2014 came quickly and with lots of promises, dreams, and aspirations. First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Welcome to a brand new year, a blank canvas that you can draw, paint, dance on and here's to another year in your life that you can create and nurture into something beautiful.
This year is huge for me because I'm officially done school at FIDM, something that still feels unreal. On top of that, I'm launching the most exciting project I've been involved in to date. Welcome, my dears, to the land of Wendy Darling.
Wendy Darling began when I started learning more about producing in the U.S. It was an aspect of production and sourcing that I became extremely passionate about. It was do-able, there were tons of pros, and I could help make a difference not only in the industry, but for people working in factories. By taking my business and having it sourced and produced in the U.S., I could ensure that our workers are getting paid minimum wage, that the factories are abiding to a code of ethics, and even promote skill sets and open up jobs.
As most of you know, I've always turned toward the bohemian, ethereal and whimsical style of clothing. I love the feeling of long, soft fabric billowing as I walk or lace against my skin. I like the quirkiness of unique fabrics used or an unconventional silhouette. After a lot of research, I realized that there was a market for whimsical and ethereal designs, but something that was still refined and sophisticated. And that's when Wendy Darling came into play.
Wendy Darling (from Peter Pan) as a character has always been one of my favorite. She's a strong girl, independent, an old soul so-to-speak. She loves her brothers, loves to care for them, and she's polite and respectful to her parents. Wendy is feminine, dreamy and delicate. She tells stories of Peter Pan, she craves adventure, creativity and growth. She finds herself in Neverland and still makes time (in-between flying!) to care for the Lost Boys and tell them fairytales. And even when she thinks she isn't ready to grow up, she returns to England, not only ready for responsibility, but full of happiness. Wendy realizes that responsibility is not a burden, it's a right. She's lucky to have so many things to care about.
At Wendy Darling Co., we feel the same way. We encourage women to travel, indulge, smile, belly laugh, nurture their loved ones, read, write, ride bikes, take spontaneous adventures, get lost in a new city, wear that long, flowy dress, put on orchid colored lipstick, dance around in her apartment to her record player. We understand that in order to be at our best, women need to feed their soul and embrace their oneness.
We also have Ms. Darling's back when it comes to responsibility. The Wendy Darling Co. customer yearns to nurture. Whether it's her garden full of sunflowers or her niece, she feels fulfilled knowing that she can make a difference. That's how we feel about producing in the U.S.. And we're lucky enough to even be able to produce in San Francisco.
I'm so thrilled to be able to announce that we're taking new orders! Our website is almost up and running, but to look at our first item being offered, look here. There will be 4 color options, including a black plaid, a solid front and back, and a damask fabric. When ordering, send me an email and I can send pictures etc to give you an idea. This jacket is amazing. There isn't a single day where I go out in it and don't recieve compliments. It's perfect to throw on over jeans and flats but it also looks extremely classy with a dress and heels. It's the best of both worlds.
In the next month or so, things will be gaining momentum. Along with a website and logo, there will be other designs added as well. Stay tuned and as always, thank you enormous amounts for all your never-ending love and support. I am so excited to share this dream with all of you.
