It's All New

Hello Darlins!

I've been quit busy these past couple of weeks, therefore neglecting my poor little blog.  So much is happening in my world right now, it's hard to keep up with everything.  The past two weeks I've been working on Spring 2012 that I will not be sharing till the end of this year.  Since I'm not doing a fashion show this October, I decided not to show and tell till the Spring photo shoot.  The photo shoot that some lucky gal will be featured in from the "Beauty Is" Contest.

I've also been working on some accessories, that I couldn't help but launch a bit early.  The official launch and full collection of my accessory line will not be coming out till Spring 2012.  Which will included, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, hair pieces and belts.  AND maybe, all be doing some handbags too.  Lord only knows.

Really didn't want to be model but I just had to show you how awesome these babies are.  Every time I wear them out, ladies stop and ask me where I got them. What do I say? MelissaVelia. (hehe)  No, I don't tell that it's me.

Also new to my label is my gift collection, which I decided to do out of the blue and has become a hit with fashion students and office fashionista alike.

Clients will be able to shop all of the above and more in person this Friday at EmergeLA.  I'm really looking forward to this event, love the music, love art and of course fashion.

I'll be giving away a pair of my new earrings plus 40% off coupons to a select few, so I hope to see some of you there.

My plate is pretty full next month, so much so I had to miss a cologne junket where I could've interviewed Paul Walker! Yeah my kids come first, had a parent meeting that night.  Also next month, Project Ethos, a friends fashion show, LAFW, son's 4th birthday, son's field trip, church function, and of course more designing (Spring 2012 & Fall 2012).

Am I BCBG, Busy Crazy Blessed Gal. (I know, I'm a nerd)

9/11 at BCBG

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years, since the horrific tragedies of September 11th, 2001.  Memories of that day remain as fresh as the day they happened.  I'm sure many of you have told your stories of where you were that day, how you found out and what you felt.  As repetitive as it can be to listen to peoples stories of that day, it is also a way to remember the lives lost that day. I spent almost all day yesterday watching every memorial, listening to every one's stories and just....feeling.  Here is my story of that day.

It was an ordinary day like any other.  I was up early and on route to my job as a showroom manager and sales rep. for Parallel Clothing, a division of BCBG.  It was fashion week in New York and I was to man our office alone in the California Mart while most of the BCBG team was in New York.  As I sat in traffic listening to music at the base of downtown L.A. I was suddenly dumb-founded by the breaking news on the radio.  "A plane has just hit one of the twin towers.." The first thing I thought was, this is a joke. An Orson Welles moment.  Then seconds later, my dad calls me on the phone and urgently tells me to get out of L.A. that America was under attack and that it was all true what was happening in New York.  As I stared up at the tall buildings in front of me, a sudden fear came over me.  I quickly made a u-turn back towards the freeways, and I was quickly followed by other cars.

When I arrived at a friends house and began to watch this nightmare continue to unfold, I called BCBG to let them know I would not be coming in considering what was happening.  I was scolded and told that I had to get to the showroom a.s.a.p. and that everything was fine.  I refused, thinking I'd rather be fired then go to work on the 5th floor of a building while all this was unfolding. 

I ended up staying at my friends house, watching every moment of what happened next.  I was in complete disbelief and in pure sadness.  I later found out that we (BCBG) lost buyers on one of those fights and that Max Azria (owner of BCBG) and the rest of the team in New York had to be removed by the Fire Marshal from the building they were in because Max refused to rap up his meeting.  Friends that were there, told me they were in complete fear but would not risk losing their jobs by walking out on their boss.                                (excerpt for my book)

I never got fired.

My life is not worth any job or career.  We must live for those we love and for those we loose, not careers or other superficial things.

May your week be blessed.

Beautiful Mission

So if you haven't read it yet or seen the BEAUTY IS contest.
I am currently hosting a little contest for my Spring 2012 Collection Campaign called "Beauty Is Contest".  The contest goes as follows:

  ::HOW TO ENTER::
 Email your photo to m.velia@melissavelia.com or upload it on to our FaceBook Page at www.facebook.com/DesignerMelissaVelia, include your name & a sentence that begins with "Beauty is..." describing what beauty is to you. All images will be uploaded to our "Beauty Is Contest" album on our Facebook page. *You must be between the ages of 18 and 35 to enter. Any size, any height, any race. For beauty is truly with-in. *No professional or provocative photos please, they will not be accepted. *Ladies only. All photos must be in by September 14th.
Contest starts September 15th and will end promptly on October 15th.

::HOW TO WIN::
 In order to win, you must have the must "like"s (votes) under your picture on our Facebook page.
In order to vote or to get votes, it's as easy as 1,2,3.
1. "Like" our fan page www.facebook.com/DesignerMelissaVelia (this is required to vote)
2. "Like" the photo of the person you'd like to vote for. (feel free to vote for yourself too).
3. Spread the word! Don't be Shy! Share! Ask friends and family to vote for you. (remember you can use the @symbol in front of DesignerMelissaVelia to share our page)

::WHAT YOU WIN::
 First place WINNER will receive a full make-over on the day of the shoot. A complete photo shoot, PLUS one of your photos in our Spring 2012 Ad Campaign. Second place winner, will receive a lovely piece from the Spring 2012 collection! Winners will be announced on October 17th on our website & our Facebook page.

My purpose or mission behind this contest is to really show the world that beauty is not necessarily model material. A size 0-2, taller then 5'9", smooth skin and a slick figure.  As you might have already noticed, the models that represent my collections are mostly a size 4 with curves.  Please don't get me wrong, I've worked with some beautiful models that were a size 0-2 and very thin. I'm just trying to say that they are not the ONLY ones who should be defined as beauty and fashion.  Especially fashion!  For fashion is beauty in itself.  Sometimes, a piece of clothing can make a woman feel more beautiful then any super model.  For some women it's their wedding dress, for others it's their maternity tunic, other's it's a designer top and for some...it's a piece of clothing, period. 

I'm truly looking forward to seeing who wins this contest and showing you all, what "Beauty Is".  If you would like to enter, there's still time.  After September 14th, the contest's doors close and voting begins.  And if you don't enter, I hope you take the time to vote at least.

Have a fabulous week, lovelies!