Hey C.26'ers! Hope everyone is enjoying the transition into Fall! We are!!! You can now shop for these super edgy C.26 looks at Hello Gorgeous boutique in Atlanta! They open in the next few days and we are so excited to be part of this amazing new boutique! Hello Gorgeous is a boutique with a lot of heart and unique made in the U.S.A. products! Check them out on FB and inquire about Collective 26 clothing! https://www.facebook.com/HelloGorgeousU
Hey C.26 Loves!
We are too excited about this beautiful weather! Can't wait to spend our days playing outside in the sunshine- hiking, swimming and going on crazy adventures…and also designing and creating SS15- always on to the next thing in fashion!
So we promised an update about Charleston Fashion Week and here it is!
Charleston was so much fun and we were so excited to spend a week going to fashion shows every night! We met so many talented new friends and had a great time networking.
Here are a few pics- From the show! Make sure to check out the entire collection on our homepage!
Felicia backstage with the models before the show. #coolkids
Opening look on gorgeous model Paige.
Photo from charlestonfashionweek.com
Photo from charlestonfashionweek.com
Photo from charlestonfashionweek.com
Photo from charlestonfashionweek.com
Felicia and models during the finale walk- Photo from charlestonfashionweek.com
The 20 emerging designers and Fashion Panel after a Q&A session- Including David Hart, Sarah Parrot, Nikki Poulos, Cator Sparks, Afriyie Poku, Fern Mallis, Antonio Azzuolo, & Brandon Sun.
Hey C.26 loves!
As you may know, March was a pretty exciting month for Collective 26! We were featured as 1 of the 20 emerging designers at Charleston Fashion Week. We had such an amazing time, it was an absolutely incredible experience to show our collection on such a professional platform. The CHSFW team was a dream to work with and we made so many new designer friends, totally felt like being at "fashion camp"! We're just sad it's over! But no worries, we have some pictures and videos coming in our next post!
Danielle- Aka- Bo Peep modeling the ribbed hive hat.
However, First we want to introduce Danielle Keeton of Bo Peep's Bonnets. Danielle is such an awesome person and was also our hat sponsor at Charleston Fashion Week! (Thanks Danielle!!!!) We can't stop talking about our love for these hats- they are quality made in the U.S.A., on trend, super hip and best of all they give back to an amazing cause! Meet Danielle...
When did you learn to knit and who taught you?
I’ve been surrounded by needle crafts and knitters my whole life. It’s almost as if I came out armed with knitting needles in one hand, and scissors in the other. My first real memory of knitting was sitting on my mom’s couch with a cup of earl grey and learning how to knit a simple scarf from her when I was in my early teens. As the years have passed I still call on her for instructions on how to do more intricate stitches and to double check all my original patterns.
What's your favorite thing about the process of making your hats, scarves, etc?
I love the design process. When I first get an idea for a new item I can’t wait to break out my needles and see how I can take it from thought to reality. The process of creating something out of nothing with no road map is such a thrill – I get to draw up the plans and drive it to the finish line.
How did you come up with the idea for Bo Peeps Bonnets?
I came up with Bo Peep’s Bonnets in 2012 when my Mom found out she had ovarian cancer. When she started chemotherapy in the early fall of that year I scoured the internet trying to find free head wraps and hats for her. There were great companies that gave free fabric head wraps to cancer patients, but none that provided warm, comfortable, and fashionable knit hats for free. I guess you could say I saw a need and I decided to fill it.
When you see someone you love going through something so awful you want to do everything you can to help – to make them better – to heal them. But when you’re not a doctor or nurse you feel helpless – like there is nothing that you can do. Bo Peep’s Bonnets is the best way I knew of how to help and make a very, very small difference. I saw my Mom’s face light up when she tried on a new dress I gave her during chemo – I knew my role was to make people feel a little better by what they wore during a difficult time in their lives.
My goal has always been and continues to be to provide comfortable and fashionable knit hats that make chemo patients feel beautiful, stay warm and comfortable, and give them something they can still enjoy when their chemo is over.
What are some of the greatest challenges and rewards of being an artisan and a business owner?
The biggest reward is being able to watch your art come to life, and the icing on the cake is to have other people like it as well – so much so that they will pay money for it! What a blessing!
Bo Peep busy knitting in her studio!
