I am officially obsessed with The Laundress! Gwen and Lindsey are incredible! And you should smell and use their products. I was just introduced to their line, and I am in love. The smells and the quality are just insane. I am in love with the Wool and Cashmere Shampoo and the Le Labo Rose Signature Detergent. I can't even wait to use the Baby Detergent when the little girl is born!
I didn't even know that I could hand wash my silk tops and dresses and my wool and cashmere clothes. I thought everything had to go the dry-cleaner!!!
Ladies, I am super excited to get to know you and use your awesome laundry products!
LINDSEYBELLE: I was so excited to hear that you both went to Cornell like I did! Small world! I know that you both were educated in Fiber Science, Textile and Apparel Management and Design at Cornell. So you really used your education when creating this business. What was your favorite/most useful class at school?
GWEN & LINDSEY: We loved Fibers, Fabrics and Finishes and DEA 1110, Making a Difference by Design. And we have a mentor at Cornell: Kay Obendorf. She guided us through resourcing so much as we learned the science of detergent. We started from scratch when we developed The Laundress products and really loved having her as a mentor.
LB: How did your past lead you to develop The Laundress?
G&L: We started developing the company in 2002 and launched in 2004. Gwen was working working at Ralph Lauren, and I worked at Chanel when we thought of the idea. We had always wanted to start a company together since Cornell. We are both product junkies, and we have traveled around and never found a product to care for tweed, cashmere, and fine materials etc. The dry-cleaner was ruining everything we had. So we decided to start The Laundress. Our first client was Bergdorfs at the very beginning!
LB: I know that working with a business partner that you love is awesome! And it makes a huge difference. What qualities do you love most about each other and how do you complement each other?
L: I love Gwen's sense of taste, design and creativity. Our vision is similar 100% of the time. We appreciate the same things, and we agree on the major issues. The best thing is that we have complementary skill sets. Gwen is more focused on the production/creative side, and I am better with the analytical aspects of the business (accounting, sales, reporting, etc).
G: I love that Lindsey is focused, polished, organized and is great at public speaking. In order to work as a team, you really need to have different skills so that you can both contribute your strengths to the business.
LB: What advice do you have for people starting their own companies?
L&G: Be organized! And really focus on doing a proper business plan for your company. And then be able to execute on your ideas from the plan.
LB: What was the biggest mistake that you ever made and what did you learn?
L&G: We have made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot along the way. I think I would definitely say that people should focus on really developing a strong backend for bookkeeping and accounting. If it isn't done properly from the beginning, it takes awhile to get it all straightened out.
LB: What is your favorite Laundress product?
L: The Bleach Alternative. It has so many uses: home cleaning, laundry, and dishes. As a mom, I like to use safe non-bleach products on the floors and tubs. This product is perfect.
G: The Stain Solution! It gets everything out. Coffee. Wine. Pit stains.
LB: What is your favorite tip for removing stains?
L&G: Carry the Wash and Stain Bars with you in your purse. You can blot it on if you spill something on the go. And for deodorant stains, rub the fabric on itself. Don't try to use water or anything else to remove it. Just rubbing fabric to fabric will remove the white deodorant stain.
LB: I love nail polish and am constantly changing colors. What is your favorite polish color?
G: Wicked (Essie) in the winter
L: Luxito by Essie.
LB: You have done really well with The Laundress. You have collaborations currently with J. Crew and Le Labo! You sell all over the world. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
G&L: We think that making it past the 5 year mark has been awesome! We love when customers rave about our products and service. We have amazing employees. We do a lot of traveling for our international business. Our collaborations are amazing. We are so lucky to be doing what we love! Every little thing is a great accomplishment for us!
LB: What is your guilty pleasure?
G: Chelsea Handler!
L: Designer handbags.
Thank you so much for such an awesome time. I had fun watching you blow bubbles and clean up Central Park with The Laundress products! ;) You are awesome!
