Paserelle

My friend Ivy has always had a twist and originality in her dressing. In all honesty before I met her, African fabric and attire was always something I stayed far away from. It always represented the image of the older woman. And in my early years growing up in Malawi, that was one look you tried to stay away from.

When I met Ivy, she had a quirkiness in how she dressed up her fabrics, and I was intrigued. She promoted the youthfulness of Africa print in modern day fashion, and I was quickly sold! There were occasions she would jokingly say ‘If I was a designer,’ or ‘If I could change this outfit.’ Never did I think she would actually turn these thoughts into something of this nature.

As I curled up on the couch, my once un-artistic friend had a sketch book and was doodling in it. 'What on earth are you doing?' I ask, ‘Designing. Eh Eve, although its summer, designers are working on their fall outfits.’ I was highly amused. And looking at the sketch book I must say the drawings were rather impressive! 

If there is anything you need to know about my friend is that when she has an idea in her head, she goes for it. Our London house was full of woohoos, and woop woops spurring her on. I never conceived that we would be involved in preparing and getting ready for the Paserelle first studio photo shoot.  

Our kitchen was the setting of a design studio! A mini sewing machine, contacts with seamstresses, numerous fashion magazines, pins, buttons, fabrics, it was all there, this has been  the closest I have ever come to fashion week!! (Not forgetting trying to keep the hyperactive cats out of the way!!)

Looking back at the evenings on the kitchen table with fabrics all over and the endless emails and picture message about the next new designs, pictures from the seamstresses, fabrics, unit cost sheets. I can honestly say that starting a business is not easy. The first sale of the Paserelle’s signature green maxis, was a high moment. And going into the American market was also another significant point.


So its now over two years since we sat on the kitchen table and new line is finally out, and the second photo shoot was set. Models, make-up artists, photographers! It is always a stressful but fun day on site. With a fun crowd, just what Paserelle is all about.


 Paserelle has been a big lesson for me in starting up a business and doing something that you love, and the importance of the Internet, costing, and sheer determination, the life of a business is only as strong as the founder. If you  ever have a chance of turning something you love into a business go for it! If nothing at all, it will inspire on lookers (me!!). 

Signature Green Maxi

My blogs usually have a bottom message, but if not celebrating the success and drive of a friend, I don't know what lesson I could give. As Nolan Bushell said, 'The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about then NOW. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.' 


Paserelle is a youthful, fresh and modern fashion line. The outfits you imagine come alive. 
Here's to another successful line launch of Paserelle!

The art of giving up

It's that time of the year again, the period of Lent. ( yes I know am 3 weeks late) so what did I give up this Lent season, well.....nothing really.

I have heard many interesting things people have given up, alcohol, cakes, chocolate, meat, cucumbers, you name it people are giving it up.

It was interesting after meeting up with a good friend of mine over the weekend ( who had given up meat and alcohol), we went for lunch, and I found myself trying to join her vegetarian nature for the meal, we settled on a prawn dish ( sea food is not meat ;)) and then she ordered a glass of wine!! To which I said 'hold on here!' and she quickly said ' oh for weekends am off'. Oh my! The new rules of the 21st century Lent.

This got me thinking. We all treat lent as time of self sacrifice which it rightly is and straight after the 40 days we are back bingeing on the one thing that we 'over love' if I can put it that way. If you can 'correct' it over Lent why not then just have it in moderation after. Because at this rate it's almost the 40 day game we play each year. A test of one self. And then back to the 'off days'

So as you go through the period of Lent this year (about 3 weeks more) think of the time after Lent, if you thought it was something you wanted to give up, can you carry it into your usual daily 'Lent free' life, so that next year it's not the same thing that you are giving up, as you are no longer a prisoner to it.

Albert Einstein defined insanity as 'doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different outcome.' Let's not ritualise Lent the way we have ritualised Christmas.