I’m working through my nerves by showing up everyday. . I went to bed at a respectable hour last night, but ended up working out my anxious energy in the studio before getting to sleep at 2. . It’s not getting easier than 1.5 years ago when I started selling my skirts and skorts at my home show 👆🏻 . But I’m working through my nerves by showing up everyday. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #theKATYskirt
Last Fall when I made this snakeskin version of #theAMYskort I put it on with this black tee and was transformed into a confident version of myself. If you’ve ever had that feeling when wearing something, you don’t want to let it go. . That’s what I’m chasing with this business. That feeling. I’m bottling it up in each skirt and sending it to you. . You can find my handmade skirts in St. Louis at @rfhomeco and sign up at the link in my profile for online preorders. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Well, that was weird. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort @hellmannsmayonnaise
I cannot handle these pants. I cannot handle them here. I cannot handle them there. I cannot handle them with these dots. I cannot handle them with no socks. I LOVE THESE PANTS but they are not mine. Which brings me to the end of my rhyme. . HAPPY FIRST DAY BACK TO MEEEEEE! My daughters at school and I only cried once - but no one saw so I’m 👌🏻. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #poppies #flowerskirt #flowerpants #handmadefashion #slowfashionstyle #slowfashion
1 more day before my short assistant goes to 3rd grade and my heart is FULL. My summer was so lovely and I was able to balance work and stay-at-home-momming. . I LOVE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS. Click to purchase my tee. 🥰🙌🏻 maybe there were some moments like earlier today when I was trying to put away laundry in between working and getting school supplies together. I just threw my head back and yelled “I LOVE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS” . My husband answered from his office: “ok, good?” . It’s MY life and MY progress and MY job to own and celebrate it. I’m officially sold out of size L in this tee! But I have all other sizes (they run roomy). Grab one up! It’s the PERFECT time of year to claim ANY progress as success. . I LOVE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS (life) . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
I had a dream recently that I was showing at fashion week. And I used mamas as my models. . I realized when I woke up, that mamas ARE my models. They’re who I think of when I design. Mamas who are lifting and shlepping and questioning (ohhh the questions parenting brings). Constantly denying their needs and not complaining about it bc ohmygoodness it is so worth it, but being unknowingly worn down day by day. THAT’S who I design for. . I want to rebuild and fortify the confidence of those women, so they can raise the best people. . When I receive pictures of ladies in my skirts, and hear that #theAMYskort is making dressing easier, some voice inside of me drowns out my fears with shouts of: I LOVE WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
To be a designer is to simultaneously love and hate what you are wearing. . Every time I put something on that I’ve made, I’m hyper aware of every detail, because I’m always looking to improve my skirt patterns and t-shirt’s. . Combined with my perfectionism it’s so intense some days. 😳🧐🤔🤯🥴 . I wanted to capture this look because I really loved it. . I’m smiling at Olive (my 8 year old) who was trying to get as close as possible while remaining out of the shot. She’s so helpful at lightening the mood. Sometimes I need distracted and snapped out of where I am mentally. Always I need her fashion eye. It’s really good. . My tee is at @rfhomeco in all sizes. 🥰🙌🏻 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
There was a time in our lives when we were so engrossed with what we were doing, we didn’t have time to think about how we looked. . I want to make comfortable, setting appropriate clothes that give us the confidence we need to forget ourselves and live in the moment. . 👆🏻 We spent the last week hiking in the Carolinas. After the first 5 hours in the car today, we rolled into a little bbq place in Kentucky, exhausted. And you know what? Even having slept only 4 hours last night, and being wrinkled from the car, the woman who took our order said she loved my outfit and kept looking over at my skort ( #theAMYskort in chambray, mini length). 😳😭🥰 . And then I thought, ‘maybe I’m doing it’! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I’m celebrating that we made it to Friday by wearing my BRAND NEW FAVORITE EVER #theAMYskort (that really is a skirt). My bestie @mrsemily made it with her own two hands. And it’s 💯 the highest quality thing I own. 🙌🏻 Guys. I turned that puppy inside out and QUALITY is what I saw on every. single. stitch. . . Also I feel happy and cute and me when I’m wearing it. Which after a summer of serving and getting and doing for others (namely my wonderful 👫 kiddos), it feels so nice to feel a little put together. . . I didn’t clean up all the mess in the background from when my daughter spilled chocolate milk on the rug and we had to quickly spray it down. Because well that’s life. I plan on sitting right here on the sofa, in my happy skirt and keep working on my plant ebook - all the while my kids create forts, craft and generally just make all the messes around me. . . This is summer. It makes me a little nutty but wow do I love it. . . . #itsallinthedetails #womeninbusiness #momstyle #empoweringwomen #ABMstyle #buzzfeedstyle #aboutalook #momentsofchic #yougotitright #wearitloveit #asseenonme #bsggrams #albuquerqueblogger #nmblogger #flashesofdelight #thatsdarling #prettylittlethings #myhappypopsofcolor #nothingisordinary #RSlove #smplove #darlingmovement #theinstagramLAB #fashion #momentsofmine #whowhatwearing #dydjuststart #handmadewardrobe #handmadeskirt
This skirt is a dud. Or it was. I made it for a client last year and ended up making a new one in order to get the fit right. . To my surprise it’s been a favorite this summer. On her, the skirt was too full. But on me, it’s perfect. . Now a year later, I have learned enough to see that the skirt wasn’t made incorrectly, but things like hem length and amount of fullness make the difference between a good and a GREAT skirt. . A year ago, the fact my client’s skirt needed remade was evidence of my failure as a designer. Now I can see that I was able to make my client a skirt that fit her smaller frame correctly. . And because of that skirt and dozens of others, I’ve developed my patterns for #theAMYskort to include 3 fullness variations per size and 8 lengths (not to mention the option of skirt vs split skirt or skort). That’s 48 variations of 1 pattern, BEFORE we even talk about the fabric of the skirt. . Some days I feel totally exhausted. 😅 But when I get dressed and pull on a skirt that makes me feel super confident I get so excited that I’m making progress towards my goal of giving women tools to build their confidence. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
