This week I only worked on Friday because Thursday I got to see Leighton Meester at a live taping of It's On with Alexa Chung!! (thanks irving...)
Therefore, when I went in on Friday at 10am, Kelly informed me that she was physically unable to move around much, and so unfortunately accumulated a lot of errands for me. I first ran over to Lining Club where I searched in vain for an aqua-color acetate lining. I finally settled on poly lining because I thought color match was more important, but Jamie still wanted acetate. Then I went to Excel to pick up 3 different zippers, and then to Mood to get a 24" zipper, since Excel only had 22" zippers. The Mood zipper was requested by a customer who returned her dress twice since the 22" zipper would not fit the customer x.x!! I also picked up mink balls that Kelly had to reserve (I had to ask for Johnathon). At C&J I picked up a roll of chiffon and taffeta, and paid by check. Finally I went to Rehka to pick up the beading that Jamie and I had set up last week. I also went to B&Q to pick up 2 yds of single row and 1 yd of double row rhinestones
Then it was time for drop-offs! I went to 35th and 9th ave to go to Eagle, a dye company in a run-down building. I had to drop off some tulle to be dyed a certain color.
I picked up some subway for lunch, and then went to the dollar store to pick up plastic bags, paper towels, and floor cleaner wanna-be's, then to Steinlauf for a box of pins. I also had to run to Kleinfelds (one of the bridal stores that carry Pesavento), on 20th and 6th, to drop off a swatch sample book from one of the fabric companies (Super) because a client was requesting one of our dresses in another color. When I got to Kleinfelds I was again amazed, absolutely taken aback by the gorgeous building and sculpturally trimmed bushes, and then finally the endless rows of beautifully arranged gowns. So unfathomable. Once I came out of my stupor I asked for Ingrid, and was instructed down the stairs to meet her and hand her the sample card.
Upon returning I sorted the last of our taffeta fabric and organized everything in the fabric roll racks. Finally, done for the day!! Till next time!
-la vie en rose
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Day 15 & 16
These past 2 days have been both long and progressive! Thursday I had to finish sorting and organizing the remaining (aka. most disastrous) fabric shelves. I rubberbanded my way through chiffon and pinned my fingers through layers of scrunched tulle. I was then delighted to be asked to do something i havnt done yet: beading layouts with Jamie! Together we found the original beading samples from 2 dresses. The first was a long vine and flower pattern I had to cut out, but the sample was a gold. So, Jamie asked me to pin it to the back of pattern paper. Then, he proceeded to point to the various beads and write directions on what color changes he wanted to appear. He had me go over to the beading shelf and pull out the gold and silver bead boxes to find the right 2-cut, round, bugles beads, and sequins in the right colors. Then we taped a few samples of each by the directions, so that when we sent it to Rehka beading, they would know exactly what color and size each bead should be. It gets sent to China, so we have to make sure everything is perfect and correct, or else major problems occur! After making copies of the invoices we wrapped up each beading package with a corresponding tulle on which to do the beading work. I was sent to Rehka to drop off the bundles and Super to pick up 2 yards of chiffon. I also stopped at C&J to pick up an iridescent taffeta swatch, which I used to find tulle to match (at Mood) and to find beads.
Friday I first went to Fun 2 Bead in search of a sequin, round bead, and 2 cut to match the taffeta. Unfortunately my first attempt was unsatisfactory, and I had to run back to 38th and 6th in search of better luck. I was really discouraged and winded up with 5 vials at the next store, NY Bead (because they wanted me to go to Toho Shoji but it was under construction) but I kept second guessing myself. Since the taffeta was iridescent, I didnt know which color to match, or whether to go lighter or darker so that the beading would contrast the fabric. Finally, I decided to go with my gut and chose one vial that stood out particularly well with the taffeta. Thank god I did, because Jamie loved it and we used it as the reference color for the rest of the beading. After, I went to lining club and picked up 4 yards royal blue and 5 yards bright red acetate lining. While I was there I engaged in a confusing debate about everyone in America cheating each other out of money, and it eventually screwing the bank. Thoughts, anyone? I then ran over to Mood to find matching tulle for those colors. Finally, I went to the Bank of America to drop off a check for the bank from Jamie. Kelly and I packed up the last bundle for Rehka, and I went to the Post Office to buy a new booklet of stamps and send out a 2-Day first class package for Jamie.
