone, whom I'd forgotten this month with all my chaos.  My grandfather.  Since I was a kid, he was the one who would fix my sewing machines when they were broken. He'd even find me old used ones that he had fixed up for me to use.  It was two years ago this month, that he passed away. Missing him deeply.

My Grandfather

My grandfather and I, at my high school graduation.

All in all, I'm doing much better today. Still very behind but hopeful. 

"You have also given me the shield of your salvation: and your right hand has held me up, and your gentleness has made me great."  -Psalm 18:35

Till the next post darlins,
xoxo

Interviewing the Dreamer - the Dancer

Veronica Gutierrez

Welcome to my very first Interviewing the Dreamer.  I decided to start this blog series to inspire others to dream the dream.  That anything is possible with ambition, commitment and faith.  So please meet my first Dreamer, a Dancer.

When did you start dancing?

 I started dancing when I was two or three but I really started to get into it when I was 12.

Have you always wanted to be a dancer? 

Yes, always! I think one way or another I will be doing something with dance.

Have you had training? Where? And how long?

Yes I've being training since I was 3 at Los Angeles Ballet Academy with my mother Andrea Paris-Gutierrez

What's your biggest dream? 

I think my biggest dream is to get recognized for my talents and not just do what I love but excel at it.

How do you plan on reaching your dream? 

By taking every opportunity I have head on and getting lots of experience. This is what I will need to prosper.

What's the hardest thing about dancing? 

I think the hardest thing is adapting to a different choreographers style and making sure that you are giving them what they need in the dance.

What's your favorite dance? 

Probably Jazz Funk. I love the contrast in movement the style allows.

What inspires you? 

People who are determined and respected. People who get things because they work hard and deserve it.

Who the one person who supports you the most? And what does it mean to you? 

I get a lot of support from my father who is always there for me, helps me out at home and is always there with his camera.  My brother too, but my mom supports me the most. Not just by being a mother that believes in her child, but also my dance teacher who believes in her student. It means so much to me to have people believing in what I want to do by my side.

Who's your favorite dancer? 

Well I'd have to say my brother Dylan Gutierrez. He has only danced with the Joffery Ballet for 2 years and is already getting lots of recognition for his beautiful  technique and performance quality. He makes me so proud and I aspire to be like him in my work.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Well in 5 years I will be 21, so hopefully Ill be starting my career with a steady job in a musical.

What would you tell your 5 year old self about your future? 

I would probably tell myself to pay more attention. My mom took me to so many shows and I mostly fell asleep.

And there you have it, inspiration.  Come see Veronica perform live at my upcoming fashion show on March 12th, as she opens for my Fall 2011 collection.

Show info. and RSVP:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=142351942496230

Who's coming?

So as you may well know, I've been getting ready for my upcoming fashion show in 3 weeks.  Things couldn't be more hectic but I'm happy to say, I have found the ballerina I needed!

So who's coming?

I would like to personally invite you to what's to be my biggest fashion show to date! Come see what happens when the "Black Swan meets Tim Burton" on the runway. Here are all the details from Project Ethos: Project Ethos returns to LA Fashion Week with an explosive lineup of fashion, music and art. 7 Designers, over 70 models, a dozen live music acts and DJs including ROBATANISTS and YOLANDA BE COOL ("We Speak No Americano"), 7 Visual Artists and more. Cocktail attire, 21+ Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood CA Red carpet 8:00pm - 10:00pm $20.00 pre-sale, $25 @ door, $50 VIP It's as amazing as it sounds! I really hope to see all of you there, it would mean everything to me. For tickets email me at m.velia@melissavelia.com or leave a comment below. AND for all my fellow fashion bloggers, I have a special invite for you! Email me for all the details. RSVP here.

Coming up on Following Melissa Velia, the beginning of my new blog series Interviewing the Dreamer.  A new series of blog post, that will feature interviews with lovely people to aspire to be.....something, someone and those who have dreamed it and made it happen.  If your looking to be inspired, check back this week for my first interview.

Flats

Good day!  Just another busy week for me in my world.  Deadlines hanging over my head like Bobby Trendy, waiting to give me a style make-over.  Stressed, to say the least.  Anyways, I thought I'd share with you what I'm working on right now, my flats.  No darlins, I did not become a shoe designer overnight, at least not yet (wink). And if I was, flats would be far from my list. 

Line Sheets

Flats or technical drawings, are usually the very first thing store buyers see when looking to purchase inventory for their stores.  The flats are shown on line sheets (shown above), with all the information buyers might need to make their choices.  Flats and line sheets, have come a long way from when I was in college.  Yet, I personally like to hold on to the more traditional works in general.  As much as I would love to show you my current season, Fall 2011. I mustn't.  Instead, I can share with you my inspiration for the collection and show you my flats from the last season.  Thanks for reading loves!

