Not Just A Clothing Line

Vanilla Orchid, Shop No 22 Elridge Square

I don't design clothes, I design dreams. - Ralph Lauren

This past Saturday was the launch of my clothing line, SomersetJane for the first time now available in store. A small event to say 'hello, I've arrived' and to witness the start of what I believe is going to be one fabulous journey. As it turned out the day was wonderful, quiet at times busy at others but most of all successful. As I saw my clothing being sold, to various women, some young, some old, some tall , some short, I began to think of what I'd like to represent for these ladies, what my name will mean in fashion and how to make them see.

A lot of work goes into my line from my side, many hours at a sewing machine, many hours picking and choosing fabrics, more hours folding, cutting and shaving away at patterns getting the perfect fit. What I'd like to think goes more into this fashion process are my dreams. Tucked away in my studio at home is a wealth of inspiration. Not nearly large enough and always a little muddled, within these walls, my energy when I work, my thoughts and prayers, the music I play and all my hopes and dreams get filtered down into every piece and every design. Up on the wall are a collection of sketches and photographs, news paper clippings, certificates, and trophies to remind me of my achievements, to know where I'm going without forgetting where I've been. I'm a big dreamer and am always wondering far off into the future. For now though one dream is coming true. People have access to my clothing and through this I have access to them. 

The work of my hands and my heart will follow each piece that is sold. I wish upon each item worn that it would bring them the joy that it brought me to design it, that as they wear upon them my daily dreams, looking fabulous would inspire them to make theirs come true. So yes I'm sounding all soppy and maybe a little far fetched and silly, and maybe all I do is design clothing, sell it, live off the profits, just a job you know? Well no, I'll never view it as that, even if all this hopes and dreams stuff never comes true. It gets me through my day, it gives this superficial world of fashion and trends some heart and makes my fashion environment all rosy. In taking on the task I have, I need that and I need to believe that dreams do come true, that others will realise theirs and that fashion will link us together. Fashionistas forever....

 

Check out the new range at Vanilla Orchid, Elridge Square Bartlett, Boksburg and soon coming to Mademoiselle Lakefield Square.

 Stay posted for pics of new designs and when they'll be in store!

Yours in style,

Melissa Jane xoxo

First Love

'When did you first fall in love with fashion' - The title to an article in the new Elle mag. The article recounts thirteen women's first encounter with fashion, and how they knew a love affair had begun with no turning back.

On reading the pages of my favourite mag, I too began to think of my first 'fashion feelings'. I remember a light bulb sort of moment when I was around ten years old. It was the night before a 'civvies' day at primary school where we could wear our everyday clothes. I went to my mom in tears. Not a very stylish kid, and having a BFF who was the 'it' girl, (if you can have those at the age of ten) I needed a fairy god mother to make me over Cinderella style or I wasn't going to school. I pleaded with my mom for a solution. In her motherly way she tried to explain that looks and clothing didn't matter, only comfort, personal style and personality. Blah, blah, blah. These words to a chubby child with little confidence and a wardrobe fit for prairie living couldn't begin to penetrate my immature impulses. I had no branded clothing, thought I was in desperate need of the infamous 'spice shoes' (a hideous breed of platform trainer branded by fans of the Spice Girls) and to avoid mockery I was not going to be seen dead in any threads from my nerd infested wardrobe. It came about that my gran had thrown out some old clothing and given it to us to look through. There were some old skirts which I had taken a liking to but they weren't nearly a good fit. I remember my mom getting out the sewing machine and trying to salvage something wearable from the hand-me-downs. Now at this point in time I had 'fat' issues, fashion issues, confidence issues and the issue that my BFF was sure to show up in something super trendy and only increase her popularity. Ultra sulky and sorry for myself, my mom was only trying to make me smile and somehow see a silver lining. I don't think I ended up wearing an altered skirt or getting out of going to school the next day but I am pretty sure that that night was the spark that led to my fashion career. My mom gave me the idea that old can become new. A fact in fashion is that decades past always repeat themselves, retro, vintage etc. And then the revelation that clothing can be transformed and made to suit your personal style.

So when I think back on my childhood years, there are other moments that could have led to my love for fashion. The fact that my grandmother had always sewn and made beautiful girly dresses for me. Or the fun I'd have dressing up in my moms clothes, draped in beads and tip-toeing in her stilettos. These would definitely have triggered my interest, but not allowed for my love, and life to be engulfed by fashion as it is today. So that's my moment, my favourite early fashion memory. Set apart from the rest as one that shaped a career in fashion as apposed to just the liking.

I look back on my fashion past, short as it may be, and see so many gorgeous memories. Memories that cause me to continually fall in love with fashion all over again. Fashion has made my dreams come true and I know will continue to do so. It never let's me down, even when I make mistakes and the inevitable 'faux pas', it sticks around until I find myself again. It's my perfect partner, the constant in my life, yet changes so oft that I'm rarely bored. And as I am at present a single gal, my business designing fashion apparel and ever trying to live up to being a fabulous fashionista, it seems I've got it all.. And smartly too, as my work and relationship are one. And this now brings me to it. Nonsensical and shallow minded, even superficial as it may be, fashion is and always will be my first love.

Pics from my fashion past, record of a budding fashionista..

    Is a  little girl ever really a girl without a little glitter?

Bringing back some 20's glam, way ahead of the times!

Yours in style,

Melissa Jane xoxo