lulu's blog

Unsung Blog has moved!

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 16:20:00 -0700

Unsung Blog has moved to a new url: www.unsungdesigners/blog

Please check out our new blog today!

THE STREETS ARE THE NEW RUNWAY

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 17:06:52 -0700

New york city is the fashion capital of the world. Los angeles is making news with its own laid back west coast style. But D.C. is known for conservative suits. why should everyone else have all the fun? D.C. is also home to a dynamic indie music scene and thousands of transplants from everywhere in the world, making it an obvious hotbed of style. I hit the streets to prove our point and find the runway worthy trendsetters right here in the capital of capitals.

Marie, seen in Adams Morgan

What inspires your style? I would say I'm naturally stylish. I don't think about it when I get dressed in the morning.

Who would you say youve had a style crush on? Oh, it would have to be Madonna in her cone bra, newsboy cap phase. She looked sleek, domineering and sexy.

Do you think the way you dress fits in with the DC crowd? I'm from Norway. I've lived in London, Johannesburg, Berlin. I have to contain myself here because people would stare at me if I dressed the way I want to.

What city in the world best reflects your style? Berlin. People wear a lot of long coats, a lot of black and leather, but always in extremes. Russian revival is big there now.

Leggings, baby.leggings

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Sat, 11 Feb 2006 20:12:00 -0700

I didnt think this trend would come back so soon but, hey, I have to say me like-y. I'm into the skinny jeans so what the hell? Dark opaque tights and leggings will be the big for Fall 06 for sure but what about the now. Are we ready to dive into the 80s this spring? Whether you are wearing flats or boots, here are a few Unsung offerings that will look great with leggings. The first selection is the popular Kimono Top from Lilee this one-size top has a great blousy feel and looks great with tall chunky boots and your new leggings. How about a dress..well this new Wrong Side dress would be great. Can't you envision the leggings with this dress and a cute pair of flats?

The key to doing this trend right is keep the top blousy if paired alone with leggings.

Now - run out and get your Hue's ready - its time to try this one out.

Yeah...Wye Strikes Again

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 19:44:00 -0700

I know it sounds like we are the founding members of the Jon Wye fan club but his necklace is blowing up across the US. Thanks to the Washington Post (and those that syndicated them) his newest creation the Petruchio Necklace has been flying off the virtual shelves of Unsung. Made from a sea-bound seed pod, it is a bit granola, and a bit chic. So Jon.whats next?

ok....I confess...I LOVE JON WYE'S BELTS!!!

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 20:01:07 -0700

His collection of funky, colorful belts make me feel all warm and happy inside. The pewter buckles are inspired by comfort foods - waffles and pies - and words that say it all like junk, and your unmentionables - out there for everyone to see. The leather belts are all hand-dyed by Jon to get their rich colors, and he has expanded into nylon belts for cow-lovers. He also has a collection of undies I adore. All Jon Wye merchandise is made with a great sense of humor, and in the U.S. in fair-wage work environments.

Loving Project Runway

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 12:14:42 -0700

In case you can't tell, I am a HUGE fan and supporter of emerging designers - that's why I post for Unsung Designers to tout their doings on my blog. My hats off to Bravo for creating a wonderfully watchable second season of Project Runway.

In case you didn't know - there will be a one-hour special about last season's winner Jay McCarrell entitled Project Jay due to air in February.

Don't worry - if you miss any episodes, you can be sure that Bravo will rerun them endlessly.

Auf wiedersehen

Free Shipping at unsungdesigners.com

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 12:55:53 -0700

I'll let you in on a delish little secret: unsungdesigners.com is offering free shipping for the entire month of January! I told my friends in London, Barcelona, Shanghai and Montreal and they can't believe it's for international customers too! I promised to keep it a secret for a few days so they could get the pick of the merchandise, but I finally had to spill it. I mean, how can anyone expect a fashion maven not to share her great finds? Like I always say, live life fully, shop passionately, and try to do as much good as you can along the way. Happy New Year to all!

xxox,

Lulu

Oovoo is featured in Time

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 15:02:07 -0700

Designer Pauline Lewis of Oovoo was recently featured in Time Magazine for her support of hundred of workers in Vietnam who hand-embroider and assemble her wonderful bags. These bags are great and I carry the messenger bag often. Nice to think you are doing a good thing for others while looking fabulous

November 18 designer produces current.tv pod

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:55:11 -0700

November 18 designer Patricia Lukoszek has produced a pod for current.tv entitled The Streets Are the New Runway. I just love this designer's necklaces and tunic tops. Check out all of this designer's work at Unsung.

Featured Designer: Misile

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 22:19:36 -0700

Why I love Misile

Her style is classy and young at the same time. Her designs evoke 1940's-era glamour and retro chic. Her clothes create nostalgia yet she makes each piece completely her own style. Every piece is simple and easy to build on. Pile on pearls, add gloves or a stole, stilettos or boots. The beauty of Misile is, you can keep it simple and straightforward or mix in your own style. Either way, you'll look like a starlet.

How Misile began

28-year-old Rhonda Spogli, a former assistant designer at Hickey Freeman Co., launched Misile three years ago while living in Texas. For the past year, she has been working out of her basement to save with expenses while she builds up her client list, which includes well-known boutiques in Austin, Brooklyn and Phoenix. And of course, there's unsungdesigners.com.

Meet Unsung

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 15:09:19 -0700

Alishia Frey, in management for more than ten years, once transformed a struggling art showroom on the verge of collapse into a hugely successful gallery with more than a million dollars in sales. And she did it all in one year.

