h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

She wasn't 'modelling' for me, that was an old photo taken of a friend I'd given a dress to a few years ago . . . I wish people would read the email and realise these are not (I think quite obviously) in any way 'professional' photos or even meant to be indicative of the collection - they are simply very fast and crappy hanger shots of the stuff because so many people have been asking to see *something*.

So this is just a little bit of *something*.

Yes, totally crappy shots. Taken in five minutes in my living room. Just to show people *something*.

Perhaps I shouldn't have done this, but people kept asking . . . so, anyhow . . .


az

I understood that those were simply quick shots intended to give people a look at "something". I'm sorry that I've annoyed you.

You didn't annoy me at all, just that some of the feedback has been about me doing 'better shots' at some point.

It was probably when you mentioned the girl 'modelling' for me . . . that's just an old photo of someone wearing one of my dresses to show the difference between being on a hanger and being on a person.

I'm actually enjoying the feedback comments on the clothes themselves though . . . helps.


az

I did gather from your email that it was a friend wearing something you'd made her, and I incorrectly assumed she tried it on and took a photo for you so you could see how nice it looked. Which it did.

I wasn't expecting professional grade photography, but I am flattered that I get to see some stuff and offer some feedback. And I really do want to be helpful.

az, you have mail (I hope)

I have left a few comments for you az.

I am leaning towards the name 'azahar' - plain and simple. I think 'everywear' and 'anywear' sound too unisex. azahar sounds feminine.

I can totally see the orange blossom connection.

Btw PC, re-reading post 141 I can see how it might be read as me being annoyed, but it wasn't written as such. More a combination of frustration and embarrassment, as I recall . . .

Yeah, the 'anywear'/'everywear' names wore thin by later on that day. In any case, they aren't really for anywhere/everywhere, especially the stuff made from the lighter gauzy linen.

The 'pj look' wasn't actually intentional, which makes me wonder what to market the stuff *as* . . . clearly some of it could also be worn as sleepwear/comfy-at-home wear, as well as streetwear or beachwear.

Yesterday we had a meeting here with a trim salesrep and when he looked at the clothes he said - 'oh, nightdresses?'

A few years ago I did think of doing strictly pj's and nightdresses and made up some samples, even sold a few. And then found people were wearing them at the beach or as streetwear. They said they were far too nice to just wear to bed . . .

Anyhow, we'll probably go with 'azahar' for the first collection name at least. Not sure about a logo with an image in it, Lady, though you might convince me.


az

I was able to post some feedback last night. I didn't think that *all* of the garments had a sleepwear/loungewear look, they just weren't quite office wear. I like "really casual" looking stuff.

I may have over-reacted to your posting, Az. Sometimes I do inadvertently annoy people. And I'm a little over-sensitive, too.

So, for some reason, since yesterday, my company's blocked access to Fotki. So now I'm annoyed.

http://www.programa-azahar.org/

Came across this today . . . dang! It's almost perfect, even the lettering is small case. Anyhow, it's non-clothing related so it won't matter if we do something similar . . . nice stylised flower though, kind of something between an orange blossom and a sun.


az

oooh az! how spookily similar to a logo design I have come up with! I did this earlier on today, just loaded it up on fotki and came on here to give you the link. I then saw the above post and had a look!

Anyhoo...here's the link to mine http://public.fotki.com/catcollection/logos/az_logo_1.html

what do you think?

hi Lady,

Yes, it is spookily similar. And quite nice too. Thing is, we've already chosen the lettering for the labels (that go inside the clothes - century gothic lowercase) and so any flower logo will be to use on packaging, etc. We've got an artist working on the possible flower logo at the moment, so we feel obliged to wait and see what she comes up with. Just so you don't end up doing a lot of extra work for nothing, though it's much appreciated that you've done some already. I'll get in touch with you by email if what the artist comes up with isn't what we really want. And many thanks for wanting to help us . . . it's very kind of you.

The woven label is going to be a light taupe with pale green lettering - at least for this first 'all off-white' collection. Later, when we start adding more colours, we might opt for a stronger coloured label.

And so, we are definitely going with 'azahar' as the name for the collection. Not only has it received some good response here, but the Spanish people I've asked also like it a lot. They say it not only evokes the idea of a 'natural' product, but also something pretty and delicate, which I'm told suits the clothes quite well.

It's all getting a bit *scary* now. We've ordered the first production materials, will also be ordering the labels this week. We have a sewing contractor coming over this evening to give us a price on production sewing. And our web-page designer will get to work on our page starting next week. We're in business!

az

ps
Thanks to everyone here who helped us finally choose the name!

Gosh, a final decision!

Or....

Finally, a decision!

az

Good luck with the biz az and Noggin

P.S.() I've failed, so far, to find anything relevant (& positive) from the letters of your first names - though I did like 'newer paths'. Perhaps if I saw the samples...

Meanwhile, a couple of cheeky ones; from 'S.and P.': 'wash and repent!' and 'darn shape went!'

Those are great, Rudest 'elf! Noggin especially liked 'wash and repent'. 'Darn shape went' is perhaps a bit close for comfort as the designs are rather loose and comfy . . .

In fact, our company name is PS Productions, using our first name initials. Not terribly clever, but we liked the ps/postscript thing.

If you'd like to see the samples I'll send you an email with the password, no problem.

az

Yes please! Have to dash, lunch is on.

Love the clothes az, and, more to the point, so does Sole. Can you give us an idea of the likely retail prices, and assure us that you plan a range for men?

Thanks, RE, and also glad to hear that Sole liked the stuff too.

Retail prices are still being worked out, though will probably be something similar to Adolfo Dominguez - not cheap but not outrageously expensive either. Given that it's a 'small and exclusive' production, the prices obviously cannot compete with chain stores like Mango or Zara - and anyhow, Zara mostly uses polyester.

Not sure if doing a men's collection would work. At least in Spain, Noggin can go to Springfield and find all cotton or wool sweaters, linen trousers, etc at very cheap prices. I can't compete with that. They do everything BIG TIME and have all their stuff made in Asia. For now we'll just have a few home sewers and one fulltime person working for us . . . well, as soon as we find them!

Meanwhile, had a meeting with our webpage designer this morning - eek! And all the materials are coming in for the first production. Quite scary and exciting stuff.


az

Az, may I give one advice about website: it is better to keep it simple than too much fancy design.

I know fashion need bit of fancy feel, but try not make menu too fancy. also try make pages have the name of the product, because it is easier to find, than some numbers.
- domain-name.com/name-product/
- domain-name.com/name-product.html (or other extention)