2 comments so far
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Meet Megan Evans, the gorgeous lady (aka Kate Hudson lookalike) behind The Well Coiffed Closet. Megan is THE closet guru. And the everyday person's stylist. I adore Megan and hope that everyone that needs help with their closets and personal styling will reach out to Megan. She has helped me so much with my closet. It's crazy!
LINDSEYBELLE: Why did you decide to start The Well Coiffed Closet?
Megan Evans: It is so important to do something that you are passionate about. I am a Virgo and super organized. I have an eye for color, and I am good with style and putting pieces together. I started out by helping friends and family with their closets and everyone kept saying: "you need to do this full time." So many people acquire so much stuff in their closets. And this is really a niche that I can fill because I love it so much and there aren't very many people in the market helping people get organized. I tailor my services to people's needs and keep myself affordable. I want everyone to be able to have a stylist help them organize their wardrobes. I did it for fun and then turned it into my business. I feel blessed everyday.
LB: What are some of the things that you help people do?
ME: I help people organize their work/personal clothes. I style people for events or parties. I organize their closets so they feel like they are shopping in their own closets. No more mess. No more crammed closets with clothes people haven't worn for years. The vision for my company is to find new ways to help people wear what they already own. And as we go through the closet, I love to give them a list of essentials for the season or things that I think they are missing in their closets. One of my favorite things that I do as we go through the closet is to put together outfits for people. I create a look book for people so if they can't figure out to wear, they can quickly go through a book of their own clothes!
LB: That's so cool. The lookbooks are amazing! What a unique thing to offer. Tell us a little more about your process. I truly admire your skills. I am hopeless when it comes to my closet (except I am getting better with your help!).
ME: Step 1: We edit-out your closet. We go through all of your clothes and put them into piles (alteration, good will, keep, dry-cleaning, etc).
Step 2: I have you try on clothes in the 'keep' pile.
Step 3: I switch out all of your hangers to slimline hangers.
Step 4: I keep notes as we go of all of the pieces that go together and things you might need
Step 5: I organize the closet by season/color/type of piece
Step 6: I create the look book.
Step 7: Personal shopping for items that you may be missing or that you want!
LB: What advice can you give to people starting out in business?
ME: Don't overextend yourself. I was working two jobs when I first started this business. It is important to keep the balance because when you start your own business you work a lot!
LB: What makes you different?
ME: My look books definitely distinguish me from other closet people. And my approach to closets is very real. I tailor everything to my clients needs and work with all different types of people with different needs and different budgets.
LB: What's your guilty pleasure?
ME: Cupcakes. I live near a cupcake place... So it's hard. ;)
LB: Favorite coffee table book?
ME: Blahnik by Boman
LB: Where do you get your styling inspiration?
ME: Magazines (Real Simple is an awesome one for closet organization tips and ideas). Shopstyle.com. Vogue. O Magazine.
LB: Favorite designers?
ME: Comptoir des Cotonniers. Helmut Lang. Theory. AG Jeans. Arza Design.
LB: Fall/winter trends?
ME: Trousers. Pattern mixing. Leather. Bold colors. Wedge boots.
LB: Awesome! Thanks my dear.
Go on. Shop your closet!
1 comments so far
Megan Evans says:
LOVE it Linds. Thanks so much for the post. I had amazing time working with you.
(11.30.11 @ 01:14 PM)
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Can I just start by saying GO LOOK AT MARYSIA'S SWIMWEAR! Her line is ridiculously beautiful. And so unique. I have never seen anything like it.
Marysia and I had so much fun on this shoot. It was quite ridiculous, actually. Lots of jumping. Whipping her hair back and forth. And laughing. I love this girl. She is super fun. And did I mention her swimsuits? Oh yeah, I did. They are the best!! ;)
LINDSEYBELLE: How did you know you wanted to start a swimwear company?
Marysia Reeves: I had a professor in fashion school that told us to really narrow down our interests and focus on what we wanted to do. Since I had been in ballet for so long and I was a lifeguard, I felt like I spent my entire life in a leotard or a bathing suit. I also majored in exercise physiology before fashion school, so I know a lot about the body and movement and thought that swimwear was the perfect place to start. And even more importantly, there was a void in the swimwear industry. Most swimsuits are sporty, and I wanted to create something that involved a lot more fashion design.