Grace Wangs expertise in client service management and internet fundraising earned over $1 million for nonprofit and charity organizations.

What happens when both women come together with their impressive credentials and creative vision? Unsung Designers is born.

Unsung operates under the philosophy is that people buy who they are. So, resumes aside, exactly who are co-owners Alishia Frey and Grace Wang?

How did the two of you first meet?

AF: We were both working for a fundraising consultancy in Washington, DC. I was in charge of development and sales.

GW: I was in charge of client relations.

So how did you get into fashion?

AF: Although my background is in gallery management and sales, my passion lies with fashion design. To me, promoting a fine artist and a fashion designer are very similar. Our goal is to promote lesser-known designers and sell their designs so that they will achieve critical mass much like a gallery.

GW: Honestly, my background is in public relations and communication. But fashion design is an art I have the utmost respect and admiration for. People with the creativity and skill to construct something beautiful as well as useful are just incredible. I believe my professional experience will bring a lot to Unsung. After all, I want to promote these wonderful designers and give everyone out there the same access to the exceptional talent I get to see every day.

What made you decide to start a business together?

AF: From time to time, Grace and I would both take trips to NYC independent of one another. We would go to the designer markets in Nolita, and shop the boutiques in SoHo, and when we returned to DC we would be stopped on the street by people asking us where we got our shirt or cuff or earrings. We joked that one day we should start a boutique in DC bringing these designers creations to this seriously lacking market. In January 2005, we both quit our jobs and began working on the business plan full-time.

GW: When we worked in fundraising, we put in insane hours at the office. During particularly long and stressful days, we threw around the idea of opening our own boutique. Alishia and I both have an intensely strong work ethic. What brought Unsung from a daydream to reality was the fact that, along with our mutual passion for clothes, we recognized this in each other.

How did you come up with the idea of Unsung Designers?

AF: It was always our intention to work only with designers that were generally unknown to the public. We saw their appeal and knew that others would love their creations, too.

GW: We both love to shop independently owned boutiques and designers markets for those really unique finds that add flourish to or completely change an outfit. We love independent designers because they create what they believe in. Its an amazing connection when you find a designer that clicks with your style perfectly. Its like love at first sight.

How do you find and select your designers?

AF: Research, word-of-mouth, other designers, friends. We are speaking to new designers daily.

GW: Many of the designers we work with are ones weve bought clothes from. Its a tremendous feeling to say Hey, I love your work and I want other people to know how great you are. I want to spread the wealth.

What makes Unsung stand out from other fashion e-tailers?

AF: We have created a very professional website that offers not only great clothing and accessories to indie fashionistas, but also other unique content like this blog, for instance. We also plan to create a private forum on our website exclusively for our designers to share ideas with one another about production, sources for materials, etcetera. We also plan to have a design contest in the future where our customers will vote for the best design, with a cash prize going to a designer. So be on the lookout for that!

GW: Were really focused on having an indie website thats nurturing to designers. Were all about promotion, and not just in the conventional ways. We want to strike the right balance between those two things.
How would you describe your own personal style?

AF: I am Unsungs perfect customer, really. I love unique things that cannot be found at department stores. I like finding pieces and weaving them into my wardrobe mixing and matching what I have and re-inventing the wheel. I am not a slave to what everyone is wearing. While I may partake in the trends, I generally like to do my own thing.

GW: I am also Unsungs customer, even though Alishia and I dress pretty differently. I like comfort, which more often than not contradicts with style. But trust me, you can have both! What I find comfortable is what stays in place -- I dont want to have to pull, fluff and adjust every two minutes. I like clothes that are fluid and flattering, things that are made of super soft cotton jersey. Or shoes I can run for the train in. Or something I could just as easily wear at the beach. Or a soft, slouchy bag that all my stuff fits into.

What's your favorite recent find?

AF: You know, for years I never wore earrings. Actually, since I was 10. I dont know why. But now I cannot get enough! I really like Tickled Pinks Ming Briolette dangles and You Lucky Girls Phillis dangles. Check em out.

GW: A buttery soft opalescent leather bag by November 18 (which we will carry in the fall) is so luxurious it makes me want to weep. Also, a pair of flat, ankle-wrap espadrilles from Sacco -- they go with literally everything. Ive almost worn out my pair of two months!

Welcome to unsung blog

lulu@unsungdesigners.com (Lulu at Unsung) — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 09:03:44 -0700

Plug into the hottest underground fashion scene on the web and connect with fashionistas around the world!

lulu's blog is a forum to share creative fashion ideas and information. As a voice for unsungdesigners.com, I will share my news and views on unsung's designers. With that, I want to hear about your killer finds and favorite emerging designers, and see your snapshots of hot looks found on the street. Share your distinctive vision with fellow fashion junkies. Also, keep an eye out for special invited guest contributors.

In the unsung spirit of promoting emerging designers, I'll feature exclusive interviews and insights from up-and-coming designers, as well as cutting-edge fashion previews, advice, and innovative ideas. Get the inside scoop on designers and trends; share juicy gossip; connect with fellow fashion fanatics. All right here!

lulu's blog is a community of creative, energetic, and cutting-edge fashion lovers who want to support the scene by helping promote unsung talent in the industry. Together well discover the freshest new designers and showcase fringe fashion at its finest.

If youd like to contribute to the blog, please send an email for consideration to: info@unsungdesigners.com .