We’re in deep summer now. I can’t get enough of lightening bugs and hot sticky days. My schedule of working-stay-at-home mom is made possible by my uniform of #theAMYskort and various crop tops like this one I made by chopping the bottom off a tee. . I plan my wardrobe each season by picking pieces that go together. Then I can run on auto pilot each morning as I dress. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I’ve been sewing every morning - making my way through the gorgeous fabric I brought back with me from New York. This mini turned out amazing. She’s headed to my friend Amy - whom #theAMYskort is named after. . LOTS of skirts and skorts in stock at @rfhomeco if you’re in the St. Louis area! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
My cropped tee and #theAMYskort took me all the way through my (birth)day yesterday. From fabric shopping (hey look, there’s the fabric my skirt is made from!); to lunch and manicures with my birthday twinkie 👯; to fancy dinners with my family. . Thank you so so so much for all the birthday love. It was too much. What a wonderful day. 🥰 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Meet @sewlouise! The beauty that has been helping me sew #theAMYskort . Hi, I’m Louise and I am an industrial garment stitcher! I got started by learning cross-stitch from my grandmother when I was 8. Nobody in my family sews, so I started altering Barbie clothes! I then started altering my thrift store clothes in middle and high school, because we didn't have much money growing up. I would bring magazines on the drive to the thrift store and go in with the trends fresh in my mind, find things very close, and change them. I made all of my dresses for prom every year! When I turned 15, I got my first job at JoAnn Fabrics which was my dream at the time. I took jobs altering clothes for customers outside of work during high school. I also sold diy clothes on eBay before Etsy existed! I tested into a vocational program for sewing, which I took age 16 thru 18. I learned to use industrial machines, then took a sewing test at Disney, failed the first time from nerves, took it again, and worked there for 2 years making uniforms and costumes. I was the youngest ever hired, had the second highest rating for speed/quality in my workroom, and was promoted to Build Room which is the one you see on the Backlot tour. I then managed a vintage clothing store in Florida. There, I learned to restore vintage and sell to productions like Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire. I cleaned, repaired, went on private purchasing trips, and sold at shows in New York to celebrities like Anna Sui and Sofia Coppola. I fell for the city and moved there on a whim. I worked at another vintage store, then sewed bespoke custom clothing at a shop in Park Slope. I then taught classes and managed The Sewing Studio in the garment district. I took a side job helping with NY Fashion Week, and the designer offered me a full time sample seamstress job. I moved to Providence, RI the next month and commuted to Boston. When the fashion house closed, I stayed in Rhode Island I learned to make leather bags with a maker in Boston, sewed snowboarding clothing, and eventually opened my own sewing studio where I met Mrs. Emily.
Starting in January, I’ve been working to scale my business. Which first meant taking all the patterns for #theAMYskort I made last year (custom to women’s sizes) and using them to develop my own size chart and sizes of patterns. Now my skorts and skirts come in 4 sizes: . Small-ish Medium-ish Large-ish Xlarge-ish . I took those patterns and went in search of capable hands to help me sew. . I’m going to introduce you to Louise this week. She’s been helping me sew my skirts. There’s a box of them 👆🏻 arriving from Rhode Island. Every box we ship to one another gets lost in the mail. So we frantically text back and forth and check and recheck the tracking. This past box arrived 20 minutes before I had to leave for my shop in St. Louis (@rfhomeco). So I threw it in the trunk and headed out of town. . I couldn’t be making this leap into selling in a retail location without Louise. She’s freakishly talented and her skill set lines up with my specific needs. It’s really cool to see big things line up like that in my journey. Like a breath of fresh air alongside the panic-inducing grind of many days. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
May your sparklers be plentiful and your waistbands elasticized. LET’S GO USA! 🧨 🌭🌽🍦 #theAMYskort . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
4 years ago this week. We said goodbye to NYC - what I thought would be our forever home - and hello to our house in Illinois. I had never seen such a beautiful backyard. And for my 30th birthday my husband took me to pick out outdoor furniture. You have never seen such a happy lady. Summer dusk is my all time favorite, and after living 7 years with no outdoor space (in our apartments in NYC) I was GIDDY to be able to call this yard my own. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
With my summer schedule, I don’t have as much time for photos so I was really excited to get a chance to snap these today! This skirt is linen and all sizes are available at @rfhomeco . Check my stories to see how I cut my tee the perfect length for this skirt 🙌🏻 It’s fun to remember there are no rules in fashion and you can make the look you want out of spare parts you have lying around (and maybe #theAMYskort 🙌🏻😉) . . #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate
