Private Shopping Event at Willow Spa

The first time I entered the tiny, hidden bungalow of Willow Spa on a bustling Santa Monica Blvd. 5 years ago, I was immediately transported to a tropical oasis. Tucked behind the California bungalow is a relaxing Shangri-la, with its Bali-inspired cushions, rattan foot stools, hypnotic music, and lush greenery. The soft Santa Monica breeze and warm green tea served on a rustic bamboo tray (and a few Vogue magazines of course!) and I am set for a relaxing spa experience. I've been a customer of Willow Spa since I first moved to Santa Monica and have been an addict ever since! After each season of designing and boxing orders, I like to book my customary Zentastic massage (includes a soothing foot soak too.)

I was fortunate to meet the owner Wendy recently and introduced her to my eco-friendly line of knits, Stacia. We immediately hit it off and talked about teaming up for a private shopping event at her beautiful bungalow space. Next Thursday, November 4th, you are invited to join us for this special shopping event. Featuring other great organic products too - Baby Jade, Soy Delicious, Abbi' Scrubs, and Eminence Organics. I'm bringing my trunk of Stacia goodies so there will be some great deals on my bamboo knits (and some Stacia baby too!)

Sip some bubbly, shop for the Holidays, and enjoy complimentary Spa services all in the comfort of a tropical oasis. Space is limited so please RSVP at info@shopstacia.com or call Willow Spa at 310.453.9004. The Spa is located at 3127 Santa Monica Blvd. in Santa Monica. The event is from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Raffle prizes too!

Model Muse

When I was a little kid, my only fashion inspiration was Barbie. Now kids today are bombarded with fashion from all fronts - Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, Tween fashions...I would have been in heaven if I had that much fashion at my fingertips at age 5!

Recently I had an old childhood friend, Jodie, come visit and she told me one of her daughters was a little fashionista. She said that fashion was in her blood and she would practice her runway walk at home and had repeatedly give her fashion advice when shopping (and yes, this is a 5-year old!) I thought...what a dream! A fashion designer's wish to give birth to a mini fashion muse (there's still hope for you yet, Kaiulani!)

I was told one of the most important stops on their trip to LA was to hit the Stacia design studio so Riley could see the behind the scenes of a fashion house. Upon arrival, Ms. Riley immediately went into dress-up mode trying on any clothing that wasn't nailed down (and I remind you these are women's clothes I make.) But I must say, she made it work! Most of my grown-up tops make great little girl's dresses if belted just so. Riley soon discovered that and proceeded to strike her most model-like pose (see pictured.) I'll have to consider using this pint-size model on my next photo shoot for Stacia!

And later at home, Riley made herself at home in my walk-in closet (a Boudoir as I like to call it.) She pulled down one of my favorite Stacia space-dye crochet mini dresses and slipped it on without hesitation. I suggested we belt it. She picked a mother-of-pearl shell/macrame belt (very Malibu circa 1978.) Then she topped it off with my grandmother's gold/pearl multi-chain necklace for a little Gucci effect and the ultimate boho-chic look was created.

But the kicker here is when I asked her to pose for a picture. My kids usually sulk and slouch when asked to pose for the camera, but Riley immediately went into Top Model mode and gave me a sultry pose and pouty-come-hither look. Boy oh boy, Jodie my friend, you better watch out. You got one fashionista on your hands. Forget about enrolling her in John Robert Powers Modeling School (did I just date myself?), she's going straight to Paris!

Little Designers in the Making

Three years ago I brought a little fashion design sunshine to my son's preschool classroom with a paper doll craft project and it was a hit. Now, my girly, Kaiulani, is three and it's her turn for a little Fashion 101.

Like last time, I cut out a bunch of printed fabric dresses and shirt/pant ensembles and glued them to construction paper. Then I brought loads of trims from my design studio - antique buttons, sequins, ribbon, beads, and lace trims -- oh yeah, and LOTS of glue! The kids went crazy with the glue (pools of it everywhere!) But they had a blast decorating their one-of-a-kind creations with beads, buttons, and rick rack. Even the boys (future Tommy Hilfigers in the making!) had a blast.

The best moment was with one little girl in particular (the last one to finish her masterpiece) who was very meticulous and every trim she picked was precisely thought out. I would keep recommending a particular button or offer to cut her some bead trim to use, but she would simply say "not just yet..." She wasn't ready to commit to any of my suggestions. I laughed a little because she sounded so grown up, and then she said "what are you laughing at?" (like "what are you laughing at moron?") I just thought it was so hilarious that she knew exactly what she wanted (and didn't want) for her creation and would not be rushed! I should know that myself by now - a designer cannot be rushed to create a masterpiece. Ever detail in a garment is important and cannot be created on a whim (be damned Project Runway and fast fashion!) I admire this little 4-year old's self confidence and spunk - future fashionista at work for sure!

Stacia Encore on Ideeli.com!

For those of you who may have missed the big Stacia sale on Ideeli.com a few weeks ago, you have a second chance to score some perfect finds. Stacia's encore is for one day only. Sweater dressing at its best - from lush hooded wraps to sleek sweaterdresses, Stacia has your favorite layering piece waiting for you online. Hurry while supplies last!

The Dress With a Second Life

As a designer, each season I experiment with new shapes, silhouettes, and details, and sometimes they're a hit right off the bat, and other times, they're a miss. Or sometimes, there's just too much to choose from on the line for buyers, so potential hits are overlooked. And for that very reason, I like to "resurrect" or bring back styles that were dropped from the line in past collections and put them in front of buyers in a new light. And nine times out of ten, the second time around is a charm. They finally get it! Unfortunately, a buyer's whim or hunch can sometimes prevent my customers from having all of Stacia at their finger tips. You are often denied having access to all of my ideas!

But alas, one of my rejects has had a second coming! Yes, the "pleated wrap dress" has been resurrected. I had originally introduced this l/slv dress style for Fall '09 in bamboo/soybean, but it unfortunately got canceled from the line after buyers all flocked to the cowl-neck dress instead. The poor little dress didn't have a fighting chance:( But I believed in that dress enough to bring it back this Fall, in new colors and in bamboo/cotton, and all of a sudden it's a hit! It's as if buyers had never seen this dress before, even though a year earlier they rejected it. Funny how the minds of buyers work. But the customer is king and you have all spoken! You love the dress and I can't keep it in stock.

So hurry on over to www.shopstacia.com and grab one of these hotcake dresses while they're still around. The ever-so-flattering empire dress has full wrap coverage at top, with cozy long sleeves for Fall, and a demure pleating in the front and back bodice. We still have a few in Walnut (as pictured) and just a handful left in Fig. So you never know, one rejected dress can have a second life, as long as its creator, moi, believes in it enough to keep trying...