Friday I first went to Fun 2 Bead in search of a sequin, round bead, and 2 cut to match the taffeta. Unfortunately my first attempt was unsatisfactory, and I had to run back to 38th and 6th in search of better luck. I was really discouraged and winded up with 5 vials at the next store, NY Bead (because they wanted me to go to Toho Shoji but it was under construction) but I kept second guessing myself. Since the taffeta was iridescent, I didnt know which color to match, or whether to go lighter or darker so that the beading would contrast the fabric. Finally, I decided to go with my gut and chose one vial that stood out particularly well with the taffeta. Thank god I did, because Jamie loved it and we used it as the reference color for the rest of the beading. After, I went to lining club and picked up 4 yards royal blue and 5 yards bright red acetate lining. While I was there I engaged in a confusing debate about everyone in America cheating each other out of money, and it eventually screwing the bank. Thoughts, anyone? I then ran over to Mood to find matching tulle for those colors. Finally, I went to the Bank of America to drop off a check for the bank from Jamie. Kelly and I packed up the last bundle for Rehka, and I went to the Post Office to buy a new booklet of stamps and send out a 2-Day first class package for Jamie.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Day 13 & 14
Thursday Kelly was back from Italy and we rearranged so much furniture around! We unhooked and rehooked up 2 monitors and hard drives, and we felt very accomplished and strong. :D Kelly finally had a computer at her desk and we had a functioning fax machine! Next I dusted in some areas that have probably not seen the light of light bulbs since 2003, and we switched the garment ticket organizer with the swatch sample books and beading samples. I then went over to lining club to buy 5 yards of lavender acetate lining. I also had to repeatedly badger Klauber, a lace company, about whether they could offer a certain pattern composition in a much smaller width. It took many persistent phone calls but the representative finally called me back to say that they did not, but she was going to ask a guy named Josh to try to find alternatives. We lost the center front drape of 3506 and were all freaking out. I luckily found it in the bad version of 3503, but after a major freakout, we were able to return the right pattern pieces. Deana and I packed away a few dresses and then I was on my way home again.
Friday Jamie finally came in and I showed him my term garments, with which he was very pleased. We had another pattern scare and basically annoyed ever yone in production trying to find the patterns. Then I read the instructions of the packet more carefully nd aI realized that the pattern 3509 used a different pattern (3510H) for the bottom skirt pieces that we were trying to locate, and Kelly was able to avoid a heart attack. Yay for me! We spent the rest of the time trying to inventory alllll of our lining. We didnt even begin the other fabric yet, individually labeling and documenting years of accumulated lining was not a quick process!!
-la vie en rose
Friday Jamie finally came in and I showed him my term garments, with which he was very pleased. We had another pattern scare and basically annoyed ever yone in production trying to find the patterns. Then I read the instructions of the packet more carefully nd aI realized that the pattern 3509 used a different pattern (3510H) for the bottom skirt pieces that we were trying to locate, and Kelly was able to avoid a heart attack. Yay for me! We spent the rest of the time trying to inventory alllll of our lining. We didnt even begin the other fabric yet, individually labeling and documenting years of accumulated lining was not a quick process!!
-la vie en rose
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Day 11 & 12
Well, I have finally returned to New York! Yesterday I arrived to Pesavento at the surprise of Deana, the other intern. Jamie was at a trunk show and Kelly (the new manager) was in Italy! So, I just helped Deana drop off a sample dress at Kleinfelds, a BEAUTIFUL huuuuge eveningwear boutique. It was so formal and professional, I was ashamed to be standing in jeans and sneakers! I also dropped off a package and and bought 5 yds of navy blue acetate lining at Lining Club.
