BEHIND THE SCENES

We were at the Jersey Shore last week so I missed writing to you again. It was a work trip because we did a shoot for our next collection, but it sure didn't feel like work! It was a time of connection.

Doing things in community like this help me to really love this work. The conversations, the sense of purpose, and thriving in the creative process due to the environment filled my artistic heart.

The Oceanside collection will be online sometime next week!

These shoots need to be repeated. It was so meaningful to gather a group of women together for 2 days along the beach. Since then, I've already made plans to do more of them. Not the beach per se, but locations and sets that fit each season. We'll be in Lancaster PA in August, and Charlotte NC in January. (If you're a local, please reply for the details)

New students coming our way. I'm interviewing for the Fall semester internships. Lots of personal stories exchanged both ways. Blown away by the awareness of one student who said “every garment is handmade” when talking about ethical labor practices. Loving people in the supply chain. Redeeming lives through fashion, it's possible.

These students have me excited to approach another semester. I guess this means I'll be renewing the lease at our Brooklyn loft. It's a wild move for someone who is financially conservative like me to declare this before my ducks are in a row. I'm living with more risk now that I'm 40 (almost). You only got this life to do the tasks God has for you though, so let's go!

Steph jokes that I want to get rid of her because I keep suggesting she'd be an incredible person to move to Nepal and help Binita. So she'll be surprised (I hope) to see this dedicated to her. She was our production director for our shoot and made it so seamless that I could focus entirely on the art. Steph has been helping me with many things all this summer, and such a blessing. It truly feels like a gift for business owners when they have a Steph on their team. I'm not burning out, thanks to her.

I'm going to put it out there that Steph is single, since I actually do want to keep her here. Steph is not an American so her visa is up in the air, but if her dream to become a wife and mom could come true, we don't have that issue anymore if he happens to be American. I'd like to request that you send qualified bachelors to NYC to meet her. She has a heart of gold, a servant heart, and a lot of integrity. Highly recommend.

In all seriousness though, we're setting our highest sales goal ever (like ever ever) in a month for July. It would secure all we need for another year of our office in Brooklyn, and for a special vision I have for Nepal that is slowly coming together. 

I believe if we get the collection launched on July 1st, it will kick off the month strong. Our volunteer team who saw the preview of it are really blown away by the new collection, so hoping you will feel the same. 

For the second half of July, I'll be on my Sabbatical to focus on our nonprofit each morning.  Walking by the cows, and gathering eggs from the chicken coop. Sounds like a great way to take a break from the business side of Elegantees to build a ministry and fundraising plan.

So much hope for the future!

With Joy,

Katie