Approaching the Fashion Show!!!

TGIF...an expression everyone said today, but for me, it was while jumping with joy!!! Because I've been working so hard on this new line, and this weekend I will simply enjoy one of my favorite things ----------- styling :-)

Tonight after work I stopped by the factory and was so proud of their workmanship. And, they finished up with 8 of the 9 new styles! I pulled 1 of each color for the models. What an awesome end of the week treat!!

I couldn't help myself to get started, and to take some pictures to share.

I don't want to give away too many previews, but I suppose you can be teased a little. ;-)

Hope to see you at the fashion show!!

Xoxo!

Katie

Journal | The Collection is Finalized! (Coming Oct 13th)

This weekend I finalized the designs of the styles of "Reese," "Kate," and "Sandra." I love them and can't wait until the factory finishes them! :)

I took a picture of the "package" I bring with me to put into production. It's essentially pattern folders and the samples with sewing notes on them. You can simply click on the photo to see closeup details.

Next Steps --

1. We need to make room for the new arrivals coming out in less than a month! So, Elegantees that are online now will go on clearance sometime this week (make sure you're on the mailing list so you become notified of this).
2. Our fashion show is still going to happen! There was a moment where I was discouraged because I wasn't getting the designs "right." I'm really glad I stuck with it, because this is the most beautiful, timely, fashionable collection yet.

See you at the fashion show! (Click here for the facebook invite)

Xo,

Katie

Journal | A Lovely Saturday Working on Elegantees!

Hey Everybody! Katie here! I love Saturdays!! There is always something to do, and if not, then I can work on Elegantees :) Today is a gorgeous day in New York City, but I haveeeeee to finish these samples to get them into work so the factory finishes sewing them in time for the fashion show. I've been running a little bit behind on schedule, even with the amazing help of Lisa, who is working on Elegantees with me.

Why I'm a little behind? Well,,,, I'm working full time again in the fashion industry for a company that sells to Home Shopping Network. I love the job, and think it's all part of a great preparation for getting me, Lisa, and Elegantees ready for Nepal --- because I feel like everything about the job is practice for what's next! :)

<-- Here is the only "pretty" sketch I made so far. It's of the "Victoria" tunic for the new line. I LOVE wearing this top with leggings and boots, and think you will too!

A few of you have asked for some sneak peeks. Today I'm making the sample of the "Sarah Jessica" top. It's going to be color blocked. And then there will be a gold zipper down the back where the combo color is. You can see a snapshot of what I'm working on. ----->

I have a "technical flat" sketch I look at while I'm making the pattern. You can get a sneak peek to the Sarah Jessica by clicking on the photo to zoom in some more...

For lunch today I am going VERY Italian!!! I have wrapped tomatoes and mozzerella with spinach and eating it just like that with a bottle of water. And super Italian because I'm listening to a CD called "The Power of the Tenor" which is of Tito Beltran singing popular opera arias!

My boyfriend gave me the CD for my birthday. He's an opera singer, and totally the best!! (I would rather hear his tenor voice than Tito Beltran's, but I still love opera and especially Italian, so am glad for the CD!)

By the way, I was surprised with a rose the other night! I loved it so much I took a picture (below). I hung it upside down to preserve it a while longer, which is hanging next to the pink fabric we're using for the Michele top to honor breast cancer survivors, and of a fun purse I found we're using for the fashion show (cheetah is so trendy this fall!).

I'm also very thrilled about this beautiful detailed trim for one of the tops. We're using a crocheted floral trim for the back of one of the tees. This is a closeup of the 1st sample. We've made a ton of changes to the design, so I'm just going to show you a little part of the tee, not the whole style.

I've fallen in LOVE with accessories for fall. Feathers, jewels, dramatic earrings, statement necklaces, bedazzled headpieces. Now that I have extra income from my new job, I've gone crazy buying some new items to dress up our models for the fashion show. Here is what I've got so far....

And lastly, here is a pic of the fabric swatches we chose for this line. Lots of beautiful colors and great neutrals such as black, navy, and charcoal grey.

Hope these sneak peeks is enough to satisfy until our fashion show on October 13th in New York City. If you're in the city, please come. It's at 7 pm - free event - @ Samsung Experience, 3rd Floor of Time Warner Center (Columbus Circle, 59th Street)

Thank you so much for all your support and encouragement!

Much love xoxo,

Katie Behnke

Mission | We Are Warriors

On Thursday we went to Central Park to do a photo shoot. We wanted this shoot to be a tribal feel but we wanted our emotion to really capture our anger and hatred for sex trafficking. When doing a look like this, you really want to speak with your eyes. In all the photos our eyes tell you how much we hate this issue and what we are fighting for. For us this is more than just fashion, it's about becoming warriors to fight human trafficking. Everyone can be a warrior in this fight and look beautiful while doing it.

Here are a few of our favorite looks:

This photo shoot was a lot different then our normal smiley type of pictures we do. We are hoping that you can see that our hearts break for the girls in human trafficking, but we aren't just going to do nothing. We are going to gear up for battle and fight against it. Won't you join us in the fight? To view all the photos check out http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.269281669766735.83691.128506430510927

Much Love From NYC,

Lisa+Katie

Fun | Exciting News + Sneak Peek

Ok, everyone, watch this video before you read more....

