Why be inspired, not influenced?

As you may have read, savannahred's slogan is "be inspired, not influenced." It sounds pretty catchy, but what does that really mean from savannahred's standpoint?

First, why "not influenced"? While the word "influence" can mean something positive, it can have a negative connotation as well. Being "under the influence" of something/someone usually means a person is up to no good, right? When my mom got mad at me in high school for "faking sick" a lot my junior year (ok, I was only kind of sick - Who really wanted to go to high school anyway? Right?!), she would say, "This is Kelsey's influence, isn't it?!" (Poor Kelsey. :-/) By saying, "be inspired, not influenced," I'm challenging those who read my slogan to pursue only something positive and to think about what may simply inspire them.

Inspiration is an incredible word, and for someone like me who has a tendency to focus on syntax, "inspire" is a word of power. It's a word of action and good things! I also believe that each person builds on ideas from others throughout their creative processes, which shares our hearts and minds, and inspiration is the main component of that. With "be inspired," I'm challenging those who read my slogan to really dig deeper.

Speaking of inspiration, I've been meaning to share this. Somehow this awesome lady, Courtney, got inspired by yours truly in a big, big way! To sum it up, this lady made a concrete mosaic and fabric replica of savannahred's Love Buttons dress and put it in an art show! How freakin' cool is that?! When I saw it, I cried. (It was also next to a giant painting of Jimi Hendrix, so there was a little more lovin' there on the side, too.) Courtney is one sweet, sweet, curvy lady, and every time I see her, my heart jumps with glee! She works for Sublime Stitching (where this blog post lives) and she is all kinds of incredible. How she was inspired by me, I'm not sure, but I've been touched by this amazing display of talent and love. Thank you, Courtney. Your work means more to me than you know!

On a personal note (not that this blog is anything BUT personal! Dear Diary...), the next collection I am working on is grabbing inspiration from so many aspects of my life! You'll hear all about Native Swing Fall 2012 soon enough - don't worry! :)

There will be another update soon, so I won't divulge anymore. Hope your Thanksgiving was amazing and filled with love and laughter!

<3.

2 years old - We're going places!

Well, gorgeous, savannahred curvy couture celebrated her 2nd birthday this past Friday! It has been an incredible 2 years, I must say. A lot of growth, a lot of sweat, a lot of tears, and an ABUNDANCE of love has transpired. I simply cannot wait to see where she's off to now! She really feels unstoppable. Trust me - I know her! ;)

But really, I just want to say thank you to all of the people who have been apart of this experience with me since the beginning and along the way. I've worked with some of the most talented photographers, artists, models, and other designers in the industry and outside of the industry. All of these people have given me a chance by supporting me, upholding who I am and my ideals, and have encouraged me to take this baby to the top - and that's exactly where we're going.

I've said it before and I will repeat it now - savannahred is more than just a clothing company, and lots of people are starting to catch on to that idea. Each day that I am able to get behind a sewing machine is a dream come true because I am able to provide a beautiful woman with something to adorn her gorgeous body and make her feel like royalty so that she can love herself and spread that love to others. Love is a beautiful gift that multiplies, and when we enable others to see that love within themselves, it becomes richer, deeper, and purer, and it can only travel outward. The love that I have for my design company, for my amazing customers/friends, for the world that I believe can see beauty in everyone one day, is literally stitched into every garment (which is why I prefer to use the term "love-crafted"). And from every custom order and every garment sold off the rack, I have been infused with a piece of each woman's heart as I carry it with me along with their stories, their hopes, and their triumphs. As e e cummings says, "i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)."

We're going places. In fact, this month, we're going to the Ruby Room Fashion Show in Seattle to spread some savannahred love butta. But don't worry, Austin/TX people - we're letting you see what's going out before it hops on the plane. Come to the Fabricker's Fashion Apparel Fabric Inventory Presale Event the night before we depart, Sept. 28! We've also got big plans for next year, so hold tight. There's a Kickstarter project coming to you soon - and a fundraising party to boot!

Thank you for letting me jump right in and start a fashion love riot with savannahred. Thank you for being there on the runway, alongside the runway, and/or backstage at the runway. Thank you for your encouragement when, as in any business old and new, there have been days when I wasn't sure I was going to make it. Thank you for your patronage, your Facebook likes, your newsletter sign-ups, your comments, and your enthusiasm. Thank you for making my job the best job on the planet, working for the most beautiful people on the planet.

Most of all, thank you for YOUR love - your beautiful, organic, made-only-by-you love that really keeps the sewing machine in my little heart running nonstop.

And to my sweet savannahred, happy little birthday to you!

<3.

Anslee

photo by Annie Ray

makeup by Kandy Glass with facekandy

jewelry by Jillian Simmang with Simmang Design

hat by Laura del Villaggio with Milli Starr

clothing by ... well, you know who ;)

You're totally invited!

Hey, ladies! I know I should have updated a lot more since my last post (SORRRYYYY!!!) but I wanted to invite you to something really fun and awesomely cool that you don't want to miss!

What: Girl Party!

Who: Girls only! {savannahred}

When: Saturday, April 23 @ 6:30pm

Where: Cypress Vanguard courtyard @ 606 E 3rd St., Austin, TX 78701

What's up?!: Come one lady, come all ladies - this is a Girl Party with {savannahred}!

There will be food, fun jams, vodka + mixers, and minglings galore!

Take the night off and hang out with {savannahred} in the courtyard at Cypress Vanguard. You deserve a low key, fun time!

Photo taken by Todd White

Model is Spruce Dickerson

Wanna come?: RSVP here - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=138501766221612