LB: I am in love with your suits. If people reading this blog were to invest in just one suit, which one would you recommend?
MR: The Antibes from my new collection. It comes in black and white and is a classic. You can't go wrong.
LB: I think I want one of each from your new collection! I can't decide.
LB: How do you recommend that I keep my suits clean and make them last longer?
MR: The Laundress swimwear cleaner. It's amazing!
LB: If you were to give a piece of advice to someone starting out in business, what would you recommend?
MR: Definitely go work for someone else first. You will learn a lot. And make sure you work for someone that you look up to in your industry. I didn't work for someone else first and I had to make mistakes and learn the hard way sometimes.
LB: What was the biggest mistake you made that you really learned from?
MR: The first year in business, I ordered product without having any client orders. I was naive and went with the only thing I knew. I learned that I can negotiate and find different sources for fabric and production. There are a lot of companies out there that are willing to work with you and be flexible.
LB: What book would recommend people read who are starting their own fashion business?
MR: The Fashion Designer Survival Guide by Mary Gehlhar. It's a great book for those starting out.
LB: What has been your biggest accomplishment?
MR: I guess I would have to say that having one of my suits on the cover of Shape Magazine was pretty cool.
LB: Favorite daily blog reads?
MR: Garance Dore and Man Repeller.
LB: Where do you get your inspiration for your suits?
MR: Everywhere. Seriously, I get a lot of ideas from resorts and summery vacation spots, but often I get my inspiration from random places.
LB: Favorite nailpolish?
MR: Bubble Bath by OPI. I just got the Chanel Black Pearl polish. It is awesome!
LB: Who do you admire most?
MR: Wen Zhou, the CFO of Phillip Lim. I love that she is such a savvy business woman. She told me a great piece of advice that I will never forget. Stick to your ideas. You are doing this fashion business for your life, not to make a few quick bucks. So be patient and stick to what you want to do to create a long term business.
LB: What can't you live without?
MR: My family.
LB: Speaking of your family, how do you manage making time for your daughter, Elle, and balancing home and work life since both you and your husband, Nathaniel, work together?
MR: It's crazy. But we make it work. We spend a lot of time together, but Nathaniel and I make time for date nights, and we do a lot of family vacations to the beach together.
LB: Favorite NYC restaurant?
MR: Omai. Amazing Vietnamese food.
LB: Favorite dessert?
MR: Pistachio Macaroons from La Duree. I am so excited that they have a store in NYC now!
P.P.S. Check out Marysia's new collection!
5 comments so far
Marysia Reeves says:
Thank you so much Lindsey! You are a sensation! A talented sensation and so easy and fun to model for:) It was a breeze! XOXOXOXOXO
(10.12.11 @ 06:33 PM)
Chassity says:
Fabulous interview! Great girl, great questions, great pics. xoxo
(10.12.11 @ 08:34 PM)
Shy says:
Love the sneakers!
(10.12.11 @ 09:15 PM)
Brenda Kinder says:
Wonderful pictures of Marysia Lindsey - love the dress.
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October 5, 2011
I am not sure how many people know this, but I am a HUGE letter writer. I have always written letters back and forth with friends around the world. It makes my day to see a handwritten envelope in the mail. As you can imagine, I am in love with stationary and cards. I can't get enough of them.
When I first moved to New York, I came across some especially gorgeous cards with little animals and glitter on the front with cute sayings. When I turned the cards over, I saw that they were made in Vancouver by a company called FLAUNT. My home town. Cool cards. I was in love. And I think I probably bought the store out right then and there!
Meet Shannon, the founder of FLAUNT cards, my favorite cards in the world. I was super excited to meet Shannon and find out more about her incredible company. We met in Vancouver on the beach early in the morning to talk cards and to enjoy the incredible scenery. Shannon is amazing; she is bubbly, kind, fun, passionate, and creative. The moment I met her, I knew she was special.
