This post is very personal, and I usually don't do this, but I thought I'd let you in on my feelings and emotions behind designing my newest collection - Porcelain Doll. I can already hear my mom saying "Don't write about anything personal on the internet." Yes, mom! :)

part of my moodboard for the Porcelain Dolls collection

If you buy clothes at big department stores there is usually no emotion behind them because such a huge team mass-designs hundreds of pieces every few months, always trying to be the trendsetters, the cheapest, and so on. But when you buy from small buisnesses like mine, there are only one or two people (in my case one) behind a small collection, which means much more love and personality in every piece.

Every collection is inspired by my life, how I am feeling at the moment when I am creating the line. It's not based on any trends or what other designers do, its basically like a diary of the few months it takes me to design the collection.

I usually start by picking a theme, then buying the fabric, sketching, making the patterns, sewing, fitting, changing a thousand things until the final final collection is finally done - its a lot of sweat, tears, and laughter along the way.

sketches (by Rina) from the Porcelain Dolls collection

When I ordered the fabric in January I already knew that I wanted this collection to be inspired by porcelain dolls. I love their frilly and kitschy dresses and also the creepiness around them. The perfect mixture for this collection.

After the fabric arrived in March I got super excited but soon realized that I had no idea what I was gonna make. Here I was, with my "inspiration" - porcelain dolls, a bunch of random sketches, 410+m of fabric and a big creative block!

I think for about 2 weeks I didnt do anything but lay around looking through books, magazines, and the internet in desperate need of some, any inspiration! I was super blue (ask my husband), it was a horrible, sad, depressing time. I seriously just wanted to burn all my stuff. I was so fed up with it!

buttons, fabric & lace for the Porcelain Dolls collection

Then it hit me: I created the block myself by trying to please everyone, by trying to go mainstream with my handmade pieces (writing this I realized how stupid this sounds, its two completely different things...what was I thinking?!). The perfectionist in me tied up the creative and locked it up somewhere deep inside of me. And then I started looking back at my previous collections, I realized that I did this ever since I started making collections - trying to compete with big companies which is the worst thing I could have done. I was standing in my own way for almost three years and didnt even notice it.

But as soon as I realized it I had to carefully push back the perfectionist and get the creative back.

The actual main inspiration and reason for this insight were Susie's and Marlena's Blogs. They opened my eyes that not everyone likes to walk around in "please dont look at me" clothes and that those where exactly the people I want as my customers - creative and confident gals!

lookbook images for the Porcelain Dolls collection

I also always tried to keep the patterns and pieces simple (which made them super boring!) so I didn't have to charge so much because I didn't want to undercharge, but thought that people wouldn't understand why an asuyeta dress costs $170 when they can get it cheaper somewhere else.

But now I know that I don't even want people that don't understand and appreciate handmade items and don't even think about how much time it takes to make a piece as my customers (sorry, but its the truth). Think about it, if you buy a dress for $170 you will appreciate it much more and it will be with you for so much longer than a piece that cost $30. The $30 piece will probably be thrown out within 6 months...great!

After all the crazy reflecting and realizing, the collection came together within 4 weeks. I wasnt afraid of creating pieces that are a little time consuming and maybe not for everyone anymore. So, I took fabric scraps, vintage sheets, lace and a s***load of buttons, made ruffles, sewed them all together and am super happy about this collection.

Finally! After such a long time of making compromises and being scared of doing certain things, I created a collection that I truly love and stand 100% behind! Dont get me wrong, I still like the other things I made, but you know, I just like them. But I LOVE this collection :)

    


editorial images for the Porcelain Dolls collection

And the amazing images (lookbook & editorial) created by my good photographer friend Oliver Meyer are just the cherry on top. And when GNTM runner-up Christina Leibold and amazing Hair and Makeup artist JeyB jumped in the boat I was a very happy camper.

I hope you enjoy the collection and story behind it as much as I do.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this post by commenting below!

♥ Erika