I’m having a good summer. But I keep getting confused and thinking I’m not. Because it’s so different than other summers I’ve had. Every other summer save last year, I’ve had no schedule and no responsibilities other than mama. . This summer I’ve had 2 online preorders (sign up at the link in my profile to be the first to know about those). I’ve hosted a ladies’ night at @rfhomeco (this is me standing next to the largest amount of #theAMYskort I’ve ever seen all together). I’ve taken a handful of custom orders, all of which are funding my Fall skirts. I’ve been to NYC and sourced my fall and winter fabrics. . Yesterday I threw out my back as I was sewing at 6am. I was bent over my ironing board, and then couldn’t stand back up. By last night, my husband’s flight had been cancelled, leaving him stranded in Canada with a 2:30am wake up call. And I had made an entire skirt before realizing I had cut it too short, so had to take that one I’m wearing in the picture apart to harvest it for parts to fix the first (this fabric is out of stock until August, so my only option was to use what I had). . I’m on week 84 between hair cuts, and my to-do list is totally under control and also way more intense than it has been before. Each day I’m reminded of my ‘light of the world’ tee (I’m wearing it here - you can get yours in store at @rfhomeco) because there are infinite things that will discourage us on our journeys. Even my vision of building a business while being a mama can become a pressure if I’m more mama than maker one day or more maker than mama the next. I think good sleep and prioritizing hair appointments is a great way of pushing back against all the chaos and claiming that progress is progress, even if riddled with weird stressful seemingly over the top complications. That’s LIFE, not evidence we’re going the wrong direction. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I got to meet @gerberpartyofsix in person today and we picked out her custom fabrics for #theAMYskort . Are you signed up (link in my profile) to be the first to know when I open preorders for YOUR #theAMYskort?? . Making the right skirts for women - with the right fabrics (which I have to feel to find) is a dream come true and this week being in NYC buying fall fabrics has me smiling ear to ear. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth @moodfabrics
If you purchased a light of the world tee, then THANK YOU. I am in NYC this week purchasing fabrics with the money from my preorder! I spent the day shlepping through the garment district, suitcase in tow, finding the BEST fabrics and I’m now snuggled in my hotel bed, looking at spreadsheets planning new skirts! Thank you for your orders! I’m so thrilled to be able to buy fabrics at my favorite places. I’m excited to share them with you so soon! #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
“BEAR WITH ME BEING SAPPY FOR A MOMENT: So if you're friends with me you know I've struggled with my appearance a lot, and I've been posting less and less photos of myself (@fablegarten ) online for a reason: I haven't been super confident lately. If I have somewhere to go I change outfits at least 4-5 times because I'm just never happy with how I look in my clothes. . . . BUT LET ME TELL YOU. I bought two skirts from @mrsemily recently, and this is the cutest I've felt in my own clothes in a long time. They go with so many tops (crop tops even) that I haven't had the guts to wear in MONTHS. Sooo many tops that I was convinced I would just have to get rid of because I'd never be confident enough to wear them again. The waistband is nice and thick, it's actually a *skort*, and it has POCKETS. All that greatness PLUS a much needed confidence boost = a happy me. 😤💕” . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Sign up to be the FIRST TO KNOW when I open orders for #theAMYskort !! . The link is in my profile! Also THANK YOU. I’m thrilled there’s interest in my skirts and I’m hustling to try and get an online preorder together. Because I’m one girl, who is also a stay at home mama and wife, I’ll listen to your wise counsel and keep on slow and steady. So I can’t give you exact dates yet, but I’m excited you’re excited! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth @lokeydesigns
“Since I first became a vendor at @rfhomeco, I very politely started stalking @mrsemily 😬 . Every single thing she posts, I swoon over and today, after my @lokeydesigns succulent planting class, I finally had some time to try on her gorgeous, handmade designs🙌🏼 . Every single piece HAS POCKETS✔️ and is made to fit the body so perfectly and looks so crazy flattering. Not to mention, they are so dang comfortable! . It was a grueling decision making process but see the last pic for the beauty I went home with😍 . Now QUICK, everyone go buy the other ones so I don’t snag them for myself 😂” . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
. “Hi Lovely Lady! . I received my gorgeous flamingo skirt yesterday (thank you so so much!) and I’m officially obsessed— I wore it today in downtown Manhattan, and within four hours, I was asked by nine separate people (including a head designer for a company who sells at Moda Operandi, Bergdorf’s, etc.) where I bought it. It was truly such a joy and privilege to share your story and info with them. Where can I purchase more? . Xo Tana” . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Last year, when I started making #theAMYskort I was averaging...LOTS of hours per piece. I was making them custom to each client’s measurements and learning about proportions of fullness and hem lengths. I was making each skirt out of a different fabric too, which made for a GREAT end product but lots more work for myself. . This year I’ve transitioned to my first retail location. My hours per skirt are much more manageable, and I’ve enlisted help with some of the sewing but what I’ve found is that I’m SLOW. I mean, to be trying to sell any kind of quantity, I’m slow. 😬 . But the more I sew the faster I get. It’s like anything else, just because I can’t do it out of the gate, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t practice my booty off and try to get better. 💪🏻 . These are handmade skirts and these hands ✋🏻🤚🏻 are committed to sewing the best skirts they can. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
There have been 2 main seasons of my business. First, the season of waiting. Early motherhood taught me a lot about what I wanted to do as a designer. But it felt like in that season, my fashion dreams were on hold indefinitely. Second, the trenches. I’ve been in the trenches with my business for about 3 years now. I moved home from NYC to IL and dusted off my custom clothing business, with a lot of new perspective. I set to work on product, and it has taken all of 3 years to get to where I am now - selling these skirts. I was in the trenches so long, I started to hang a few pictures. But I’m tasting a new season here and there. Like last night, when my mom showed up to dinner in #theAMYskort 😍😍😍😍 I had to work a long time making custom skirts, and then a long time adjusting my sized patterns - to get to the place where I could make my mama the right skirt. The right length, the right fullness, the right elastic, the right everything. This isn’t a custom skirt, but it fits like one because of the R&D that went into sizing my patterns. These pictures are proof of my progress. Here’s to new seasons. YES PLEASE. #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
