A Fresh Start

To say 2011 and 2012 was a wild ride is an understatement. At some point about a year ago, it became apparent to me that the shop was going to have to close. My dream for the shop was always that it would be a design lab of sorts. A place where myself and other aspiring designers could test the waters with their garments in a laid back way. Instead of having to focus on quickly/cheaply manufacturing goods, I wanted the design and sewing process to remain as art for art's sake. Vintage was my first love and it was my hope that  it would provide the bread and butter to support the creative/studio aspect of the shop. We got great press, met some super talented designers , started our own refashion line,  had killer events and put those gorgeous windows to good use.  At the end of the day, be it the economy, the location or the fact that I didn't have the resources to leave my day job and give my full attention to the shop/or afford enough staff to do so, it had to close. 

They say timing and location is everything in retail and sometimes you only get one shot at these things. I loved the shop and it's customers. It was supported by some amazing people who gave it their best. We had a dynamic, creative beautiful space for three years. And for that I applaud all our customers and our great staff and all the innovators involved. 

The shop closed in July. In June I got married and in August my partner and I bought a little urban fixer upper in Boston's Roslindale neighborhood. The creative opportunities have been massive, overwhelming and really fun. Dame moved into the garage and then up into the attic. The one thing that I never got to do while running the shop was actually sew. The house has given me the opportunity to set up a sewing studio and I became a contributing member to the Sew Weekly  sewing blog. Admittedly I haven't completed one garment for them yet, but I am 80% done with my first blouse. 

I've come to realize that I'm overwhelmed with creative clutter and it's time to clean house. Dame was the creative culmination of years of plotting and scheming business models and they are all kind of hanging around like one big loose end. I've had 'set up the online shop' on the to-do list for months now and that just seems like an onerous tedious project, when I'd rather be setting up the garden or building a chicken coop or sewing myself some pants. So it's time to sell, and get that Vintage out. I'm going to strip down Dame and all the creative noise, and see what's left for us. March is the perfect season for pruning. 

Check out our market schedule here, we are thrilled to cross the river for the first time!