Fabric Sampling & Creating Clothes to "Drool" Over

My family and I recently took a trip to Northern California to visit my in-laws, and while we were there, my husband and I got to leave our kids overnight with the grandparents for a couple's night away in San Francisco. It was a lovely time to have some alone time together since having two babies.

A bucket list item of mine in SF was to visit the French clothing store Sezáne, to finally see the beautiful brand in person that makes me drool online when I scroll through it. 

I've honestly never paid $130 for a skirt before that day, nor have I ever previously been convinced that a higher price tag would actually deliver a better quality garment, (having experienced much by way psychological tactics of luxury marketing being the metrics of fashion goods' pricing), however I wasn't disappointed. 

Now I truly know why paying a bit more for something that was made to last is the least foolish thing in the world to do. Plus, the level of comfort that comes with wearing something tailor-made to fit the female body rather than something sewn in the shape of a box and sold in every fast fashion marketplace... obviously I make the case that there is a huge difference in user experience. I'm proud to say that I've learned that yes, if you pick and choose carefully, there are definitely still brands out there that deliver amazing quality to justify a higher price tag.

Who can be disappointed with the French and their staunch clinging to tradition and quality, and refusal to cheapen their timeless elegance? I have learned that this is the only way that I will be able to manufacture, only American style! :) 

Even if it means I and others can't afford to buy new clothes very often, my closest friends have confirmed it for me-- they would rather Real Atelier Co.'s clothes be a slight bit more money if it means the quality is top notch, on par with Sezáne or another favorite brand that delivers. 

I want that for women, for moms. I want there to be a reliable and timeless brand out there for moms with clothes that can adjust to your body so that you don't have to make an even more expensive investment of multiple wardrobes for pregnancy and postpartum. 

 Shopping at Sezáne and bringinghome three new "forever" pieces (I mean, hopefully "forever" means a very long time in my closet!) reinforces the drive I have for my clothing brand to also end up in that sweet spot: wedged between aesthetically gorgeous, quality clothes that make you drool when you see the catalog, and at a price point that most women (moms on a budget especially) find doable, especially in light of the principal of "buy once, buy well."

I'll be completely transparent. I'm still quite a novice at all of this. I've selected my first woven fabric, and my first knit fabric, I have my designs sketched out, and I have my patterns for the first garments too. But now I need an expert seamstress or two to tell me if my designs are even going to work with the fabrics I've chosen. It is a humble, beautiful journey of micro steps to success, with me learning how to enter the fashion industry, become well-versed in the mysterious art of sewing, and create a memorable brand that blows up the Internet because it's the brand of dreams for expecting mamas.

There is no such thing as a perfect capsule wardrobe. I once set out to create a minimal wardrobe that could fulfill my every want for clothes only to find that for a heart that loves fashion, but of course I learned that you can never have enough when you love your clothes like you love art. However, when you finally get to the point of having that dream dress, that lovely skirt, your much longed for pair of trousers in your closet, and a favorite coat that's been on your wish list, you're pretty darn satisfied and excited to get dressed. You find new ways to wear your combinations, and you exude confidence because youlive into your style.

Not every one of the Real Atelier Co. mamas will be a fashionista, and that's okay. However, everyone who joins the community, every single woman who becomes the first ambassadors of the brand by showcasing it in real life will be part of the vision to come fully alive in the season of maternity, to find peace and joy by having one less thing to worry about when it comes to what to wear while they're busy bringing beautiful babies into the world. You who join me, who witness and encourage me through the proverbial blood, sweat and tears that come with building this brand brick by brick will join me in the revolution to bring back global awareness of the sacredness of woman as mother.