Business Savvy

Hello Lovelies!

So I know I mentioned last week that the name of this blog post was going to be something else and I was really going to go in a different direction with it but I decided to stay on a positive note. Turning my bad business decision, into a life lesson. Plus, taking something great from it.

Without going into the ugly details, I was approached by a company to do a fashion show a week after I did Project Ethos. A company that had no real owner (so they/she claimed)! I really had a bad feeling about all the unanswerable questions, yet I still committed and paid for this event.  Needless to say, it was one of the worst and unprofessional events I've ever been apart of since I started in this industry.  I was not only in embarrassed but mad at myself for not going with my gut....my business gut.  I just knew something wasn't right with this company but I was really conned into believing it would all turn out great, in which it didn't.

In the end, after a week of disputing with this company I was given a refund and all pictures from this event would not be posted. I am happy to say that, I not only learned an important business lesson from this but I became just a bit more business savvy. PLUS, I not only made new friends through the chaos of it all but I recruited my very first intern!

I leave you with a couple of pictures from our first business meeting. Yes, at Corner Bakery Cafe!

Darlins, please welcome my new business savvy intern, Windy!

Plus, please check-out these other lovely business savvy people that I met along this journey; NATIVE HONEY, MARIALIA, REDHAWK BRIGADE, ALEXANDRA CIPRIANI and LA FASHION WEEK ONLINE.

Kelly Osbourne - Material Girl

So this past Thursday I had the lovely privilege of attending the launch for the new face of Madonna's Material Girl Collection, Miss Kelly Osbourne. The event was hosted in Macy's at the Beverly Center by the wonderful Nick Verreos (Project Runway) and of course Miss Kelly.

The event was covered in staple Material Girl colors, hot pink, black, white and even more pink.  Cotton candy and marshmallow centerpieces decorated tables, while hostess walked around handing out yummy treats.

The event seemed to be directed towards a tween market with touches of "drinks" for us older folks.  Which makes sense, considering Material Girl is a junior line.  Yet as the night went on, I found that the collection did in fact have some pieces for an older age range.  Being that I was the biggest Madonna fan as a kid, this was a great event to cover.

Yes, that's me.  Totally could have been head designer of Material Girl at age 7.

During the "Who Said It" Macy's gift card give-away.

How lovely is she? Really, even prettier in person.

The fashion show, Material Girl.

Most popular top, among my peers.

On the pink carpet.

How great is Nick's blazer? He has the most stylish blazers. And yes, that's me in Melissa Velia.

So the highlight of my night (besides Nick Verreos complimenting my outfit) was the photo booth! To much fun and very addicting!

"Thanks for coming with, darlin."

Thank you, "Everywhere" for my lovely little gift in appreciation of this blog post. Truly, the pleasure was all mine. I met some great people and had a blast.

Pressing Forward

Hello Darlins,

Soooo...my world has been kinda behind these days. Only now am I getting a chance to share with you the outcome of my fashion show with Project Ethos.  As far as the "other" fashion show I did last week, I'll get to that next week.

Anyways, so  this was my second time doing Project Ethos and all though they are not at the very top of the LAFW fashion show totem pole, the Press was pretty much out and covering the event.  The first time I did this event, the press was pretty nice about my work. This time around however....I got my first bad review. It wasn't that bad, it was somewhere along the lines of "nothing to write home about".  Never the less, I really took it to heart. I always thought that bad press would be something I could just shrug off but it turns out, it can really put those little thoughts of doubt in your head.  Yet after days of sulking, I am finally ready to just press forward.  This was a life lesson in itself and in business. You can't win them all darlins!

The GOOD press!

Fashion Trend Guide

According To Aimee

Maria Rivera Makeup

Eve Dawes

Runway Icon Los Angeles Fashion

tfs the Fashion Spot

Thank you to all of you for the wonderful reviews and photos.  And if I'm missing someone, please post it on my wall on http://www.facebook.com/DesignerMelissaVelia .

Runway, so we meet again

So these past two weeks have been somewhat of a world-wind. I truly want to blog about everything that's been going on but I don't want to overwhelm ya.  So I'll start with the last of the pictures and videos from the Project Ethos fashion show.

Pictures from the runway...

click the picture above to view them all

The Runway

My "Behind the Runway" video montage...with music from Draft Punk and Rihanna. From make-up and hair to, practice, practice practice!

Post later this week, Pressing Forward and Using Your Gut In Business. Till then darlins, love, peace and chicken grease.

Behind the Runway - Fall 2011 Project Ethos (PART 2)

AND so, the night continued....

Models, Nicole Young & Jessica Sambuco

 Model, Hannah Baker in my Vitamin Water gown

 Amazing model

Coming up later this week video and pictures from the runway.  AND if your wondering, I did not win the Vitamin Water contest.  Thank you to all of you who voted and supported. Love you!

Behind the Runway - Fall 2011 Project Ethos (PART 1)

Hello, Hello darlins!

Ask me if I'm still tired?  YES!  I think my poor feet are going to be mad at me for a very long time. Let me start by saying....what a night or should I say what a day. I almost worked a full 24hrs straight! Yes, I arrived at the venue at 11am. This place always amazes me with it's old beauty.

Booths

Ceiling

Mirror in front of a staircase.

Once the models started to arrive, it was more fittings, a little food and a whole lot of waiting.

Rehearsals were next, followed by hair and make-up.

the ROBATANISTS

Veronica Gutierrez

Carlton Hair International, stylist Mario Estrada

Ahhh...no make-up!

I couldn't have done all of this without the help of my two lovely assistants...

Elizabeth Availa & Denise Barreda

I'd also like to thank all of the following lovely people Runway Icon, Project Ethos -1 (yes I would!), Jason Peskin, Nicky Bernal, Melina Perez, Nicole Young, Hannah Baker, Gutierrez Family, Jessica Sambuco, Candice Westby, Amanda Petersen, Alyssa Brooks, Naomi Charles, Maryela Perez, Maria Rivera and last but not least my family.

Part 2 coming up tomorrow!

xoxo