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Subject: Getting away with it.. Author: Gloria [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:14:49 06/20/11 Mon Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 Okay ladies is this truly fair? I make pageant dresses thanks to everybody on this board. i started a few years ago and I got the hang of it! Now, here is what has me confused. All these pageant moms are willing to pay big $$$ for these big name designers one even paid 4,500(You still breathing?) for a dress designed by Michael Booth and made by Tina Marshall and with all respect I have seen and even made better myself & so have "Regular designers" I'm not trying to bash or start a riot, but what is the big deal about these big name designers? A good majority of them have bad customer service, ship late, etc. But they still get all the fuss and orders. I bet most of them don't even sew! Meanwhile use "no names" are busting our butts to make a good quality dress.Yeah their work is nice and all but I have seen much better by people that aren't as popular. The thing that gets me the most is that these parents are willing to shell out thousands for ONE dress, but if a "no name" designer asks for that amount even if their work is nice, they get a second look. I guess it's the label NOT the work... smh [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: I love my no name designer! She is fast, reliable and always make awesome clothes and dresses! I have never been disappointed with anything I have gotten from her and my dd has won best dressed several times up against "name" designers clothes! Author: Happy pm who does not need a name designer! [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:43:50 06/22/11 Wed Author Host/IP: adsl-072-149-227-186.sip.owb.bellsouth.net/72.149.227.186 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: designers Author: cynthia [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:41:35 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: adsl-99-140-60-188.dsl.scrm01.sbcglobal.net/99.140.60.188 I think the no name vendors do a beautiful job. I find it sad that many are trying to push out the average pageant mom who cant afford the $4500.00 dress. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: I'm what you call a 'no name designer'......... Author: Cindy lou (lil-queeny) [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:17:14 06/29/11 Wed Author Host/IP: ip68-0-54-27.no.no.cox.net/68.0.54.27 And I have been doing it for about 10 years now. I'm really surprised at what I see some Moms' pay for swimwears by big name designers. It blows my mind! I can make the same swimwears as they can. But since I'm not Sandy Henry (whomever she really is, I mean the seamstress not the name!)I can't even hardly get $75.00 for custom swim. I've got a few long time customers who are quite satisfied with my work who keep me busy, but it could also be that my prices are very,very reasonable. I also get my orders out on TIME!! EVERY TIME!!I'm not doing this to make a living. I do it because its my hobby and my love! But I completely understand where you are coming from. Me and you should be up to our necks in orders! But we aint! Why is that???? Cause we don't have that name recognition that they do! It sucks, but is the real, strange world of pageants!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: re Author: Gloria [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:01:33 06/29/11 Wed Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 I have seen your work! You're amazing! If I were you 75 would be the deposit! LOL. One mom wanted me to make her a CUSTOM national glitz SW from her own original design and was so shocked when I charged her 300. What the heck! Some Sandy Henry suits resell at 300.I'm doing you a favor! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: Thanks gloria. Author: Cindy lou (lil-queeny) (joy) [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 19:43:52 07/07/11 Thu Author Host/IP: ip68-0-54-27.no.no.cox.net/68.0.54.27 i have gone up on my price in the last few years. i used to only charge $50.00. Maybe in another ten years i'll be up to a $100.00 LOL! but for now, i'll take what i can get! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: I've bought several of Cindy Lou's swimwears and love them! Hey girl!! Author: Jennifer [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:35:04 07/12/11 Tue Author Host/IP: h23.134.18.98.dynamic.ip.windstream.net/98.18.134.23 [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: hey jenn! where ya been! hahaha that rhimes!! Author: cindy lou [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:48:06 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: ip68-0-54-27.no.no.cox.net/68.0.54.27 wow, just checking out the board, havent been on here for a week or so....... thats some conversation we've started!it didn't take me long to find out how the pageant hierarchy works! but i will still be here for all my loyal and (cheap) i say that smiling...... pageant buddies. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Cindy Lou Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:53:31 07/16/11 Sat Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 I have seen your work and you do some cute suits. Many years ago I called CP Annie who make the big girls suits. I ask them if they had anyone that would make childrens suits. The gave me a number of a lady named Myrna. I was over booked so I asked her to make some suits for me. Well, she only charged $30 per suit and you could get any style that CP Annie had. I ordered them but didn't like the way the butt came up over the cheeks. Your gonna love this one! I gave her name to Tina Marshall and she ordered some, she wasn't into the swimwear that much at the time so she was friends with Sandy Henry and Sandy needed to make some money so Tina gave her Myrnas number and Sandy has been using her every since. Sandy really started making some big money so now Tina has trouble getting very many orders from Myrna. I think Myrna's prices have went up since then, but not that much. I will tell you this, you are selling yourself short. Your suits are way too cute to sell them