PREORDER DAY! . If you ordered one of these lovelies last month, they ship today! This is my first preorder, so while you may not have remembered my ship date for this batch of skirts, June 10th has been highlighted on my calendar for a month. 😉👌🏻🤩 . I’m a mama and wife and friend and daughter AND fashion designer. The way I’m doing it is with careful planning, lots of lists, and one step at a time. . I’m SO excited you get to summer in these skirts. I hope you get a chance to play with what and how you wear them - using things in your closet and taking the skirt shopping to find a couple of tops that go well! Thank you for your support and send pictures!! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
I got to take photos of my newest skort - headed to @rfhomeco next Friday in ALL SIZES! . Then I headed to the mall to find a couple of shirts to go with it. All photography was by my daughter. And she rocked it. . Come get your own skort! Next Friday at @rfhomeco from 5-7:30. I’ll have the white wine and cookies. 🙌🏻 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
If I’ve gained any perspective from my years struggling to follow my fashion dreams - Michelle of @womensdreamvisionnetwork captured it on her new podcast. Link in profile to check it out! . “I am seeing women increase in confidence and step outside their comfort zones in what they wear and I’m seeing how that directly impacts their lives for the better. They’re becoming more themselves as they explore their personal style and they’re doing that by wearing clothes I’ve made them.” . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Meet the first skirt I ever remade. Well, technically, I recut and made a whole new skirt for my client and this one is the old one that I fixed up for myself. . When I started selling #theAMYskort last year, I quickly learned that there were infinite factors that affected the amount of fullness each skirt should have. I was taking apart and putting back together lots of skirts. And learning tons. Now I have 3 different fullness options for my skirts. And I adjust the fullness according to the fabric I’m using, the length of skirt, and some other factors. You would probably never guess looking at my skirts, it’s one of those details that makes a huge difference and also goes totally unnoticed. . When I wear this skirt I try and enjoy it, but it’s a reminder of a really difficult season where every week I was ripping a different skirt apart because of something new I was learning. . I’m wearing this skirt today, and we just got back from watching a tennis match. My husband was talking about how in tennis, your opponent might not be the quickest or strongest but if they can stay in it mentally, that’s how they win. . Good grief does that hit home. It’s a mental game for sure. Persistence in the face of obvious missteps. Thanks for always coming with me in the journey. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #failureisprogresstoo #failingforward #trialanderror
When you wear your hat like this - or see other people do it - that string is supposed to choke you a little? Asking for a friend. . OHMYGOSH I SOLD THE LAST 2 AND MET MY SALES GOAL FOR MY TEES! Last week I was chatting with The Amy whom #theAMYskort is named after and I was frustrated because after a great year, I had no product to sell to people who were interested. (All my funds are tied up in my new retail location and my online shop sells naught but tumbleweeds.) . So after talking out loud, I figured out how to get a preorder together, enlisting her help to promote it. (Thank you @delineateyourdwelling !!) . At the same time, a possible trip to NYC popped up the exact moment I’m in need of fabric. 🤔 so all the fundage I made on shirts this week I’ll be able to spend on fabrics for skirts. . It all works together but I can never see it until the end. Thank you for this very new feeling of meeting (or having) a sales goal. I’ve read similar posts from independent designers and have assumed they’re writing from a place of having already made it. Maybe. But I’m writing from a place of feeling relief after being entirely overwhelmed 👈🏻 maybe that’s what “success” feels like? . And finally, St. Louis friends - there are 2 of these skorts in this jungle print at @rfhomeco size M and L. And lots of my adorable crop top that is the perfect (longer) length to not actually show skin with high waist skirts. I’m wearing a medium crop top because I like it flowy and with extra length. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #meettheTEES
The pool is OPEN and this lovely is in the shop at @rfhomeco! If you’ve been following along, you know by now I wear #theAMYskort on every occasion. But seriously, elastic waist and shorts that look a skirt? What better pool coverup? . I’m gearing up for a restock in a couple of weeks for @rfhomeco so prepare to be inundated with cute skirt photos. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #moodmademay19
I’m working on the belts for your skirts! . If you ordered one of these lovelies - then very soon you’ll be needing to decide: bow or knot, in the front or back? ☺️ . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #moodmademay19
Do you know what’s better than new clothes? Old clothes. Let me explain. . When I first made this skirt for myself last year, I wore it on special occasions. Brunch with my girlfriends, and vacation. . This year, we are barely into the season, and I’ve worn it several times already. Today, was a day of errands, and a trip to the plant nursery. . When you buy special clothes for yourself, you get to enjoy them as special clothes. THEN, you get to enjoy them as everyday clothes. So then, if you start investing in less but better pieces, next year and the year after you will still be benefiting from those purchases. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
True story. When I was picking out my silver stools for the backyard, I intentionally picked the dented ones. . I knew the second I got them to my backyard, they’d be knocked over and dented. I avoided my getting upset at my daughter for ruining my perfect backyard by picking the pre-dented stools. . Likewise, I plan my wardrobe for the life I have (not some pretend life). Then, I’m prepared for it and can better enjoy it. #theAMYskort looks like a skirt but is actually a split skirt or shorts. So I can sit cross cross applesauce and not worry about anything other than what’s in front of me. . That’s why we moved from NYC to this green backyard in Illinois. Because we craved the simplicity in life that would allow us to not worry about anything other than what was in front of us. . 4 years later, my family and I are healthy and happy and life is balanced. Dress for the life you have. It will help you embrace it. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
