It's Not Easy

 

Melissa Velia Fall 2013 Collection Preview

Heeeeyyy.  Miss me?  Well let me tell you what I've been up to the past month,

-fashion reality show auditions

-sourcing and constructing Fall 2013

-searching for places to shoot the collection

-looking for somewhere to show the collection

- Not finding the right place to show or shoot the collection

-mini vacation

-purchasing a photo studio for my garage

-processing orders

-Losing all funding for any future collections or business. period.

-crying

-more crying

-picking myself

-photo shoot

-editing pictures

-editing Fall 2013 video (coming March 11th)

-wondering were to go from here

-thinking about giving up

-overwhelmed

-moved my studio to a cold, dark place (had too)

-realized I've come to far to give up

-I have a new simple direction, not ideal and a bit backing tracking but still moving forward

What's to come,

-launching Fall 2013 video and look book

-two week hiatus (skipping LA Fashion Week)

-If I disappear in about a month, it's because I've just been offered the opportunity of a life time.

-launching Spring 2013 pieces

-launching new giveaway on our FB page

annnd......s-o   m-u-c-h    m-o-r-e.

 Stay tuned for all the details from my world here.

Thanks for reading lovelies.

xo

Upcoming

 

The NEW Slender Bow Belts

Video!  Find out what else is new from my world, plus a little show and tell.

Sketchy

Ello!

So this week was really crazy busy for me.  I know, I know...when isn't, right?  What can I say I live a busy life. Blessed one at that.  So here's this week's video, edited. Yes, thanks to my son's I had to chop, chop a bit.  Thanks for watching, Darlins.

Not Chosen

Hello Darlins,

I'm Vloging!! (Vloging = Video blogging) Please let know what you think? And for the record, I am not wearing the same thing I wore on my casting video (lol) it just looks the same.

Xoxo!

That's a wrap!

This past weekend was busy, busy.  I know your probably thinking, when isn't my world busy.  Well, you just might be right, ha!  Never the less, I got things done!  Starting with a rehearsal for my opening act for my upcoming fashion show in Vegas.  Wish I could share what it is but it's all hush, hush until the show.  Then, Sunday I wrapped up the S/S 2012 collection photo shoot.  I'm so glad I decided to split the shoot into two different days because they're were just to many pieces to shoot.  My biggest collection to date!  Here's a little behind the scenes,

So as much as I can't wait to show you the whole Look Book, I can only give you a sneak peek till after the fashion show.

Spring/ Summer 2012 Promo Video

Thanks for reading, Loves!

Model:  Christa Marlei

Model:  Danielle Johnson

Photographer:  Nichole Francisco

Make-up Artist:  Melissa Velia

Ciao, Chu-La Couture

Hey Darlins, forgive me for posting later then I said I would.  Also, for not doing the video blog that I had wanted to do.  I really just had a hard time finding a quiet place in my house or office to record.  Yes, my world is that loud all day, all the time.  Hello, why do you think I'm always so forgetful? My brain rarely rest.

Anyways, so here's my big announcement....I'm closing my boutique!  Sound familiar? Why yes, I've mentioned this before.  I tried closing the store I think earlier this year but business was just to busy.  Business was good.  And today, business is still good.  What can I say, I started a business during a recession and now here I am, closing that business in it's prime.

Never the less, Chu-La Couture will go out with a bang, after FNO 2011, in which we (the store) will be a part of this year.  Now..."the whys"....here are a few of my "whys" to closing this chapter in my life.

• I've become much to busy to manage two separate companies
• Fulfilled my financial goal with Chu-La Couture.
• My dream was to be a designer, not a boutique owner.
• People coping my store ideas, concepts, marketing, name, etc.
• Other stores selling items, that I've once carried.
• Vendors not going in a good style direction.

And many other reasons...but most importantly, I wanted more time with my family.  So here I am now on a new chapter in my life. I am truly sadden to let go of what was such a big part of my life but honestly relieved from all it's business burdens.

Know that you will still be able to shop Chu-La Couture till September 15th, so please use all your coupons and discounts before then (for they will be void, after that).  Also, if you just can't let go of Chu-La Couture statement styles, know that at the beginning of each season all accessories and handbags from Melissa Velia's photo shoots will be on super sale on melissavelia.com

Thank you to all who have supported and loved Chu-La Couture.  xoxox.

Summer Promo Video

In case you haven't  seen it, yet.  Here's my clothing line's Summer 2011 promo ad. Hope you like it!

xoxo

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.

Spring 2011 Promo

Wow, so this past weekend was just craaaaazy. When I got home last night, I completely crashed on my bed.  My weekend started off with a 3 hour drive to Calabasas, Ca for my first trunk show, which turned out to be not so poppin.  Trunk shows can always be a hit or miss, just like most things in this industry.  One must really learn to shrug off moments like these, for it's really never personal but more like timing.

When the trunk show ended early I headed over to my first location  with the model to shoot Spring 2011.  With no team and no permits to shoot, it really became pretty intense.  Almost funny at time though.  Never the less, I got the shots that I wanted and headed over to the next location.  Basically it was a long night and I didn't get home till 11:00 pm.

The next morning I was up by 7:00am and off to the last shoot location.  Once again it was just me, the model and a little help.  After make-up and hair and shooting for a couple of hours, I headed to what turned out to be another trunk show.

All in all, I got a lot done this weekend and as reviewed some of the shots this morning of the photo shoots, it is was all worth it.  I really couldn't have done it without the support of my family this weekend though. I'm truly grateful for them. 

So now my week continues to be just as crazy as my weekend, with editing, sewing, drawing, bookkeeping, fabric shopping, unpacking and so much more.  Did I mention I will not be closing Chu-lacouture.com after all? Oh that's a whole different story, that I'll get into next post. For now I'll leave you with my first promo for my clothing line.  Much thanks too, Melina Perez....love you darlin!

One more thing, Happy Birthday dad.