Dearest Friends,

I need your help in spreading the word about my kickstarter campaign! What is kickstarter you ask? It’s an awesome platform for creative individuals & companies to raise money. The awesome part is that you get rewards (see below) for helping me out! The catch is that the funding is all or nothing… meaning if I come up one dollar short of my goal by Nov. 23rd I don’t get the money and you don’t get your rewards.

Why I’m raising money: I would love for my clothing to be in more boutiques across the country; I know YOU would love to find my clothing in more boutiques across the country. To make this happen I need to take my line to a wholesale tradeshow! Boutique owners and buyers attend tradeshows every year to scout out new designers and buy for their shops. Unfortunately participating in these shows is cost prohibitive for smaller brands like mine, at most shows the booth fee alone starts at about $6000.

THE REWARDS: Okay now for the fun stuff! In exchange for your donations on kickstarter I’m offering some great rewards. If there is anything you want and don’t see below, email me! I can always add new reward levels.

• $1 shout outs on twitter & facebook
• $10 admission to my top secret mailing list and sneak previews of the Fall 2011 collection
• $25 your very own hand drawn fashion illustration. Each one will be unique.
• $50 a customized fashion illustration of  you or a loved one (a great holiday gift for girlfriends, BFFs, daughters, neices, or yourself!)
• $100 all of the above plus one of our cummerbund belts
• $250 pre-order any garment of your choice from my spring 2011 collection + all of the above
• $500 have a garment named in your honor + 2 garments of your choice
• $1000 VIP experience! I will custom create a garment just for you, document it’s creation, and blog about it.

Even if you can’t donate yourself, your blogging/tweeting/facebooking is very appreciated and an essential part of helping me meet my goal!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/830040389/send-jesica-milton-to-a-nyc-trade-show?ref=category

Boy have things been busy around here! I have a few more fun posts & announcements coming soon but in the meantime… enjoy some of our latest blog love.

Indian Style blogger Arushi of Fab Blab wearing our lace back shirt.

Jordana of Clutch 22 looking adorable in the Hidden Pocket Skirt.

Birdie is crushing on the Sweetheart Dress, thanks Birdie!

I’ve got some great news for my Manhattan customers! You can now try on my clothing and buy it in person rather than online only. A few spring styles are now selling at Albertine in the west village.

If you are in the neighborhood please stop in and browse around. I’ve never visited in person but a few little birdies tell me that the shop is FABULOUS. They carry a great mix of smaller labels, cult favorites, and I hear there’s even some vintage jewelry in the mix.

Albertine
13 Christopher Street
New York City

I am so in love with my Fall 2010 look book photos that I couldn’t resist posting them to my website today. Aren’t they great? Kari did such a great job capturing the mood I was going for. If the settings look familiar, they are the same locations you saw in my mini film… I shot the video footage during this shoot.  We only used 4 outfits total for these, so they are a nice preview of the collection without giving away too much.

Also – check out what was going on behind the scenes!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photographer – Kari Pearson

Hair & Makeup – Lindsey Watkins

Stylist – Osiris Navarro

Models – Naomi & Joanne @ Heffner

Behind the Scenes video by – April Brimmer

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check out the video I put together of our Fall 2010 collection. I had so much fun filming and editing this!

I honestly didn’t have much (okay – any) time to properly plan this out. I basically brought a camera along to my look book shoot with Kari Pearson and tried to capture some moments throughout the day. It was really creatively fulfilling trying to make sense of my video clip madness in the editing software… I think I’ve found a new hobby, not that I need one! Expect to see some longer films for future collections.

Buyers & Press – please contact info@jesicamilton.com if you would like the password to access the wholesale section of jesicamilton.com.

Just for kicks, I thought I would post a mood board of some of my inspirations for the spring 2010 collection. This was actually a really straightforward collection. I pondered a lot about what I wanted to wear for spring & summer, and I was really inspired by my print… which I interpret as looking like ink falling into water.

Right now I’m busy prepping for the Fall 2010 look book photo shoot. I have an absolutely AMAZING team working with me on this one and I can’t wait to share all the details with you! Expect some behind the scenes posts coming soon, and maybe even some… video?!

On a much heavier note, please send your kindest thoughts and wishes to the family of Alexander (Lee) McQueen. The world will be a duller place without his genius, imagination, and talent. Rest in peace.

Photo courtesy of Stanton James

It’s been way too long since I’ve last posted. One of my new year’s resolutions this year is to keep the blog fresh & updated with juicy behind the scenes tid bits for you… I’m not doing a very good job so far am I? I’ve been hard at work on the samples of the Fall/Winter 2010 season. Expect some storyboard posts and studio snapshots to come soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to announce that the Spring 2010 collection has been shipped out and just went live on Stanton James! Despite the fact that it’s still chilly in most parts of the country, spring clothing is here. For those who don’t want to wait for the warm weather, I do design most of my pieces to be seasonless… all of these are great for layering.

Due to popular demand, SPUN and I are holding a fabulous shopping event next week at the Hotel Max! We will be serving wine and snacks, so stop by for a fun evening and “shop & chill.” As you Seattle ladies know, Jesica Milton is not yet carried at any NW boutiques, so if you aren’t an online shopper here is your chance to come see the collection in person. Also, if you aren’t familiar with SPUN, you will be an instant fan… I live in the tanks & tees.

We will both be selling our fall 09 collections with special discounts for our loyal Seattle clients, as well as offering a spring 2010 preview. In addition to that I will be unveiling some statement making headbands for you stylish ladies to sport to all of your upcoming holiday parties. (If you can’t make it, email me… my studio is always open by appointment)

SHOP & CHILL

Wednesday, November 18th

5:00PM – 8:30PM

Hotel Max

620 Stewart Street – Room 916

Seattle, WA 98101

Check out Jordana’s article on the making of my Jordie Dress. She’s got a great slideshow of the whole process from concept to completion. This piece is a real showstopper and was featured as the finale look of my PFW show.

It would make a killer holiday party dress, and it’s available now for purchase HERE.