le showroom

In exactly 4 weeks, on September 28th, I leave for Paris for Le Showroom. Now the countdown begins to get our goods in order, our announcements out, our catalogs ready to be printed, our new collection in top form.

For the last four seasons since 2006, twice a year during fashion week, I've been launching the next season's collections at a beautiful 18th c. atelier in Paris. It's a tradeshow but unlike the typical tradeshow you might find in a large convention center, it's an intimate affair, with beautiful large windows, ornate fixtures and mouldings, bright light white walls right in the heart of Paris, a stone's throw from the Louvre and the Bourse and all the other shows that take place during fashion week.



We are not boxed in like at other shows, but exposed to our neighbors, other designers, mostly independent, smaller labels who, just like me, work themselves silly to get ready for the show. Like me, they love what they do and are passionate about their creations which have become integral to their lives and livelihood (Think Project Runway final challenge). Hortensia de Hutten and Sebastién, her son, the organizers of the show, are also passionate about what they do and work hard to make sure we, the designers, have the best venue possible to expose our work to buyers, the fashion world, the press. They have become like my French family when I'm in Paris and operate their business with grace and humility and tremendous experience and savvy.




Every season I go, nervous with the hopes of introducing my work to the world, always a risk and always made immensely better once I arrive at the show, unpack my suitcase and start to set up. Always made better, when Hortensia and her wonderful family greet me at the door with kisses and smiles, when I see my old friends and meet many new. Always made better when that first buyer or magazine editor walks up and vindicates months and months of hard work.

the flat of my lovely friend Coco, where I stay when I'm in Paris, on rue Cardinale Lemoine

Look at the Le Showroom website under "exhibitors" to see more of our catalog shots and some of the other designers at the show! And if you have another minute to spare, read one of my early posts, in February 2007, with an early packing list for Paris! Ha..so funny to read again now...