LINDSEYBELLE: FLAUNT is very unique from other cards. How did you get the idea to start FLAUNT?
Shannon Barnes: I fell into it really. I was working in Marketing/Consulting and I started making a few card designs. A shop in Vancouver took a look at my cards and started carrying them. Within a week I was picked up by a distributor, and then I got some neat press in InStyle and Martha Stewart magazines.
LB: What advice would you give to business owners to be successful?
SB: Stay true to what it is that you are selling and to yourself. And treat people well. I think being able to delegate to great people that you can trust makes such an impact. Focus on what you do best and delegate the rest.
LB: What is the biggest risk you have taken with your business?
SB: At one point, I decided to branch out a little and add gift bags to the FLAUNT business. I ordered the bags and invested money, and they really didn't sell well. I learned so much from that. Don't fix it if it isn't broken. And focus on the one thing that you are good at. Sometimes there is no need to keep branching out. Taking risks is often great education.
LB: With FLAUNT's whirlwind success, how do you feel?
SB: Excited! Suprised! I came from a very corporate world and people always think that it is impossible to make money doing art (and something that you love). I love being able to combine my business and artistic sides.
LB: Where do you get the inspiration for the adorable animals, designs, and saying on your cards?
SB: Hanging out with my kids. And children's books. The illustrations in the books give me a lot of inspiration. And of course magazines. I love fashion and I use the colors that I see in fashion on my cards.
LB: What is your favorite kids book?
SB: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
LB: What kind of qualities do you admire most in other people?
SB: I admire people who do what they say they are going to do. And I love people that don't sweat the small stuff. And people that think outside the box.
LB: How would you say you live your life?
SB: If you don't do it and enjoy it, someone else will. I really put my heart into things and am so lucky to be doing something I love. I love taking care of people. And I believe that if you are a good person, good things come back to you.
LB: I know you have two little girls and a husband. How do you balance being a mom, a wife, and an entrepreneur?
SB: I love working and showing my girls that I still have my own identity. I think it is very important to do something you love and balance it with family life. I work four mornings a week and have a nanny come then. And often the girls will sit and watch me work and play with the glitter and the glue. I like to get them involved. My husband makes his own hours with his job too so we can really be flexible. We love to work hard and we love to travel!
LB: What is your favorite place to travel with your family?
SB: Our favorite place is Villefranche in France. We also love Monaco and Nice. We really love to travel, so we make time to travel with the family.
LB: I love nailpolish, so I have to ask this question. What is your go to polish color?
SB: Bright red.
LB: What is your favorite card?
SB: My cards with the owls on them. Those were some of my first designs and my best sellers. Owls are so wise, sophisticated, and cute.
LB: Guilty pleasure?
SB: Red wine and chocolate!!
Go check out FLAUNT cards, they are seriously the coolest! Thank you so much Shannon!!
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July 8, 2011
I started this Pass It On Interview Series a few weeks with DANNIJO. I want to pass along information and fun things about interesting people that are creative and doing incredible in their fashion industries. Everyone should know about these incredible people that I love!
Jane Pope is awesome. She runs a successful jewelry business with two outrageous lines: Jane Pope Jewelry (fine jewelry) and Balboa Jewelry (jewelry with vintage elements). She has dressed celebrities like Sienna Miller, Natalie Portman, and Perry Reeves. Lauren Lail of Library Fashion, Way Way Allen of Blue Chickadee, and Jane have just opened up Novel in Charleston, South Carolina, a fashion collaboration showroom. Jane is doing some pretty amazing things, so make sure to keep watching her!
I have been obsessed with Jane's jewels since I met her. You will NEVER find me without four of her Twig/Seed/Branch bangles on my wrists. I adore them.
Jane Pope: I might think I am shy, but I am really the opposite... I am approachable and have a good sense of humor. If I met myself, I would notice my laugh!
LB: What advice would you give to someone who is starting their own business?
JP: Stay focused on what you are good at. Love what you are doing.