This week I had to go to bat for myself, to get a refund on fabric that had bled when I washed it. 3 days and multiple phone calls later, I’ve learned this lesson: . 👉🏻I am my advocate👈🏻 I used to say that pitifully, like I’m a victim. I’m alone in my business, and feel lonely when there are hard things to accomplish. I want someone else to have a turn doing the hard stuff and I want to take a nap. 😜 . BUT. Needing to advocate for myself in business transactions reminds me that I am capable. . Unsurprising bonus: I’ve already seen how this lesson of advocacy I’m learning is what my daughter needs to hear right now. Because I pushed through this week, I am especially well qualified to chat with her about standing up for herself. So as usual, it all works together for my good. . My crop top and skort are available at @rfhomeco and I’m wearing the medium crop top. 🙌🏻 . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #meettheTEES
Things I did today in #theAMYskort and my crop top (both available at @rfhomeco): . Phone call with my good friend Amy, whom #theAMYskort is named after. . Work, which included planning for my upcoming presale (Next week! Get hype!) . Midday walk around my neighborhood, and a quick lunch. . Coffee while sitting outside at my neighborhood coffee shop. . School pickup and then errands at Shoe Carnival, Target, JoAnns and a slushee at Sonic. . Library with my daughter to pick up some books for her and ‘because they have the best iPad games.’ 😉 . Home to make dinner for the fam, in the middle of which, I stepped outside to take these pictures because HERE’S THE KICKER: . While running all day, and wearing lots of hats: I FELT PRETTY. . The feeling of wearing a thing you made (or was made for you) while working hard for your dreams and your family. That’s what made me feel pretty. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Every time I feel that familiar twinge of ‘am I good enough’ that social media so easily brings on, 👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 I think of how what we wear can make us feel similarly. . Then I get all spicy and take to the keys ⌨️ and call us to arms. . What we wear can make us feel less than. And once discouraged past the point of trying, we live defeated about who we are. . The further tragedy is that clothing is a powerful tool to build confidence and help us be the people we have in us. And all the negative tied up in our dressing room woes takes away from the positives of a wardrobe that speaks who we are. . . . Hi, I’m #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate 👉🏻the wife and mama who is #DebunkingTheFashionMyth one #handmade skirt at a time. This flamingo number is #theAMYskort . You can find my clothing in St. Louis at @rfhomeco
Money is often not the bottleneck when building a wardrobe that is fun and functional. I took myself to the mall yesterday and $55 later, came back with 7 tops, all of which go with #theAMYskort in blue gingham, making a washable, comfortable (CUTE) uniform that will be all-outing appropriate this summer. . Planning my seasonal wardrobe strategically saves me money and hassle. Which frees me up to enjoy my life. Here’s how I do it: . 1. Buy things that go together, rather than making one-off purchases. . 2. Don’t be afraid to rewear your clothes! You don’t need as many as you think. . 3. Buy things you love, not just like. You’ll wear clothes longer if you adore them to begin with. . 4. It’s honestly not always fun to put the work in, and that’s why they sell soft pretzels at the mall. Take advantage of them. Keep in mind, that when you shop, you’re on the frontlines in many ways - cultivating confidence in your life. So be persistent. . 5. Buy #theAMYskort -> I designed it to be an outfit-completer-piece because you can tuck so many random things into the ultra-high-waist and look like you spent a whole lot of time and effort putting yourself together. . 6. As we know, there are no rules in fashion - so please take this advice if it’s helpful, and please please please completely disregard it if you’ve got a system that’s working for you! . . . . . Hi, I’m #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate 👉🏻the wife and mama who is #DebunkingTheFashionMyth one #handmade skirt at a time. I’m a one-woman show, working to get my skirts on as many tooshies as possible but I am the bottleneck. You can find my skirts in St. Louis at @rfhomeco and soon-ish I hope to have them for sale online. . . #confidencecoach #stylecoaching #imageconsultant #momstylist #styledbyme #stylelab #stylecoach #wardrobestylist #imakeyourclothes #oneofakindclothing #seamstresslife #clothingforsale #oneofakindclothing #makeitsewcial #instasew #handmadestyle #handmadewardrobe #clothesforsale #stlouissews #uniqueclothing #smallbatchfashion #enjoyillinois #amazingILmoments #fashionlabel #handmadeclothing #creativesontherise #lovewhatyoumake
In the last year, I’ve started taking my clothes shopping. . Yesterday, I wore my blue gingham #theAMYskort to the mall to find some summery frocks to go with it. . Sure, a white tank would look adorable, but what else? . I found out my favorite colors to pair with this skirt are yellows and purples, and that when I try and put a similar blue with it, I feel like Cookie Monster. . It’s a different approach to dressing but so fun and inspirational. I save money this way too, because I don’t guess what will work and then end up with extra. I buy exactly what I need. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
The backyard is calling and I must go. . I always want to design clothes to fit the life I have. Washable, wearable frocks that elevate my style while simplifying my dressing routine. Basically, I want to look like I’m on vacation while also being able to ride my bike to the park with my little. . I can’t wait to ship your preorders of this flamingo skirt because it’s so delicious. 🤤 I’m dreaming of you wearing it on special occasions. And then deciding, wait, I want to wear it weekly! And then pairing it with your tennis shoes and heading to the grocery store feeling easy as a summer breeze. Then, all those good vibes will translate to you getting inspired in other areas, and then pretty much no one will be able to stop you as you follow all of your dreams and passions while also tending to the laundry pile. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
