Making the Most of Setbacks and Roadblocks.
Since our incredible Launch Event some unforeseen obstacles have popped up, seeming to derail the momentum generated by our Launch. More than the usual letdown after such a highlight, it was more like falling flat on my face with one thing after the other getting in the way of making any progress. I found myself buried in the details of creating flow charts and inventory controls, managing finances, following up with those who came out and supported us at our Launch, segmenting mailing lists and trying to get our new collection photographed, the photos edited, the copy written, and the website updated. I had to keep reminding myself of how far we've come in such a short amount of time, and to not become overwhelmed by my frustrations with Photoshop and not being able to edit photos the way I wanted. There are endless time-consuming tasks that take me away from designing and creating my products and properly marketing and promoting them. It's just all so overwhelming at times.
Deciding to pour myself into doing something productive, I spent a few days cleaning out the basement and sorting through photos, home accessories and decor and clothing. We ordered a dumpster, which we totally filled up within hours. I organized my closet, ironed all of my summer clothes, sorted through piles of costume jewelry, books, shoes and cleaned everything. This is not what I had planned to be doing, but it kept me feeling productive when other obstacles got in my way.
There were also some family issues going on that were quite stressful, as well, as Bill and I were dealing with a troubled son who suddenly came back into our lives after being homeless and completely lost to us for almost three years. The struggles have been emotional and spiritual, and we all have had our good days and not-so-good days.
Then, after over two year of escaping it, Bill and I both came down with Covid. It was so bad for Bill, that he had to be hospitalized. For the last week we have both been in bed, stopped in our tracks. It is a helpless feeling of being totally powerless over what's happening. Neither one of us is very good at dealing with sitting still and not being able to do anything about a situation.
The only thing to do was to try and make the most of it. Since I am unable to get to my photo studio where I can photograph the new kimonos, I have been writing the catalog copy, revising my inventory system and bit by bit getting ready to hit the ground running as soon as I can.
Now that Bill and I are feeling better, and it has stopped raining, the world is looking brighter, and we will be getting back to some sense of normal soon. It feels good to be a little more organized, and a lot more rested. I feel ready to get back into my daily routine and get out and about to run errands and see my friends and generally get back on track. But I have learned a few things through all of this. Mostly, to accept what I can't control, and to be at peace with not knowing how this is going to turn out. I'm so grateful to Bill for taking such good care of me while I was sick, and for the heart to heart talks we had during this ordeal. God is good. Things work out for the best in spite of how we think they should go. I'm looking forward to moving forward, and am excited about all of the new possibilities that are coming our way.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support. It means so much to us. Good things are on the way!!
A tale of an epic evening beyond our expectations.
Wow! What a great evening we had! After three years of preparing for this event, we have finally officially launched the J.Mullin Apparel line of distinctive handcrafted luxury kimonos!
Over 70 fabulous fashion-loving women came to our event on Thursday, April 21 at the 1900 Building in Kansas City. The ladies entered an elegant boutique-like dressing room setting with fabulous passed canapés and an open wine and champagne bar where they felt comfortable to move around the room and try on kimonos as they visited with each other.
Our two models, Mariah Kelli and Amy Dreyer Appleton mingled among the guests and modeled several different kimono ensembles throughout the evening. Our stylist, Amani Skalacki, put outfits together all evening long -- both for our models and for the guests.
We all wore several different kimonos throughout the evening. It was so much fun to see the reactions of our guests to how they looked and felt when they put yet another kimono on. By the end of the evening, our guests had put on their own fashion show. It was the best dress-up party, which far surpassed my expectations.
Our wonderful MC, Katie Van Luchene charmed us all with her poised and professional presentation. Of course, I had to tell the story of how we met. I was new to Kansas City, and attended a runway show at KCFW (Kansas City Fashion Week). I was wearing a kimono I had just finished making that day. It was the first one I ever made. I was nervous about what to wear. After all, it was a fashion event. As I was making my way to my front row seat, a glamorously dressed woman came up to me and complimented me on it. When I told her that I made it, she said, "I'd buy it in a heartbeat!" I was stunned, and thought to myself, "Maybe I should make some more!" I didn't know who she was, but her reaction and kind words to me had a huge impact on me.