LB: What was your greatest risk in business?
JP: Quitting my other job in retail to go full time. It's hard to make that leap and sustain your lifestyle at first when you aren't being financially supported. But if you work like crazy, put yourself out there, and approach magazines, stores, and shows, it will all work out.
LB: Who do you admire most?
JP: I admire people who can balance work, family, and success without sacrificing anything that they believe. Now that I have a child, this balance has become so important.
LB: What scares you?
JP: Heights. Oh, and interviews and being photographed. [laughs]
LB: What was your biggest fashion mistake?
JP: Oh, that is an easy one! I wore a long mandarin collared tunic with tights. And rubber red loafers. I looked like a waitress at a sushi restaurant. And I wore this outfit to a football game! [laughs]
LB: How would you describe your style?
JP: Relaxed. I love to mix old and new (nothing too trendy). I love vintage clothes. I have a ton. Classic but cool.
LB: Where do you get your inspiration?
JP: I get a lot of my inspiration from travel. And nature. I love patterns in textiles, and I incorporate them in to my designs.
LB: What is your favorite blog to read?
JP: I read a lot of them, but my current favorite is Look Linger Love.
LB: Favorite nail polish?
JP: San Tan Tonio by OPI. I love neutrals. And Barefoot in Barcelona.
LB: Who makes you laugh the most in life?
JP: Carter Hancock. My best friend. We can go on and on and on laughing about nothing for hours. It's awesome.
LB: Favorite music?
JP: Right now I love listening to Etta James on Pandora.
LB: If you could get away right now, where would you go and with who?
JP: I would go to the Raleigh Hotel in Miami and sip prosecco by the pool with my husband.
LB: What's been the most memorable thing in your career?
JP: Definitely my feature in Vogue. That was a dream come true.
LB: If you could dress one celebrity, who would it be?
JP: It's always flattering to bejewel celebrities, but I would most love to see Taylor Tomasi Hill in my designs. Her style is amazing... And I love her hair!
LB: What's a classic Jane Pope Jewelry item that every gal needs in her jewelry chest? And something from your latest line?
JP: My Twig bangles are classic. And lots of them. They are stackable, and you can keep adding to them. And from my current collection, the Xenia earrings.
Jane is wearing: Seedling delicate bracelet, Seed bangle, Twig bangle (with diamonds), and Stick and stone rings. Her earrings are not listed on her website, but you can always contact her to buy some!
2 comments so far
Chassity says:
Where to begin... Great interview (and questions!), gorgeous subject, beautiful jewelry- I'm now completely obsessing over the twig bangles. Lindsey, thank you for the email "alert"! Your photographs are beautiful. And Jane, I'm so incredibly honored to be mentioned in this post. Thank you.
(07.08.11 @ 01:57 PM)
marysia says:
Beautiful girl and jewelry...love the bracelets combo. I'm a lucky girl with 3 twig bangels but I think it's time to add on:)
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June 17, 2011
I thought it would be fun to photograph and interview entrepreneurs and people that inspire me. So I photographed Danielle and Jodie of the incredibly fashionable jewelry line DANNIJO. They are superstars. And super close sisters. They started out in NY working at other fashion companies, but eventually came together to create punk rock/indie hipster/classic/whimsical jewelry statement pieces. I am so in love with their art (in the rotating banner above, you can see me wearing their necklace)!
LINDSEYBELLE: If you met yourself at a party, what would you think of yourself?
DANIELLE: This is a hard one... Approachable. Funny. That I like to have a good time. Sortof low key.
JODIE: That I am more reserved than I really am. It takes me a second to warm up.
L: Speaking of parties, what's better than a DANNIJO arm party?
D: Nothing [laughs]
J: A Dannijo arm party on vacation!
D: Haha! Yes, perfect!
L: What scares you?
D: Rodents.
J: Flying. And sometimes change. Change is scary, but makes you a better person. It is important to push yourself.
L: Where do you get your inspiration?