There are clothes that give you confidence as you wear them and clothes that require you have confidence to wear them. . Both are important types of clothing to own. Because some days you need to feel confident and some days you need to practice confidence. . Imagine self-hate as a person sitting on your couch, eating all of your potato chips. And definitely wiping their greasy fingers right across your new throw pillows. . If we aren’t actively defending our confidence (and there are lots of ways) then that icky self-loathing shares the house with you and your people. . It’s an ongoing battle for confidence. Don’t misunderstand it to be less important than that. If you aren’t pushing back the self-hate it’s probably creeping in. If you haven’t thought about clothes like this, then start! What you put on your body either adds to or takes away from your confidence. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort @rfhomeco #defendyourself #standupforyourself #slowfashion #slowfashionstyle #handmadeskirt #handcraftedfashion #couturedetails #highwaist #midiskirt
On the outside, I’m all put together today! Because on the inside I’m pushing through my fatigue, finishing up 20 hours of drawing the patterns for my skirts. . The 100+ yards of fabric I was washing earlier this week, will go with the 160 pattern pieces I just drew by hand, and will result in a steady drip of new skirts all summer at my shop in #stlouis 👉🏻@rfhomeco. . And those patterns I drew? They came from a year of fitting clients and making custom-to-measure skirts. I can see my progress, and it’s exciting! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #patterndrafting #makeitlast #handcrafted #durablefashion #huslersquare #sewingpattern #seamstresslife #handmadefashion #sewist #clothingconstruction #garmentconstruction #dresstoimpressyourself #fashionbombdaily #realoutfitgram
“Tired-stoked” 👆🏻 The feeling you get when you’ve been cranking for 9 months and your progress is tangible and the finish line is close. Tired to my bones and so excited to be putting systems in place that will allow my business to grow and me to take a step back this summer. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Definitely still in yesterday’s ponytail (headed to shower now!). Here’s a look at what it takes to prep over 100 yards of fabric. All of it needs to be measured (see me using the side of the table as a reference?) and then washed and dried. . I prewash all my fabric so when you wash your skirt, it doesn’t shrink, the seams don’t pucker, and the fabric doesn’t look any less lovely than when you bought it. Because I do small batches at a time, I’m able to take the time and care to do it right, though I’m giving new meaning to the term #slowfashion . The piles on the floor are measured and waiting for the washing machine. The (small) stack of fabrics by my laptop have already been washed and dried. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Wearing the ponytail I woke up in and no makeup and working like a crazy woman to get the next batch of skirts (and your preorders!!) ready. And it struck me that these are the days my clothes are made for, so I took a few quick snaps. . Does your closet have clothing that can meet you where you’re at and take you to where you need to be? Because with enough time most people can feel relatively confident and put together. But what I want to do, is provide the option of confidence on days that you have zero time to put yourself together. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #meettheTEES
The trick is to do it all simultaneously. My specific blend is mama and maker. I take pictures in my living room while my 7-year-old is playing. . And this summer, I will be a stay-at-home-mama alongside hand-making skirts. . It takes lots of careful planning. My 1 goal for this school year was to get to a place by summer, where I could work and be a mama AND enjoy the balance. . I don’t know if I’m going to make it yet. But this week and next I’m putting things in place with the hope that this summer will look a lot less stressful than last. . My presale ends TODAY! ✋🏻I pledge to not overcommit myself this summer as my hours decrease and my mama-time increases. This presale is how I’m going to do that! Because I want YOU to summer in one of my skirts! And I won’t be able to open orders for awhile yet. If you’re thinking of getting a skirt - This will be your only chance for a while and possibly all summer. 😳 . Click through to see all the details. 2 print option! Handmade, with beautiful details like surprise pocket linings. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 . And just to be completely transparent - I’m using the money from this presale to order fabric SO THAT I can be set up for a good, relaxed summer. So thank you SO much. . . #theAMYskort #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I am so very excited! I’m doing a presale of these 2 skirts today and tomorrow! Buy now, and your skirt will ship June 10th. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 . Both are knee length skirts (not skorts) with pockets, and come with a belt! Sizing information is in the listing when you click through! 100% cotton and washable. . . #theAMYskort #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Did you know prints can be timeless? If you’re looking to add pieces to your wardrobe that will last you, don’t shy away from bold prints. This jungle print will be in my closet for years. #theAMYskort is a classic silhouette and the prints I use don’t tie them to a particular year. . #DebunkingTheFashionMyth 👈🏻 because somewhere along the way I learned that the way to build longevity into my wardrobe was to add only neutral pieces. . Add things to your wardrobe that you love and you will be excited to get dressed in the morning. And excited to get out laster-year’s pieces. And P.S. I’m all about the neutrals too! But they were hogging the spotlight. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate
My shop inside @rfhomeco has been open 1 week today. And I’ve been celebrating with my family in St. Louis for the weekend. 👆🏻Botanical gardens for the win. . I’ve experienced many emotions this past week but one main one is happiness. I’ve tried selling my designs a lot of ways over the past years. Like, a lot of ways. . And if you’ve been following along any time at all, you’ve watched me struggle. And the only thing I have to share sometimes is my broken heart. . This week, my story made a little sense to me. And that has been an overwhelmingly great feeling. Years spent wandering (or so it seemed) but then all of a sudden this weekend I had both my precious family and my business. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
BUT WHAT IF YOU WORE #theAMYskort AS A SWIM COVERUP? . These will both be at @rfhomeco this weekend 🙌🏻☺️ . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #swimwear #swimcoverup #wearablefashion
