Can not sleep.

Good early morning,

Its around 3:58 a. m. I kind of just woke up out of no where. I am tired but can not sleep bc my head is overloading with problems to solves, designing some new pieces for the Holiday, fitting that needs to be schedule, dresses that need to be in production, special orders.
That is just the design and production end for my line for the store.

There is still marketing and so many other things I need to work on.

Part of me feels like the Holiday is coming and I want a mini vacation. But the fashion business does not work that way. I need to have Fall 2011 be finished by mid Feb.

How do I split my time btw design, production, and marketing? That is always a dilemma. I am smart enough to know I need help.

I am trying to be smart. Am I being smart? Am I making good decision. Why do I have to make all this decisions?

Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much?

Why am I writing this blog in the early morning?

Why am I questioning if I can do all this when I have been doing it for the last ten years? Maybe I guess bc I feel like it is a new ballgame out there.

Maybe this is just me pmsing....?.

Maybe I need to tried to get some sleep. Or just get up and start work so I can feel some kind of control and accomplishment.

Am I letting you know too much? TMI?

Am I watching too much Oprah's and I want to share my uncertainties and doubts.


I should go back to sleep and try to have dream about relaxing on the beach.

Wish me luck and sweet dreams.

Chloe

Spring 2011 Video, Thank You Mr. Anthony Dowd

Hola,

So as promised, here are some pictures from the filming of my spring 2011 fashion story. This spring I was feeling happy and free- like a bird. The fashion story is the embodiment of the spring 2011 girl. She is the 3 F's: flirty, fun, and pure fashion. The story begins with a girl who is about to start the best day of her life. She wakes up, hops on her Vespa, buys herself some flowers, goes shopping, eats ice cream, plays at the park, and finds love. I wish I could always have days like that. Here's the link to the video, enjoy!

Unfortunately, the swing didn't make it into the video.


I want to thank everyone who came out to support my collection on Wed. at the first ever Houston fashion week. My team and I were super proud of the collection. It turned out more beautiful than we imagined. Some of even got emotional, lol. You know it's good fashion when you make someone cry.
But most of all, I want to thank Anthony Dowd for his hard work on the video. Without him there would be no video. It was his baby, his vision, and he was the art director and the producer for the whole shoot. He did an amazing job with such short notice. He's my 411. I'm so sorry that I forgot to acknowledge you on the program.

Other shout outs:
Thank you so much, Phil for allowing us to borrow your vintage Vespa. I wanted to drive away with it.

Thanks to Michael and Rich for letting us shoot in your fabulous townhomes!

Michael Frankel and Sean Elder and the Art Institute team for videotaping and editing.

I really enjoyed working with my two models/actress/actor Bridget and Don. Bridget, you looked a-ma-zing in the clothes! You looked modelicious!

Love life,

Love fashion,

Love Chloe Dao

HFW and Spring 2011 Collection

HI Everyone,
I finally have a moment to breathe and update my blog. Lots of stuff has been going on, mostly I've been working really hard on the Spring 2011 collection for Houston Fashion Week! I am super excited and super exhausted, but I gotta make it work and carry on. My show is on Oct. 13th, so be sure to come and see what I've been busting my butt for. You can buy tickets here; 1 ticket will get you into all of the shows for that day. Divisi Strings will be providing the runway music for my show. If you went to my Spring 2010 show, you know that they rock the house.

The inspiration for the collection comes from the color and print of the Think Pink scarf that I designed for this year.

Here is the inspiration board and a couple of sketches from the collection. The birds represent to me the freedom and the exuberance of the 1920's. The collection mixes elements of the birds, laser cut outs, and my love of color-blocking. We have up to 20 pieces already, but I feel that I need to add a couple more evening dresses. I'm hoping that the collection comes together the way I imagined it.

Also last weekend, we've been filming a fashion story that we will be playing in the background as my collection walks the runway. Thanks to the team at Art Institute for doing the filming, and thanks to my models Bridget and Don for making my clothes "modelicious". Don't we all wish we could be modelicious, lol. I'll post up pictures for the filming in my next blog.