D: Lots of different places. Jodie and I have different styles. I am more bohemian rock and roll and Jodie is more classic. So it's fun to combine our two styles. Actually our parents were art collectors and our dad collects watches, so we were always fascinated with art and accessories growing up. We take a lot of inspiration from different cultures, photographs, old movies, and music. We don't follow trending reports. We make pieces that we would want to wear. And we go with it.
L: Your dad is a doctor and I read that you found your dad's medical tool kit when you were teenagers and you learned how to do wire work. Thus the start of your jewelry making skills! Very cool.
L: I know you were fearless when you first talked to Bergdorfs. You didn't take "no, not right now" for an answer. You kept pushing and got in the door. If you could give one piece of advice for people starting their own business, what would it be?
DJ: Don't live in fear. Surround yourself with loyal friends and family. You need a support group to keep you motivated. Danielle and I are lucky to have each other.
L: You two are part of the Summit Series conference. Why do you think it is so important to attend conventions and conferences in industries other than your own?
DJ: If you only stay in your industry and meet people who do the same thing as you, you never get new ideas. The best entrepreneurs can take broad ideas (whether it is in tech or elsewhere) and apply it to their own business. It's fun to meet people in other industries too.
L: Danni, we are wearing the same nail polish today! Ha! What are your favorite nail polish colors?
J: For everyday, I love one coat of Ballet Slippers and one coat of Mademoiselle. For red, I love Lollipop.
D: In love with Lapis of Luxury today! But my favorite go-to polishes are Potato Fields and Mademoiselle. All Essie of course!
L: I love to laugh. What makes you laugh like crazy?
J: Danni and Leandra Medine
D: Kristen Wiig. Anything by Kristen Wiig. Have you seen The Surprise Party skit on SNL?
L: No, I am going to watch it right after this. (fyi: WATCH IT NOW.)
D: It is the funniest thing ever. Oh yeah and Eddie Berrang makes me laugh.
L: What's something that no one knows about you?
D: That I used to be a pole vaulter.
J: That I am a huge sports fan. Football is my favorite.
L: Who do you admire most and why?
D: My parents. They have been married for 30 years and are madly in love still. They are so selfless. They are the best parents ever, and I am inspired by everything that they do.
J: My parents and Natalie Morales. I love that she balances her career, her marriage and her 2 kids. She is amazing and intelligent. Oh and Ralph Lauren. And Steve Jobs.
D: And of course Kristen Wiig.
L: What song makes you want to whip your hair back and forth?
D: Right now, I am loving Young Blood Chiddy Bang Remix. And of course Michael Jackson.
J: In for the Kill, by La Roux. And Kiss by Prince. That's a classic.
L: What is a classic DANNIJO piece that every girl should have in their jewelry drawer?
DJ: Jacinda ring for sure. And the Kalbarri bib necklace.
L: And what from your current collection is a must have?
Thanks ladies! Now off to our shoot. Note: remember that 98 degree weather that we had in NYC? Well, we photographed these that day!
Danielle is wearing: Tan shoes by miu miu, cut-off white shorts and black tank, Neha bag, Persol shades, JJ hat
Danielle's jewels: Doma cuff, Friendship bracelets, Zuma cuff, Dana bracelets, Paradis necklace (all DANNIJO)
Jodie is wearing: Denim shoes by Prada, Anthropologie shirt and Gryphon skirt.
5 comments so far
Shy says:
Nice pictures!
(06.17.11 @ 07:31 PM)
Shy says:
Nice pictures!
(06.17.11 @ 07:32 PM)
whitney schey says:
wow. the colors and life in this shoot are so surreal. i am in love! fab work.
(06.21.11 @ 11:26 PM)
whitney schey says:
wow. the colors and life in this shoot are so surreal. i am in love! fab work.
(06.21.11 @ 11:27 PM)
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omg i love it! those pictures on the bench are my fav! fabulous job Lindsey!!!
(12.14.11 @ 03:20 PM)Awesome photos! Really captures the spirit their line; so fresh and forward thinking.
(12.15.11 @ 11:44 AM)