That same night I met Jennifer Lapka, the founder of Rightfully Sewn, who told me about her non-profit organization that works with new designers to develop patterns and do small batch production. The rest is history. Here we are three years later, and the woman who complimented me on my kimono that night was none other than Katie Van Luchene, who was now the MC for my Launch Event. And, Jennifer Lapka was one of my honored guests and a presenter.
I have been working with her team of professionals for the last two years on creating three new patterns, and streamlining our production process. She spoke about Rightfully Sewn's mission of providing education and employment opportunities for underserved women in Kansas City. Her business model has attracted the attention of the Council of Fashion Designers in America (CFDA) which is considering starting a similar organization in New York City.
Another honored guest, Bobbi Jo Reed, stole our hearts with her story of founding Healing House, a non-profit organization that provides housing and counseling to those recovering from substance abuse issues. Her mission of lifting women up, giving them confidence and a fresh new start on life meshes with my own mission of encouraging women to be all they were born to be; to give themselves permission to be more of who they are and to not hesitate to invest in themselves and create a life for themselves around what they love.
Both Jennifer and Bobbi Jo now have their own J.Mullin kimono. And Katie Van Luchene now has three! One of the highlights of the launch event was Katie's presentation of the luxurious
way we package our purchased kimonos.
When she untied the navy blue ribbon and opened the white box to reveal the package inserts and tissue wrapped kimono, I suggested she go ahead and open it. Inside, was THE kimono that brought us together. The very first kimono I ever made, which I still had, and now it was going to be hers. I also included a small leather shoulder bag that was printed from a photograph of the kimono's fabric. It was a great moment!
There are not enough thank you's to go around for all of the people who helped me put this event together: O'Neill Events, the 1900 Building staff and the Restaurant at 1900 for its fabulous catering and bar service, and the sales reps of the local magazines who were very patient with my lack of PhotoShop skills in preparing display ads! And, of course, our wonderful presenters, models, stylist and MC! Thank you also to my photographer, Samantha Levi, and videographer, Johanna Brooks, for their excellent work.
Our new kimonos are not on our website yet -- but they will be soon. In fact, some of them are still being made. The new kimonos we had at the launch event were completed the day before the event, and Bobbi Jo Reed and my husband, Bill, were still tagging them as our guests were arriving. I will let you know when the new kimonos are on our website!
By the end of the evening, we had sold ten kimonos and several scarves and belts. Two of our guests purchased two kimonos each! It was so gratifying to be so well received by some of Kansas City's best dressed women. We are grateful to all of those who came out and supported us and that we are able to donate all proceeds from our Launch Event to Healing House.
A Conversation about Renewal and Reinvention
About this video: This video is a 60-second photo montage from a recent photoshoot of the J.Mullin Apparel Spring/Summer line, which is set to debut at a LAUNCH EVENT this coming Thursday in Kansas City.
More information at Eventbrite.com:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jmullin-apparel-launch-event-distinctive-handmade-luxury-kimonos- tickets-264112978027)
In anticipation of our upcoming LAUNCH EVENT, I recently sat down with a writer who is very familiar with our line and shared some of the background information about our new collection:
The Theme:
Q: The overall theme of the new collection is “Rediscovering Elegance.” What do you mean by Rediscovering Elegance?
JM: It signifies a coming out of hiding; a hope for our future; a desire for renewal and reinvention; a craving for simplifying our lives, celebrating beauty and elevating our style. The new collection celebrates vibrancy and a sense of adventure, and embraces our love for luxury and sophisticated style.
Q: You say each kimono is one-of-a-kind. I love that each kimono has a name and even has a story. Can you tell us more about that?
JM: Our kimonos each feature some repurposed fabrics, and a lot of them incorporate vintage kimono fabric. Each piece tells a story that is as unique and multi-faceted as the story of the woman who wears it. I am fascinated by every woman’s story of how she has evolved. Every woman has a story, and we want to help her tell it.
The Fabrics:
Q: We’re seeing some warm, rosy colors, some graphic prints and botanicals in the line. What was your inspiration for choosing these fabrics? They’re all quite different, but somehow hang together. Can you tell us more about how you put these fabrics together?