Zoom in - can you see the baby lemurs? 🐒 😍 Nevermind that this fabric had some sort of Teflon coating that almost broke my machine today. 🥴 We made it out alive! And this skirt is headed to @rfhomeco this weekend. My first with a belt - swipe left to see how you can flip it to the back or tie it in a bow! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #mamamaker
Each skirt has its own story. Where the fabric came from, how it’s made. Each is unique. . 👆🏻 This is a fabric I got in NYC. Amazingly, she’s washable, which is always something I look for. And the texture of the fabric means you could wad it into a ball, shove it in the bottom of your suitcase, and look perfectly put together once you arrive in Napa. 😋🍷 . The stripes are matched across the seams and through the waistband, and if you turn this skirt inside out, you’ll find french seams and perfect little pockets, along with a care label including a hidden message from me. . Then there are the hangtags; with a little poem, and my sizing “medium-ish”; because none of us quite fit into the box of standard sizing - I want you to try sizes on and decide how tight you like the waistband and how much fullness you like in the skirt. I made these skirts for a full year - custom to women’s measurements. Then I took all I learned from fitting many shapes and sizes, to come up with my size chart and these skirts. . There are so many little details in my skirts. And I’m so excited to share them with you. ☺️☺️☺️ . There is 1 skirt in this print in existence, and she’s hanging at @rfhomeco today for the grand opening. . Special thanks to @olivejuiceproductions for capturing this shot. 💕 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
I blame all amazingness that happened at work today on my single decision to wear #theamyskort by @mrsemily 😊 ... I got to awkwardly run up to @lollieeeepop and say “Hi! I’m Jessie Marie Studio!” Meeting your @instagram favs in person is pretty great. I also got a project request from a stranger, celebrated one year on YouTube, set up a brand style guide skeleton for @oaklawnparkdistrict’s design assets, sent out a contract to help out @katiegouletdesignco, AND found prospective projects on @upworkinc to send out proposals for. I’m ready for a weekend! 💃🏼 🌸 ... #freelancelife #friday #dressthepart #graphicdesigner #chambana #champaign #illinois #greatworkday #jms_plantingseedschallenge
I won’t be able to make it to the grand opening this weekend at @rfhomeco but if I was going, I’d wear this. . #theAMYskort with my thrifted lace top is the perfect representation of my style. I put things together - all willy nilly like - until I find something that speaks ME to myself. . If we are unique personalities, doesn’t it make sense that finding our style is a unique journey where we put together unique things in a unique way? #DebunkingTheFashionMyth is about demystifying fashion. There is no set way to go about putting together your closet. Your road will not look like your neighbors, because you don’t look like your neighbor! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth @whenthriftersthrift
Last night I realized that TO THE DAY, the grand opening of my shop in St. Louis is ONE YEAR from my home show and selling my handmade skirts. . Here was my dining room turned show room last April 13. . This April 13, @rfhomeco is officially open and I’m officially feeling every emotion simultaneously. ESPECIALLY that one. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theKATYskirt #theAMYskort
I’ve never had care tags before now. It’s pretty cool to add these 👆🏻 to my skirts and skorts. Feels like a little hidden love note 📝 that most people will never find. I’d be nervous if they knew how I felt anyway. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort #ilikeyourface @rfhomeco
So close I could puke. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
My friend and I live across the country from one another, so to stay up to date on each other’s lives, we use a code. . We number our day on a scale from 1 to 10. 1 is terrible no good very bad day. 10 is epic awesome happy heaven. . Today she asked my number and guys, I was able to text her a big fat 10. . I delivered my fixture and mannequins to my new store today. . In 2 weeks, @rfhomeco will be open for business and I can’t describe how gorgeous 20,000 square feet of clothing, jewelry and home decor by 40 local Midwest makers and Nicole and her husband is. This is something very special I’m a part of, and I got a sense of the scale of it today, walking around seeing the progress everyone is making. . Thank you Nicole and the whole team at RF Home. I’m so thrilled to be a part. . P.S. my cross-country friend is Amy. My constant cheerleader. She’s a huge part of this and next Wednesday I’ll head to St. Louis again to fill that fixture with my handmade #theAMYskort. This is dedicated to you, sweet lady. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Headed to St. Louis today. To set up my first brick and mortar shop, within @rfhomeco . And here we go. Taking my business — that is by design, one with my life and my family — to the next level. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
My husband bought me this set of suitcases specifically to cart fabric home from the garment district or wherever else I find it. . My daughters Spring break landed smack in the middle of prep for my new store at @rfhomeco in St. Louis. I planned a trip that would allow me to work and our family to be together. My husband was in NYC on business so we met him there. . He hung with Olive while I went shopping for what I needed for #theAMYskort then I hung with Olive while he finished his meetings. Then we spent yesterday all together before heading home today. . This is a GROUP effort, getting these skirts made and I’m so happy my husband and daughter are with me 100% . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I think there are magical days, as a creative. And then there are discouraging days, where you spend several hours shlepping through rain and making expensive decisions you don’t feel qualified to make. . It felt pretty good however, to be stopped 10 times in Mood by people who loved #theAMYskort I was wearing. 😳 I couldn’t believe it. One woman took my picture, and another wanted to feel the fabric. . So I guess I’ll keep going. 😉 Even if today was entirely overwhelming. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