In summary, here's the deets:

• Samsung is sponsoring a fashion show for Elegantees on October 13th in NYC!
• The fashion show is FREE!
• We're releasing a new collection at the show (sneak peeks in this video!)

See you in NYC on October 13th!

Much love from NYC,

Katie + Lisa

Styling | The Julie Tee by Shopping, Saving & Sequins

The beautiful Vanessa Grannis of Shopping, Saving, & Sequins recently styled our Julie tee a few ways for all of us to see. She posted more photos than just the ones we're sharing, so check out her blog, Shopping, Saving & Sequins to see more! Enjoy!!

Here is what Shopping, Saving & Sequins is saying about Elegantees ::

Elegantees is not only unique in that they have a wonderful mission. Elegantees strives to suit EVERY woman! Versatile, comfy, chic...the perfect assimilation of elegance and t-shirts! Modest, affordable fashion never looked so good and here I will show you how versatile the "Julie" tee can be, for example.

LOOK #1 - Tee styled with a crisp, cream blazer by Smythe. Rock Revival skinny jeans courtesy of Simply Smashing Boutique. Christian Louboutin heels. BCBGMAXAZRIA bag. Claudia Lobao earrings and ring courtesy of Pop of Chic.

LOOK #2 - Tee styled with BCBGMAXAZRIA linen slacks. Manolo Blahnik sandals. Vintage white wicker bag. Swarovski stud earrings and a fabulous multi-layored necklace courtesy of Bella Dolce.

LOOK #3 - Tee simply styled with white skirted Nightcap Clothing leggings. Gold gladiator sandals by Coach from Loehmann's. House of Harlow 1960 leather sundial necklace. Stud earrings from Simply Smashing Boutique.

LOOK #4 - Tee casually styled with Dylan George flared/distressed jeans. Vintage Dior belt. Alexandre Birman wedges. Earrings from Loehmann's.

"...And I had to save the Best for last...one of my favorite little details on these tees is the bible verse that can be found on the underside of the care tag..."

Thank you, Vanessa, you are adorable!! We're so glad you love Elegantees :-)

Much love from NYC,

Lisa + Katie

Mission | Riverview interviews Katie Behnke of Elegantees.com

Hey Everybody! Katie here.... I met with Josh and Caitlin of the Riverview Center when I was back for our August fashion show. Thank you so much Riverview Center for being such a big fan of the work Elegantees is doing. Huge shout out to you guys as well!!

(("The mission of Riverview Center, Inc. is to provide free, comprehensive sexual and domestic assault prevention, intervention, and advocacy services to citizens of Jo Daviess and Carroll counties, Illinois and Buchanan, Delaware and Dubuque counties, Iowa."))

Thank you for following Elegantees and for all your support!

Much love,

Katie

Styling | The Kimberly Tee

Katie and Lisa here. We had some fun this morning and created a video to show you how to style the Kimberly tee in just a few steps. Ways to transform the look:

1. Wear it with jeans or a pair of slacks
2. Add a short necklace or long chain
3. Tie it in a girly bow
4. Add a belt and reposition the ruffle
5. Attach a brooch
6. Dress it hipster with skinny jeans, boots, and a hipster hat
7. Tuck it into a pencil skirt for work.
8. Grab an evening clutch, and you're set for a fun evening!

Get the Kimberly tee online by clicking here.

Much love from NYC,

Katie + Lisa

Keep following us for style advice, our mission update, behind the scenes working in fashion and the life of a midwest girl in the big city. Follow us on Facebook!

Journal | From Cows to Pidgeons

Hi, Everybody! Lisa and Katie here. We're starting this blog today to share with all our family, friends, and fans our journey with this big dream we have. Katie's been working on Elegantees for about a year and Lisa officially jumped on board a month ago. Katie's an oldie in NYC (since 2005) and Lisa is fresh off the block, or shall we say, off the farm!

We are both from Iowa, and as much as we love the country life, we're really city girls! And we're so passionate about fashion design. In fact, both of us have wanted to pursue it since we were 12 (that was 1998 for Katie, and 2003 for Lisa). Hehe, showing our age ;-)

One thing we do not miss is all the cows we smelled in Iowa. We've upgraded to pidgin poop. (Lisa says she's running from the pidgins because they're everywhere and doesn't want them to drop a surprise on her elegantee!)

But the neatest thing about our desire to be in this industry is we believe we can make a difference in designing clothing that is modest, and show how to dress it fashionably and elegantly. We also are determined to stop sex trafficking since we hate it very much.

Since we are in the amazing New York City we will be taking photos and sharing them and our stories of our exciting lives here. We hope you enjoy and follow us.

Until our next post, enjoy these photos from our latest photo shoot.

Lisa is brunette, and Katie is the blonde one.

Much love from NYC,

Katie + Lisa

Keep following us for style advise, our mission update, behind the scenes working in fashion, and the life of a midwest girl in the big city. Follow us on Facebook.