JM: What you can expect from this collection is a bit of nostalgic luxury. My inspirations for the kimonos and scarves were the glamour of old Hollywood and the warm rosy colors of vintage travel posters. The fabrics I chose evoke the abstract art style of Matisse and the muted colors of block prints from the Mid Century. There are a lot of warm, rosy colors and contemporary Japanese prints. We trim our garments with fine Japanese linen bands and finish them off with curated vintage and repurposed fabrics. Part modern art, part vintage kimono, the fabric combinations are the true art of each piece. No two are alike.
The Relevance:
Q: How is the new line relevant for women at this moment in time, and considering the lifestyle changes that we have made over the last two years?
JM: I think women are so ready to get dressed up again. We’ve been in hiding for over two years, and we’re so ready for a change. We want a wardrobe that is less complicated, yet more sophisticated. We’re craving color and patterns, but we want fewer pieces and a more timeless, elegant look.
From everything I've read about what's trending in fashion this season, women are choosing quality over quantity, and are going for classic timeless looks that are relaxed but elevated, and are adaptable to a wide range of situations. We are zeroing in on what our personal style really is and want to wear garments that bring out our confidence and make us feel more alive. We want to wear things that are flattering, and that we can wear with pieces we already own.
Styling Tips:
Q: Let’s talk about styling. Just how do you wear a kimono?
JM: Consider it a layering piece, a topper for whatever you are wearing at the moment. The looks can vary from athleisure casual and sneakers or slides to jeans and sandals
to cropped pants and espadrilles to a simple cocktail dress or wide palazzo pants with heels. You can basically build a capsule wardrobe around one or two statement piece kimonos.
Q: That would simplify creating a travel wardrobe, right?
JM: Absolutely. A kimono can be a robe at breakfast, a light coat worn over joggers or jeans for sightseeing, a swimsuit coverup at the pool, and be a dramatic topper for cocktail dresses and evening attire like narrow silk ankle pants or long flowing palazzo pants. You’ll be wrapped in luxury and comfort from morning to night.
Paired with classic separates, a J.Mullin kimono can be styled to adapt to the many facets of a woman’s lifestyle. Slipping into one of our sleek, fully lined kimonos instantly elevates whatever a woman is wearing. She can be at ease in any situation, which brings out her confidence and panache. That’s not just relevance. That’s opening the door to new possibilities. That’s a woman giving herself permission to shine.
Our Commitment to Reinvention and Renewal:
Q: You talk a lot about reinvention. I know that’s what we’re seeing in each piece — the fact that each piece incorporates repurposed fabrics and even vintage kimono fabrics, but it’s more than that, isn’t it? Isn’t reinvention symbolic as well? Isn’t that what we all want?
JM: That’s exactly right. It’s about using what we have to reinvent our lives. Embracing our strengths and finding ways to make the world a better place. The J.Mullin brand is all about reinvention. We honor the ever-evolving journey every woman experiences as she discovers her true essence. We believe women should not hide behind clothing that simply covers them up, but, rather wear pieces that not only flatter, but also transform how we feel about ourselves. A confident woman lives with passion and puts herself out into the world and finds creative ways to make the world a better place.
Q: Is this why J.Mullin Apparel is donating its proceeds to organizations that help women get a new start in life?
JM: My husband, Bill, and I have decided to donate all of our proceeds, not just from our upcoming Launch Event, but as an ongoing commitment, to non-profit organizations that work to uplift women and help them get a new start in life. We are particularly interested in the organizations who provide housing, education and counseling to women who are recovering from substance abuse disorders.
The proceeds from this Thursday's Launch Event will be donated to the Healing House in Kansas City. We also support the House of Ruth Recovery Home in Bill's hometown of Connersville, Indiana.
If you live near Kansas City, it's not too late to reserve your free tickets to our Launch Event. Just click on this image for the link.
Those of you who are followers and friends from outside the Kansas City area, we invite you to see what's new here on our website:
Our new Scarves and Obi belts are on our site now, and are available for immediate (and free in the U.S.) shipping for Mother's Day gifts.
The new Kimonos will be on our site around May 1st.