Love life,
Love fashion,
Love Chloe

Sept. 6th

Hi everyone,

Its Friday night around 9:30 pm. I had a fabulous time last night at my party at my Lot 8 boutique. It was pretty fun to kind of kick start Audi Fashion Houston coming up on Oct 11-15.
I will be showing my collection for Spring 2011 on Oct .13th. It will be me, Toni Whitaker, Irina Shabayeva. I love it. It is an all ladies show. Tickets are available online at www.fashionhouston.com . I am just now starting on the collection. I have 5 weeks to pull this together.

I usually wouldn't stressed about it but I am leaving this Sunday for Philly and NYC. I will be gone for a whole week. I know my team will be working on the direction and ideas I have given them. The truth is I am still at the experimental stage of the collection. It is still trial and errors right now. Pray for me! I will need it. This is truly a very tight schedule.

Even though, I am nervous about my new collection. I am very anxious to do my QVC shows coming up Monday. Here is my schedule for Sept 6th , Eastern time,
I have a 6 am-7am, 1pm-3pm, and 2 styles for PM style with Lisa Robertson starting at 7pm.

That is a lot of shows but I have not been back to QVC since my July show.

Ladies, I have great reorders in new colors. You all have been asking for my stitch cardigan (A84524) to be made in new colors. I brought it back in rich, creamy , luxurious ivory and sophisticated, bold, royal deep purple. Look out for it with Lisa Robertson.

You know I have worked on some of these designs months and months before it gets on air. Sometime, some of my favorites do not survive the process and I am so sadden when that happens. There are many reasons why we can not make certain things. The biggest is we just can not afford it or we do not meet the fabric minimum order. My dream like every other designers out there is to make clothes without a budget restriction. How wonderful would that be? Do not get me started.


Well with that said, I think I did a pretty good job with the new designs I am showing Monday. Here are some pics. Tell me if you like it. If you are watching and buying something please try and call me on air. My favorite part of the show is talking to you my ladies. Without y'all, there is no me.

Miss Jessica wearing....

Ivory Cardigan (A84524), Printed Knit Top with Cowl Neck (A209804)

Charmeuse Blouse with Georgette Trim (A209797)

Houndstooth Crop Swing Jacket( A90946) , Striped Knit Top with Bow Detail(A209795)

Faux Wrap Ponte Skirt (A89823) My favorite skirt!

Double Breasted Trench Coat(A209793), Printed Poncho Blouse with Elastic Waist(A209802)

Cardigan with Button Back Scarf(A209801)
Stretch Knit Stirrup Legging(A84543)

The Trend of the Season

Faux Leopard Print Jacket w/Funnel Neck (A203260)
Stretch Knit Stirrup Legging(A84543)



On a side note, most of the time, I am always just jumping from one project to another and not taking the time to really feel blessed. I do not know what happened today, but suddenly, it hit me. I am a very lucky girl to be able to just create thing and have an audience for it. Thank you everyone who appreciate my work,sincerely.

I am being mushy. I do not know why? I am a girl. What more can I say.


I hope you will be watching.....

Chloe

Austin Fashion Week

Hi everyone,

It is Wednesday, 2:36pm. Its have been a few days since Austin Fashion Week and I am very happy the show went super well.

I know I said that I will tell you all about my drama. But after calming down and I realized it is not worth my time or energy to focus on the negative, especially now that it is the past. If I talk about it now I am just giving more attention then it deserve.

But I will talk about the positive. In the chaos of the situation, my team really shine. We feel felt the frustration together, best of all we made it worked together.

Some how the Fashion Gods saw my misery and everything fell into place. The hair and makeup team was so supportive and amazing. The models rocked it. Thank you Monica and Bridget, my angel models for coming to my rescued. They made a huge difference.

One of my motto in life is that "Good things happen to good people." It is so wonderful when that does come true. Everything was not perfect in this show but that is life, I compromised and moved on.

As Michael Kors said, "It just Fashion, People!"

Here are some pics: Enjoy!

The Models and the amazing Hair and Make up crews! Without them, I just have dresses. With them, it is a vision.

Brigette, Monica, Pamela, me, Clarrisa

The Verizon bar! We are gorgeous bars. I speak only the truth.