for that price. See, I'm on this board telling secrets they will not appreciate, but I'm really tired of seeing people like you that does quality work getting nothing for their work while some that don't work for it rake in the money. They will all probably hate me because I know too much on them and have known most of the big time pageant people including big pageant directors for more than 20 years. I don't make near what I used to, but it will build back up if I put beautiful things out there [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: you are so right on Linda! Author: cindy lou (lil-queeny) [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:54:09 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: ip68-0-54-27.no.no.cox.net/68.0.54.27 do you know if these (other) designers tag the garments? i started to after i saw people selling my original designs ( designs that i have never seen anybody else make before i did it). and also for people to remember where they got the suit from. i'm thinking about moving on from the pageant world and branching out to a swimwear line that will be sold in maui! met a lady and she wants my suits in her shop!! wow! first time i've said it to anybody! anybody got any good name tag suggesstions?? preferably something tropical or hawaiian! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: cindy lou Author: Limda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:32:22 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 That is wonderful!!!! You won't have to deal will all pageant drama. Congrats girl! How about "Beach Babies". That could be for any age. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: I'm thinking something along the lines of hawiian names Author: cindy lou [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:39:20 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: ip68-0-54-27.no.no.cox.net/68.0.54.27 i've got a friend in cali who is of polynesion descent and she is looking into it for me! she gave me a couple of ideas today, but i haven't decided on anything yet. i even got offerd a job at another swim shop when we went. too bad i don't live on maui! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Big name designers Author: linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:35:45 07/14/11 Thu Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Just to let everyone know that neither Michael Booth, Tina Marshall or Carolyn Kieser sew a stich. They have people sew for them at a very cheap price and they throw stones on them and sell them for the big bucks. I know because I sewed for Michael and Tinas children before they became big name designers. I sewed for Carolyn Kieser untill 2 years ago. I sewed for Tina Marshall untill a year ago. I have made plenty of money for them. I taught her daughter how to rhinestone. Do you think I can get a decent price for what I do? No, It depends how who you know in this business. I have been doing this 27 years. I've never told any of this. A few people know this but most dont. This is a very hard business. I'm telling you now because I don't care anymore what anyone has to say. I see many things running on their banners with the clothes I made. I had a very good business at one time and sewed for many of the big names on my own. Then had a heart attack and quit for a while. When I came back no one knew me all new kids. I started sewing for them and now regret ever doing it. My own fault, but oh well life goes on. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re:Linda Author: Gloria [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 18:56:51 07/14/11 Thu Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 Woah. I had a feeling they maybe didn't do some things themselves, but I never knew they did that. It's really a shame. Sometimes I feel like quitting,but I always convince myself not to. I hope the pageant world realizes what these people do. Slapping rhinestones and appliques on it does not make it yours. And to think all this time I would just look at their dresses, and ask myself how they do certain things,but finding this out is really kind of surprising. Just curious where did you learn to sew? Thanks. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> Subject: designer clothes Author: linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:34:25 07/15/11 Fri Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Gloria--I starting sewing when I was 14. I am now 65 lol. My daughter started pageants when she was 9 and I just made her first dress and people loved it. and offered to pay me. She's now 38. The only other person making dresses back then was Judy Burton. That was Nikki Burtons mom. She made some pretty dresses with appliques and pearls on them, Then I started sewing for Hanna Douglas when she was 3 and many others. I started putting the fishing line in the bottom and stoning them. I'm self taught. I have had a lot of fun doing this. I feel like God blessed me with the talent to do it. He gives me inspired ideas. This is not an easy job. Once I get the idea I'm on the hunt for fabrics and things to decorate with. Thats a job in itself. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that.lol Trust me, there is nothing made out there now that hasn't already been done many times. They think they have an original design but havent been around long enough to know that it is not original. I have video tapes to prove it from back in the late 80's. I have to laugh at them. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> Subject: ditto what Linda said Author: SP [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:14:23 07/16/11 Sat Author Host/IP: 74-82-68-37.rdns.blackberry.net/74.82.68.37 I have sewn for several designers as well and started basically the same way. I have my own clients now (mostly) and I only sew for people that are referred to me because I prefer to charge a fair price because my pay is when they win big in something I made. I do not do this for a living so it stays fun for me and not a job but I do make good money just not a fortune at the expense of others. I encourage people to follow their dreams and go for it. This is a hard and unforgiving business but you will only get better and better. There should be a tv show following the true origination and progression of some of these garments. It would be very interesting to see who has the real talent and creativity out there!!!! [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Designers Author: Tiffany [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 12:47:07 07/16/11 Sat Author Host/IP: NoHost/99.189.52.180 I feel your frustration. I have been making dresses for a couple of years and thought I could make a career out it. What a joke! Like most I started making my daughters clothes and noticed what others paid for "big names". I charge very reasonable prices and even tried half price custom dress sales. I've basically given up. I'm just going to do stuff for my girls and sit back and laugh at what others have to pay. I enjoy designing and creating them so it will continue to be a sometimes lucrative hobby:) [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: re: Author: Gloria [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 09:52:42 07/17/11 Sun Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 Have you ladies, the ones that sew for the designers, ever considered taking legal action? It's ridiculous that dresses cost up t0 8K and you make nothing near that amount. I can't stress it enough how wrong this is. What bugs me the most is that they have the audacity to call it theirs, and give no credit to the seamstress. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: sewing for so called designers Author: linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 13:29:43 07/17/11 Sun Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 I just thought it was my own stupidity of sewing for them in the first place. Everyone of us who sew for them are actually ruining it for the real designer out there to make decent money on their things. Without someome sewing for them, they wouldn't have a business. The problem is that someone will always sew for them to make the money. They also have coaches pushing their work because the coaches get free clothes from them and I know this for sure because I sewed many things for a coach that pushes one of them. This so call designer also has a big time pageant director who pushes her things. You can't really fight the way they protect each other. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: All that is not entirely true Author: someone that knows [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 11:35:38 07/18/11 Mon Author Host/IP: cpe-071-075-132-242.carolina.res.rr.com/71.75.132.242 8K dresses are rare. I personally do not know anyone that has charged 8k for a dress. The most I've ever seen is 5k and that was the mom that requested that price level because she wanted to be over the top at nationals. Reality is that even the big named designers are not making big money. The average dress order is around 1500-1800. By the time you pay a seamstress 600-800 for a shell then pay for fabrics and trims at 100-150 then rhinestones at 500-700. Designer makes 300-400 on average. Don't argue that fabrics are not that high because they are on national clothes. I know there are some cheap things used but it is because they work for whatever they are used for but majority of the materials are not cheap. They put the time in going to buy fabrics, doing the fittings, taking the measurements, and dealing with the people if the order isn't done on time or doesn't fit exactly right. The way I see it the seamstress wins because they don't have to look for work the designer brings it to them and they make as much as the designer that is taking the credit and responsibility for the garmet. If you are going to sew for a designer what you have to know is that it is like working for any other business, you have to do top work and have it done on time everytime or you will be replaced no matter how much of yourself you have put into it. And you never teach anything to anyone if you are going to take it personally when they become your business competitor. Like Burger King showing McDonalds how to make a hamburger. It takes years to establish yourself as a top designer. Years of traveling, being away from your family. Anyone can do that if they want to put the time and work in but alot of people aren't willing to do that. People want to make things in the comfort of their home, slap it on ebay and make good money. Well it doesn't work that way, sorry. Just like it took Calvin Klein years to become a big designer, do you really think that he personally sews everything that has his name on it? Get real people. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: re Author: Gloria [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:05:58 07/18/11 Mon Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 I remember chatting w/ a pageant dad at a pageant once. So the cost of dresses came up. He told me the most he has paid for a dress was 8k.Not sure if Michael booth was the "designer" or Glenna Hampton. But I've seen Glenna's and they are gorgeous.Still too much though. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: re:someone that knows Author: Gloria [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 14:18:35 07/18/11 Mon Author Host/IP: cpe-74-68-119-147.nyc.res.rr.com/74.68.119.147 I understand where you're coming from. It's true that most people in the fashion industry don't sew what they design, but these are pageants we're talking about. It's not like millions of people are demanding dresses at the same time and you need a whole bunch of seamstresses to sew you your things.Not a whole lot a people order these dresses, well not at the same time, you're not in a time crunch either since they give months to make dresses. If you're a pageant designer and advertise these dresses as you're own, the least you can do is make them. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: designers out there Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 16:46:49 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Not trying to disturb anyone, but when I sewed for the designer I designed everything then made it and decorated it. The only thing left was the stones, which they did. They can say designer all they want, but if they don't know the basic construction of the garment how can they call themselves a designer. I promice every big name designer in the market knows basic sewing. That's a fact.Just watch project runway once and you will know. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Ms Linda... Author: Loni [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 22:01:09 07/19/11 Tue Author Host/IP: cpe-24-27-68-164.tx.res.rr.com/24.27.68.164 I see you mentioned that you sewed for Tina Marshall. Are you the one that made her amazing chiffon skirts? I have ALWAYS wanted one for Mackenzie but could never get it right. Do you make these still? Please let me know. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Loni Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 04:00:42 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Yes, I made many of them for her. 10 years ago the stage was full of chiffon dresses. The first dress I ever made was chiffon for my daughter. I used to air brush them with different colors also. What a pain! lol, but they were very different. Organza dresses were out there, but not as much as chiffon. It's more difficult to work with but so soft looking on stage. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Chiffon Skirts Author: Loni [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 17:00:52 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: cpe-24-27-69-124.tx.res.rr.com/24.27.69.124 Would you like to make one LOL if you would please email me. I would love to have one for Mackenzie. I miss seeing the soft skirts on stage. kenzierosesmom@tx.rr.com [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Loni Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:42:55 07/21/11 Thu Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Lonie I sent you an email under a different email addy, but it's still me.lol I will make one for you or tell you how to do it. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: your missing the point Author: someone that knows [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 03:56:03 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: cpe-071-075-132-242.carolina.res.rr.com/71.75.132.242 Yes you sewed the garments and designed them except rhinestoning. Did you have to work your tail off selling garments? Or did the orders come to you? Did you have to face the moms when garments were not finished on time or weren't fitting correctly? Did you have to travel all the time? Did you have to pay for advertising? Did you have to figure out colors or buy most of the fabrics? Did you have to deal with getting people to pay for the garments that they ordered? I understand that the big named designers do not actually make their garments but there has to be a person booking and selling garments and someone making garments. There is no way that you have time to do both and be a big named designer. You have to have help in some way from other employees. Whether they make just parts of a garment or the whole thing. The seamstresses may not get the credit but there is a whole lot that they don't have to deal that comes with that credit. If you have ever had to deal with pageant moms, you know what I am talking about. I see my garments on banners everyday. I see my garments on girls walking around in the ballrooms at pageants running up to the big named designer thanking them. I don't get credit for anything that I make and I am fine with that. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: to someone that knows Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 05:08:08 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 I will have to tell you that your right about dealing with "some" of the moms. I have been on both sides of this coin.Things have changed so drastically in the pageant world. I have been trying to build my business back up for the past year. I don't advertise on ebay because moms who look there are looking for a deal and I mean dirt cheap. I don't like doing pay pal, but have been forced into it because pm's are used to the convience of it. I just had a lady named Carrie Brown file a claim and pay pal jerked $475 out of my account because she said she didn't get the dress. I have a reciept from UPS and a picture of her in the dress at IFF and FF nationals. It takes 30 days to resolve it, but just makes me angry they can just take that money from me at a whim. So yes there are a lot of things to deal with when you do it yourself, but myself personally will never sew for another so called designer again. I don't have a problem with others doing it. I'm going to fight this out on my own or quit all together. This is so funny. I didn't know anything about facebook, but my 13 year old grandaughter opened one for me and put 4 or 5 pictures on there and next thing I got some orders. I was shocked. I get plenty of messages about things, but maybe one order out of every 10. Once in a while I run a banner and post to the voy boards. It takes some time and I have found if you get a good customer, they order several times a year. Once you get enough of them built up you have a pretty good business. Another thing is I just want enough to keep me busy, but not too busy. When my name was big out there I just about worked myself to death from the time I got up untill I went to bed. I'm not intrested in that anymore. There is plenty of work out there for all of us. 4 or 5 outfits a month is enough for me. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Linda I had this happen recently Author: Loni [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:34:47 07/20/11 Wed Author Host/IP: cpe-24-27-68-164.tx.res.rr.com/24.27.68.164 IF she paid you with more than one transaction...call paypal and they will settle in your favor. You will get your money back instantly! Paypal rules state that items must be paid for in full the first day. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: Loni Author: Linda [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 10:32:36 07/21/11 Thu Author Host/IP: 75-134-4-180.dhcp.stls.mo.charter.com/75.134.4.180 Wow!! I didn't know that. She did make 2 payments so that is very good news. Thanks for the info [ Post a Reply to This Message ]