Fall 2011 "Black Swan, meets Tim Burton and Helena" 

(see it all March 12th, 2011 during LAFW in Hollywood, CA)

Flat with details, Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

A simple flat, Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

XOXO

Casting Call

So my weekend started off fabulous with a brunch date in Beverly Hills.  The day was simply gorgeous out, which was a good thing because I had to walk all around Wilshire and Beverly to find a darn ATM. Leave it to me to park somewhere that only accepts cash and not have any on me. I mean who really carries cash these days.  Needless to say I found an ATM. Thanks Nicky, for going on a mission with me and brunch.

After, I headed over to the casting call which was being held at the Project Ethos headquarters.

I wasn't surprised to find it a lovely little office but I was surprised to find a mini film crew there. What they were filming...well, your just gonna have to wait for that one. Let's just say, I hope I look good on camera. Anyways, the models lined up around the building waiting for their turn to me measured, numbered and photographed before going in to strut their stuff down the imaginary runway.

Finally, one by one they walked the "runway", while I observed their looks, walk and style. I know, what does style have to do with the modeling?  I don't know, I guess it's just a habit of mine.

Style

After each set of girls walked, they'd line them up for us (the other designers and I) to choose numbers and take notes.

Yes, I know it's messy! Hey, I was writing as fast I could. Really.

In the end, I was fortunate to find a few girls I'd like to work with in March but a few just won't do...I needed 15. So my search continues.

This week I'll hopefully be meeting with a Ballerina (reasons, TBA), finish my couture dress, finish my line sheets...the list goes on and on.  Hope you all have a fabulous week!

Thank you to team Ethos for putting on a great casting.

Till the next post, thanks for reading darlins!

PS. Tweet with me at http://twitter.com/melissavelia

Next Top Model?

So this weekend as you might have already read is the model casting call for my upcoming fashion show.  Every time I do one of these I go into it excited and leave feeling....like a heel! Yes, like a heel.  I don't know why but right when I'm in the middle of going through all these lovely people, I start to feeling bad that my thoughts are saying, "Your not very pretty", "Love her", "Really?", "Your walk is really not good", "Oh my gosh how did you get in!" I mean really my pretty little thoughts can be pretty mean sometimes, unintentionally.  At least, I'm not straight out telling them like on America's Next Top Model or American Idol.  Anyways, with a business mind on, I will be at the casting this weekend ready to make things happen.  I'll be sure to take some pictures to share on my next post.

On another note, I've been horribly sick for the past 4 days.  Yet, I managed to purchase all the fabric for my collection, have a chat with a PR/ Marketing firm and finish my accounting for 2010.  I must say....THANK YOU LORD! Now I must go and take care of my sick hubby and begin sketching my flats for those line sheets. I'll leave you with this verse, in loo of....

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31:30

Barbie Couture

Good day, good day! Ok not so much...I've been sick for the past two days and I'm disliking it very much. I have so much to do and so little will power.  Which leads me to explain why I FAILED at my 52 week DIY challenge.  Basically, I just put to much on my plate. Never the less, I will still occasionally post my DIY projects to share with all of you here on my blog. So stay tuned for those.

Speaking of staying tuned....the new chu-lacouture.com website will be launching soon, hopefully this month.  The reason I decided not to close the website down, was because last month I got a call from an old client who wanted to host a huge Trunk Show in a couple of months. Not only was that good news but  I also got more orders from the east coast, which for me means...we are growing. So with that, I'm just gonna have to completely suck-it-up and proceed with faith!

Ok now on to the fun stuff.....let me start by saying, "the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree".  Like some of you might know I use to make my Barbie clothes when I was a child. When I was accepted into FIDM (college), the counselor ask to see my work and kept most of my gowns without my permission, claiming she never had them.  What I'm getting at is, I wish I was about to show you some of the pieces I had made but instead I'll be showing you something better....pieces my mom has made.

My mom and I

The following dress were all made by hand by my darling mom in her spare time.  It's a hobby of hers that I think is heading for something big.

White wedding dress...

with amazing details, including a crown veil.

A royal blue mermaid tail gown...

with a silver bow and halter tie.

And my personal favorite, a black and cream halter gown....

with a black bow detail on the back.

I am truly amazed at all the details she puts into these dresses. Totally collectible.  How cool would be to have one of these in an actually life size.  I'm currently working on setting up her Etsy.com shop with all these gowns for Barbie and so much more.  Meanwhile, if your interested in any of these pieces, leave a comment or email me at melissavelia@chu-lacouture.com.

Till the next time loves, peace & love!