Brigette, Monica, Rebekah

Chloe's Angel ( Silly me, but I like!)

Brigette, Can I please be you?

Monica, such elegance. Can I be you too?

Love Life,
Love Fashion,
Love,
Chloe

Austin Fashion Week

Hi everyone,

Its 8:34 pm and I am starting to write this blog. I did not go to sleep last night until 2 a.m. Crazy right b/c the night before I got up at 4:30 a.m. I do not know how I look so good!

Just kidding...

Tomorrow I am going to Austin for its fashion week. I truly love Austin. Its the combination of the city landscape, attitude and weather. Make me "weird" any day.


This will be my first time being a part of Austin Fashion Week. I always look
forward to seeing other designers works. B/c some time, its help you realized how
good you are or not! Fashion is not a sport but we are constantly critiquing and the
dreadful word- Judging- each other.

I am very supportive of other designers but you can't help but compare your work to
other. I just trying to be "real".


I am hoping to see a design that is inspirational and make me push myself further.

In 8 weeks is the first ever Houston Fashion week. I have nothing yet. I have NOTHING....., did I tell you, I have nothing.

Am I nervous? Yes and no b/c I think I am a sick person b/c I work well under pressure and I like it. Give me too much time and I am all over the place. I have to many ideas and it is hard to edit. Limited time work best for me.

I will keep you updated on this collection to be. This baby needs to pop out of me by Oct 11. Spring 2011 please come to me in my sleep tonight.

I think lack of sleep is making sound crazy in this blog. Hopefully, I do not.



Well, here are some pictures of the my mini collection for Sat. If you are in Austin this weekend. Come check out the show. here is the link: http://www.fashionweekaustin.com/.

I love this group b/c it is a continuation of my Fall 2009 collection. She is tough, cool, and sexy. Work it and Bring it!

I sound silly. Enjoy the pics before I write myself into a silly mess. Need sleep.....

The sketches! Thanks to Sasha. I am so jealous of her illustration skills.

Courtney gown. Making it work!

Love me this back. Freaking couture.

Erica's skin looks ridiculous here. Flawless. No photoshoot here. Lenox looks amazing on her.

My height is btw Erica's boob's and knee. The dress I am wearing is like my homey muumuu dress. It feels like air. Do not judge me please!



This is a peek at the collection. I will update on the next blog from Austin.

Sweet dreams, my friends.

Chloe

Go Orange/ Nuo Bag.

Hi Everyone,

Its 10:31 pm. on Wednesday night. I have been up since 4:30 a.m. working on finishing my mini collection for Austin Fashion Week this weekend.

But I want to talk about what I did this weekend. This past Sat., I finally did my photo shoot for Go Orange Campaign.

What is Go Orange?

Here is the press release.


Stitching for a Cause

To kick-off Fashion Week, Moves magazine is partnering with Food Bank
For New York City to raise money to combat hunger with a unique celebrity
design challenge, matching creativity with a good cause.
In this unique event, Project Runway participants are to design original handbags
in Food Bank’s signature orange color to be donated to a charity auction
in the fall. The press opp includes the design of the bag (design details
below) and an invitation to attend the red carpet event hosted by our cover
girl before New York City Fashion Week on September 8, where the unique
bag designs will be unveiled for the first time. All bags will be donated to the
charity for auction with all proceeds going to Food Bank. Pre and post design
press will continue in support of Food Bank’s “Go Orange” Campaign,

Luckily, I will be in NYC for this event. It will be really fun to meet other PR designers I haven't met.

The bag I designed is from my classic satchel bag for Nuo. The print is my brand new abstract flower. This print is not out in store or online yet so you are getting a private glimpse of it. This color story was specifically designed for Go Orange only. But I love it! So you never know. So in a few months this color story might be hitting stores soon.

Here is a few pictures from my shoot. Kris Mcmanus did the shoot and my make up. She is a triple threat. She is an amazing makeup artist, a graphic designer thus a great photographer. Check her website out..

http://www.kristinamcmanus.com/

Let's me know what you think of the bag. Thanks Kris for making look so good.

Love Life,
Love Fashion,
Love,
Chloe