You know what takes guts? Putting out work that is ‘just ok’. And yet that’s the only way to get to the point where you’re putting out work that’s great. . I spent the weekend in tears because of some parts of my new store in St. Louis that are turning out not quite perfect. . Generally, the way to do a new thing right, is to first do it wrong. That’s been my journey the last 3 years trying to sell fashion. Every step I take is the wrong one, and also, leads to the right one. That takes guts. . I just got off the phone with The Amy that #theAMYskort is named after. All her words were right, but hard to hear. . The gist of which was: “sometimes it doesn’t work out”. . There were also a lot of: ‘don’t you dare quit’s’ and ‘you’re so close’. . And then the kicker: “don’t overextend yourself if it’s unhealthy for you or your family.” . So Happy Monday - the punches to the gut mean we’re going in the right direction. We don’t want to be comfortable, because then maybe we aren’t making any progress. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Did you know that #theAMYskort was only supposed to be made out of 1 fabric? When I originally started selling this skirt a year ago, I bought tons of this denim. . I was going to offer the skort in 3 lengths and only 1 fabric to keep things as simple as possible for me. Because with each new fabric comes new thread colors, new machine settings, different elastic, different amounts of fullness for the skirt. . But days before the show, I opened up the denim fabric and found it was covered in stains and holes and it reeked of formaldehyde. . I took a deep breath, and went shopping. I picked out a million different fabrics and let clients choose which length and which fabric they wanted. . I tried to start slow and steady and the fabric disaster caused me to speed full steam ahead. . Because I added all the different fabrics, #theAMYskort sold really well at my home show and then online. I’ve been making it for a year now, and I’ve seen it in so many different fabrics. . Big intimidating roadblocks can lead to some very cool alternatives. I’ve been learning that lesson over and over in my journey these past few years. Check out my stories today for the original post from a year ago talking about this headache! . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
Yesterday I was out roller blading with my daughter, when a box of hand-made-but-not-by-these ✋🏻🤚🏻 skirts arrived at my home. . I’ll be honest. I’ve been as cool as a cucumber 🥒 for a couple of weeks about my upcoming shop space at @rfhomeco in St. Louis but the moment those skirts arrived, my tum started to rumble. Because now it’s real. It’s happening and SOON and what if people don’t like my babies?? 👗👗👗 Link at @rfhomeco 👈🏻 profile for all the deets. . HOWEVER. Let me not gloss over just how amazing it was to be roller blading with my daughter AND making progress on my business. . This wasn’t a step I was expecting to make. I was planning on sewing every beautiful skirt myself for the foreseeable future. But in an amazing turn of events I met a couple of wonderful women online right before my daughter was out of school for a week and I had no choice but to reach out for help sewing. . Because of it, I feel like I can breathe after a about a year of being underwater. . 👆🏻 Soon to be trading in my leather #theAMYskort for some new spring ones but I can’t get past how empowering it is to wear clothing that makes me feel lovely AND goes with rain boots. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
What to even say. The lady who #theAMYskort 👆🏻 is named after - yes THE AMY, herself, is coming for a visit today. @delineateyourdwelling is my dearest friend and was a constant encouragement as I got my creative wheels turning again 3 years ago. The amount of self-doubt in me was so so so overwhelming and she just kept telling me that I could do it. Here I am doing it. And I’m going to spend the weekend with my friend and her family and we’re going to laugh and cry and have an amazing time! #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
I finally got a good shot of my Amy Skort in black snakeskin. I’ve been wearing her a lot this winter. . In October, I figured out the light in my living room is awesome. I bought this giant plant specifically for photos in here. Now I’m able to capture what I make better than I’ve been able to before! . I spent yesterday refreshing the website with some of the pictures I’ve taken recently. Go check out the new digs! 👉🏻 MrsEmily.com . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
📢 THIS JUST IN: LOCAL GIRL’S DREAMS COME TRUE 📢 . Hi, I'm Emily. I've been chasing my fashion dreams since high school, all the way to NYC and back home to Illinois. I became a mother along the way, which taught me that life is play and I want to dress for the occasion. I make washable, functional, playful skirts and tees to go along with. . As important as the fashion is to me, it's sharing my journey and connecting with YOU that makes my heart sing. So thanks for being my friend. . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Note that the beautifully blurred background is a pile of pattern paper scraps up to my knees - or there abouts. . In these envelopes is the culmination of a years worth of my very hardest work. . Next week I’ll be shipping these patterns and fabric to be made into skirts. I’m getting some help on sewing so that I can make larger quantities of #theAMYskort and I’m sooooo stoked about it. . It’s something I had been thinking about, but last week when my daughter was sick 3 days in a row I knew the time had come. . I’ve been hustling to get all the numbers sorted in my massive spreadsheet so that I make the right length with the right fullness with the right proportions for the right skirts. These envelopes represent a lot. I’ll be working through the weekend to finish my other sizes but I’m just so very ok with that. 🤩 . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth
My brain is definitely running hot tonight. But I’m over the moon with the progress I’ve been making this week. I don’t know how to put into words the feeling of seeing something come to life that existed as maybe not even a dream. Because I don’t think I ever dreamed I would be producing my designs on any sort of scale like this. And it’s not big. It’s really tiny. But compared to hand making skirts to measure, this feels very big to me. @rfhomeco . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort
Social media for me used to be all about likes and comments. And always trying to show the most put together version of myself. . Recently, I’ve noticed that I treat it more seriously. Thanks to the Internet, I’m meeting all kinds of people and they’re becoming MY people. I look for them, cheer them on, and ask for their help. Most of them I haven’t met in person, which somehow makes room for more heartfelt conversations. . It’s like everyone out here is slowly letting down their guard and I’m loving peeking into other people’s messy corners (what a relief to find they have insecurities too!). . . #MrsEmilyFashionAdvocate #DebunkingTheFashionMyth #theAMYskort