My first event as my own brand/label is in 2 weeks time.

I will be exhibiting Bazzaar Vintage on the ¾/11. This is a Vintage Fair with Aprils’ Event focusing on Eco/Upcycling goods.

I have been working on products to sell, but also how and what I want to communicate.

The link, "Carving a Niche in the Fashion Industry", is from a designer, Chelsea Jones, debuting her line at Style X, the fashion expo attached to SouthXSouthWest.

The piece has posed a number of questions and given me answers.

Q.How do you stand out?

A. Being original, with strength and being well placed. (What does well placed mean?) Tell people where to look.

Q. The product ?

“beautiful design, easy to decipher, that can be returned to be developed”

When I began thinking about products, I had 8 different concepts. Dresses, Re-embellished Tees, jean/skirts. All based on upcycled garments.

Clothing fairs/vintage fairs have a wide range of different products every where.

With eight different types of garments my space would be confusing and the communication would be complicated with no strong story.

I have taken this eight and taken down to 1 idea…mens shirts.

Q. Individuality or Trend Driven?

"StyleX focus on style not trend…reaching the public, not the elite"

A. I completely agree with this, individual style is more important. The public has more power than the elite. My garments enter the discussion of a new fashion industry so they have to be worn and create a discussion. If they are high-end fashion they will not be worn. They have to be stylish over trend followers.

Q. Is Quality and Craftmanship more important than quantity? Paris fashion began with beauty and innovation, rather than “taking inspiration from a stock of borrowed ideas”

So where does this leave me..

A product that is reclaimed and inspired by the existing garments.

Utilizing all the original parts.

Inspired by quality and craftsmanship.