Sara Claire and Esther – Vintage Reimagined
MEET MADISON BUYER DESIGNER: Sara Claire and Esther
What inspired you to jump into fashion?
Both Sara and myself were inspired by our stylish and sophisticated Southern Grandmother’s at a young age. Their encouragement lead us both to follow our dreams and thus inspired the line, which is named after them.
As a designer, what are your most difficult challenges?
Trying to please everyone! We always want our customers, vendors, and everyone we work with to be happy, but it’s often a juggling act.
What do you find most rewarding?
When a consumer delights in their purchase of one of our garments.
Who is your primary target audience?
Confident and classic women who love the styles of their Grandmother’s and Mother’s time, but seek to remain unique and current in their looks today.
What’s in store for Sara Claire and Esther customers in the near future?
A full season of fun shopping events throughout the US as well as a brand new website launch!
American Lifestyle meets Euro Sensibility
MEET MADISON BUYER DESIGNER: Holli Gibson – LamanBlu
What inspired you to jump into fashion? 
I’ve been interested in fashion as long as I can remember. My mother was a very fashionable lady – I still have one of her Balenciaga suits from the 40’s that’s truly amazing! I graduated from college with a bachelor of science in apparel design and have been working as a designer in the industry since then, in 1990.
What makes LamanBlu different from other collections?
LamanBlu™ is classically beautiful designer clothing with a modern edge. It is styled for the parent and child who want something uniquely beautiful, fashionable and comfortable. The LamanBlu™ customer embraces the American lifestyle of easy-to-care, easy-to-wear clothing while having the European sensibility for the finer things in life and attention to detail. Only the highest quality of fabrics are chosen, with attention to the Eco-impact those choices have. The LamanBlu collection gives customers the ability to pick and choose the pieces that will enhance their own unique look. Sizing runs 2T-6x and select styles are also available in mother/daughter looks.
LamanBlu is domestically produced and has no minimums to buy. The line is designed to give even small boutiques the opportunity to customize the collection for their store, there are many choices in terms of colors and trims, and prints and the way to combine them in the garments – this is a unique opportunity for the small specialty store buyer to become involved in custom merchandising the line for their customers.
As a designer, what are your most difficult challenges?
As a designer, editing is my most difficult challenge. There are so many great ideas and so many inspirations, so many directions to go in. I’ve been fortunate and had the opportunity to work with many very experienced buyers and merchandisers over the years so I have learned how to edit and merchandise a line properly, but that’s always my biggest challenge.
What do you find most rewarding?
It’s always the most rewarding to see people enjoying your clothes. Working with children is especially so. When a little girl gets a dress and her eyes light up, then she puts it on and twirls around the room – it makes your heart melt.
Who is your primary target audience?
My primary target audience is the specialty boutique stores – both in the US and abroad.
What’s in store for LamanBlu customers in the near future?
We’ve just hired a sales rep firm in Canada, so we will be available internationally, we’re also starting to see some interest in Australia. We’re introducing our first venture into the cruise/resort season and that collection will be available to retailers very soon. And starting with the Spring 2011 collection, we are introducing infant sizing.
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