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