Some of you may know that I have opened up a new online/traveling boutique. For those who don’t, heres a quick blurb about it..
Late last year I decided to go in to business with one of my great friends, thus Beyond the Tag was born. BTT is a men & women’s boutique which features products from lesser known brands and local designers. Since we have yet to find the perfect location for our little shop you can only find us online (www.beyondthetag.com) and at local shopping events.
Now that that is out the way..lets get back to the subject at hand.
The Designer (Leondra Renee)
Being a designer is great but can be really stressful and overwhelming at times. Especially if your funding it without the help of investors or loans. Now don’t get me wrong I love being a designer, I mean who doesn’t like seeing their creations being worn? But somedays I just feel like throwing in the towel. There is so much competition from other up and coming designers, chain stores like H & M and Forever 21 (grits teeth), and what I like to call “Fashion Stores” which are those random stores that have super cheap cheap cheap crap quality clothing that we all have purchased from (eyes rolling) how in the world can designer survive? Especially being a designer in LA. EVERYONE IS A DESIGNER..specifically a jewelry designer. Then you have the fun tasks of dealing with manufactures, production issues, and deadlines. It just gets really hard out here for the little guys when your trying to produce quality products at a decent rate and companies want to price gauge because they feel your minimums aren’t worth their time or that your willing to pay any price they offer. With all these obstacles I understand why business would rather just buy and resell.
The Buyer (Beyond the Tag)
Since Ive officially become a buyer I have less to worry about. All I need to think about is what our budget is and what products are missing for our shop. No stress right?? Guess again. Now that Im on the buying in I get to deal with the wonder tasks of vendors delivery dates, products being out of stock, designs being cancelled, sizing issues, and trying to find quality products at a decent price. The only good part about being a buyer is you don’t have to worry about half the things designers need to. Everything you supply is ready to go. Though being a buyer is fun & a little easier at times, I just can’t seem to find exactly what Im looking for. I guess you can say its the designer in me always wanting to be the creator of products.
With all the obstacles designers go through I can’t seem to quit. I think the record has been set with the number of times I have thrown in the towel and picked it up again. Ive come to realization that I will never being happy just being a boutique owner. Creating is inside me and putting a cap on that just won’t do. I know this life is going to be crazy & hectic at times but hey I think we all need the excitement to keep life interesting. Overall its a crazy playing both rolls in this world of fashion. I really like being a designer but I think I am beginning to enjoy being a designer and a buyer.
***Lee