Today was much more productive, and I had to stay all the way till the end. The weather was absolutely horrible, however, and both umbrellas that I attempted to use broke and crumpled up on me. I came home soaking wet after stepping through countless puddles and running in pouring rain to make sure that I covered the beading I picked up from Rehka and the silk taffeta I picked up from C&J. It was funny, because right after I entered the building for Rehka, the front desk asked if I spoke Chinese. There was a Chinese delivery guy who had to deliver to 11G, but the front desk insisted that 11G has been long vacant. After trying several other numbers, to no avail, I talked to the delivery guy's manager, and explained the situation, and proceeded to tell the delivery guy to return to the restaurant! The front desk was very grateful for a translator. :)
Friday is also inventory day, so I had to go buy black covered boning as well as 3 navy/3 black 22' zippers at Excel. Also, black thread at Sil Thread. Then I had to buy 4 yards of 3 row rhinestones at B&Q. It was supposed to be $66 but it was $71.53 after tax, and I didn't realize that as resalers we were not supposed to pay tax! So I had to run in the rain all the way back to 38th street to get the refund. At Guide Fabrics I dropped off an order form for 10yds each of firm black, soft black, and soft white siri. Also, 15 yards of soft muslin. Lastly, I stopped at the 99cent store to buy garbage and plastic bags, and Staples Copy/Print Shop to make copies.
Lastly, I packed 4 dresses to be shipped to Kleinfelds, the Engle Shop, and Rhonas. Two of the cocktail dresses had been sewn a little too high on the bustline and Jamie worried that it would simply stick straight up, but with UPS coming on this day, and the other of the Rhonas dresses (in which Jeanie had forgotten to include sparkly tulle) needing to be shipped, Jamie could only sigh and send them off after a bit of tacking. The creative design gone wrong is the worst thing that a designer must deal with, because everything has already been clean finished and in serious need to make the deadline.
Well, until next time!
-la vie en rose
Today was much more productive, and I had to stay all the way till the end. The weather was absolutely horrible, however, and both umbrellas that I attempted to use broke and crumpled up on me. I came home soaking wet after stepping through countless puddles and running in pouring rain to make sure that I covered the beading I picked up from Rehka and the silk taffeta I picked up from C&J. It was funny, because right after I entered the building for Rehka, the front desk asked if I spoke Chinese. There was a Chinese delivery guy who had to deliver to 11G, but the front desk insisted that 11G has been long vacant. After trying several other numbers, to no avail, I talked to the delivery guy's manager, and explained the situation, and proceeded to tell the delivery guy to return to the restaurant! The front desk was very grateful for a translator. :)
Friday is also inventory day, so I had to go buy black covered boning as well as 3 navy/3 black 22' zippers at Excel. Also, black thread at Sil Thread. Then I had to buy 4 yards of 3 row rhinestones at B&Q. It was supposed to be $66 but it was $71.53 after tax, and I didn't realize that as resalers we were not supposed to pay tax! So I had to run in the rain all the way back to 38th street to get the refund. At Guide Fabrics I dropped off an order form for 10yds each of firm black, soft black, and soft white siri. Also, 15 yards of soft muslin. Lastly, I stopped at the 99cent store to buy garbage and plastic bags, and Staples Copy/Print Shop to make copies.
Lastly, I packed 4 dresses to be shipped to Kleinfelds, the Engle Shop, and Rhonas. Two of the cocktail dresses had been sewn a little too high on the bustline and Jamie worried that it would simply stick straight up, but with UPS coming on this day, and the other of the Rhonas dresses (in which Jeanie had forgotten to include sparkly tulle) needing to be shipped, Jamie could only sigh and send them off after a bit of tacking. The creative design gone wrong is the worst thing that a designer must deal with, because everything has already been clean finished and in serious need to make the deadline.
Well, until next time!
-la vie en rose
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