Since I have been on a sabbatical this year from Red Gingko, I have been thinking a lot about the future of Red Gingko.  I enjoy designing the Red gingko collection and I sell my hand-embroidered jackets at high-end art fairs throughout the year.  However, I am not a natural sales person.  I would like to move the business away from retail. Ultimately, Red Gingko’s mission is to help create job opportunities for women artisans in Southwestern China.  So, I would like to transition the business into a commission based handcrafted embroidery service for other designers.

I am thrilled to report that I have a feature article about Red Gingko in the Nov/Dec issue of Belle Armoire magazine.  The article talks about the evolution of Red Gingko from its humble beginnings in 2003.  You can find Belle Armoire magazine at Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and craft stores like Michaels and JoAnns.  Please go to http://www.stampington.com/html/ba_nd09.html for details on the Nov/Dec Belle Armoire Issue.

My chronicles reflect my experiences starting a cottage industry in a remote part of China and my experiences as a very small producer.  When in China, I live as the Chinese do in order to keep my expenses down.  This means that I eat with taxi cab drivers at local lunch spots, I claw my way through public transportation, and I am treated as a Chinese woman who acts and dresses strangely compared to the locals.

I've come back from a long hard month in China.  I'm happy to report that I have a few amazing articles that I think people will really enjoy. 

One of my favorite pieces from my new collection is a wool felt coat.  Before you roll your eyes and click on another link, it is a relatively light weight coat since it is not lined. 

What makes this coat so special is the gorgeous handcrafted buttons on the front.  I commissioned a Miao hill tribe silversmith in Southwestern China to make buttons out of earrings he makes for the local economy.  I think it looks absolutely fabulous.  I hope you do to.  The cut is Asian so there are no shoulder seams.  And the low mandarin collar is meant to rest organically on the collar bone, loose and somewhat wavy. 
I've also brought back some miao silversmith accessories.  Look for the dragon linked bracelet and the handcrafted belt. 

I think one of the most important design elements of a top is its neckline.  So, you can expect that my 2008 line will have some more unusual necklines.  You can still expect to see mandarin collars, but some with a twist, and asymmetric necklines that I find Irresistible.  The future of 2008 should see a lot of color as well. 

It was a thrill to be apart of the Celebration of Craftswomen Fair. I was amazed to see a crowd of shoppers 100 strong waiting to come in at 10am when the fair opened its doors on Saturday.  Shoppers were immediately drawn to my playful lantern bags in its multitude of colors.  Ladies crowded into my booth inticed by both my vintage embroidered jackets and the new collection of contemporary jackets.  It was a great weekend.  Thank you all for your support!

Have you ever wondered what its like to be backstage at a fashion show.  Is it really as hectic as Hollywood portrays it?  Let me tell you.... it's worse, but at the end of the night it's all worth it when everyone is congratulating you on a job well done.  This year's CalAsia benefit gala was at the St. Regis Hotel right next to MOMA in downtown San Francisco.  It was a crazy night of last minute fittings and colorful characters.  The models were young (the youngest a mere 14 years old), tall, and beautiful.  My collection was sophisticated and well received.  At the end of the evening, I celebrated with a champagne toast with friends. 
Other Pictures

Since I go to China so frequently, people often ask my advice about the region. So I thought I would share it with everyone.

5 things you need to know before visiting Southwestern China

THE GOOD/ BAD/ UGLY
The good news. If you are Caucasian, you will be pushed to the front of the line in most cases. Locals will smile at you more. They will be generally more polite to you than any of their counterparts. The bad news. Locals will hike up the prices seeing that you are western with money (of course). So, suggest a price that you are comfortable with and stand firm. Bargaining is a way of life in all of Chinese. The initial price offered on the street is always just a starting point. If you are Asian, you can expect the reserve treatment. However, just because you are Asian does not mean that you will get a fair price. It will probably be a bit lower initially, but the end price all depends on how good you are at bargaining.

WHAT TO BRING

In this new line I wanted the focus of each garment to be on the embroidery.  Each jacket is meant to be a blank canvas for intricate embroidery.  The embroidery style is representative of the motives of the Dong hill tribe group from Southwestern China.  The designs are bold and have a strong folk art feel.

I am by no means a slave to fashion.  In fact, you’ll find me in monotone long sleeve shirts and jeans on most days.  However, I do have a certain style.  It’s generally unfettered and stream-lined.  So, this first line is earthy with clean lines.  I used vintage embroideries from the Hill Tribe region of Southwestern China as accent elements on Asian inspired jackets.  The jackets merge Asian elements with modern colors in two tones.   

I began this journey because, like many, I felt unfulfilled by my job.  I was doing work that was satisfying and I was in a position to contribute to society.  Yet, it was not enough.  The way I look at it, someone would have stepped into that same role and filled the duties of that position.  So, I didn’t feel like I was leaving a mark that was truly my own.  I wanted to create something… to build something… but to build it on my own terms, as opposed to refining a project according to someone else’s expectations.  Even though I was t