Being my own boss has been a wonderful blessing and learning experience. I’m a perfectionist and a workaholic. This can be both a positive asset and a challenge because I feel like I never want to stop working and making things the best they can be. I’ve had to find the balance between rest and work. My studio is in our house so I’m always able to work – sometimes I have to say to myself – “Okay Danielle, it’s 2am put the needles down!”
What do you think makes someone fashionable?
Someone who is comfortable and confident in their own style is fashionable to me. When you see someone walking down the street with their head held high and a smile on their face you can’t help but to be drawn to them and notice what they are wearing. I feel you should always wear what YOU love. There is only one you – be yourself!
Do you have a favorite quote?
Doris Day said “The success I care about is in knowing how to deal with situations, in not allowing anything in my life to get out of hand. I know that I can handle almost anything they throw at me, and that is real success.”
What trends do you see coming in for hats/knits in Fall-Winter 14?
Collective 26 girls rocking some Bo Peep's Bonnets at Charleston Fashion Week.
Hipster Hats!
I see lots of super slouchy and chunky hats coming this season. Slouchy beehives and slouchy sacking hats really excite me. I love the versatility of a slouchy hat with a long brim that can be folded up. You can wear it super slouchy shopping around town looking fabulous, but then fold it up to keep you extra warm when you’re shoveling your car out of a mountain of snow for your morning coffee run. I also think the new everyday “perfect slouch” is more of a long beanie that slouches slightly at the end opposed to the big circle berets we have seen in past seasons. I also see lots of big chunky infinity scarves with great embellishments like oversized coconut buttons and leather cuffs. Lots of light silver greys and deep charcoal greys for the coming season – Shades of Grey anyone?
What inspires you?
My inspiration for my hats comes from the 50s and 60s when knit beehives were the big trend. I love the beehives of yesteryear but I wanted to update them to be more flattering to the face and to better reflect our current times. The “beehive” used to start almost immediately after a very short brim and made the face appear wider than it actually was. By adding the long ribbed brim and putting the beehive in the back of the head with a great slouch you allow the wearers face to be showcased. When I design a hat I want it to have a trendy, hipster, downtown cool vibe, which puts the emphasis on the person inside the hat.
If you’re asking what inspires me in life I would say the desire to make a positive difference in other people’s lives inspires me to keep my business running. At the end of my days I want to be able to look back and say I tried the best I could with what I had to help others. You can’t take anything with you, but you can leave behind something great.
Click through the gallery to your right to see some more of Danielle's gorgeous creations-
Hey C.26'ers!!!
The official Charleston Fashion Week® schedule is out!
Felicia will be showing the Collective 26 Fall/Winter 14 line on Thursday, March 20th! The event will take place at the tents in Marion Square, Historic Downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
If you're interested in attending the event, tickets are now on sale!
http://charlestonfashionweek.com/fashionweektickets/tickets
Hey there everyone!!!
We hope the new year finds you well! (We promise we're going to get better at updating this blog!)
Collective 26 has had an exciting start to the new year. We found out we will be showing at Charleston Fashion Week this March! It is such an honor to have been chosen for the top 20 out of over 200 applicants! We can't wait to show on such a professional platform.
We just got back from a weekend of creative meetings in Charleston to prepare for fashion week. It was so much fun meeting with our models, hair and makeup team, music team, production etc. Everyone brought such a great energy to the table. We're bursting with excitement about this event.
If you don't know much about Charleston Fashion Week, you should totally watch this video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIZwqhaSnFI and check out all of the emerging designer bios here- http://charlestonfashionweek.com.
Designer of Collective 26, Felicia Barth-Aasen. This is her bio for Charleston Fashion Week! Check out the other Top 20 designer bios at http://charlestonfashionweek.com.
Photo from the Top 20 Emerging Designer Party in Charleston this weekend! Felicia pictured with fellow emerging designers Cori Spade & Justin LeBlanc. We had so much fun!
To see more pics from the party go to-
http://www.charlestonscene.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=CP&Date=20140119&Category=CS&ArtNo=119009998&Ref=PH
Pretty Charleston this weekend! See you soon! <3
Hey Everyone!
Are you a store owner or buyer interested in carrying Collective 26? Contact us at info@collective26.com and we'll send a look book and line sheet on over! :)
Felicia packaging up some look books and line sheets to send to some lovely stores!
Hey Everyone! :)
We hope you've had an awesome October! The month has just flown by in the C.26 studio! We are proud to say our SS14 line is now out and we have already started designing FW14. We are so excited about SS14 and hope you are too! We also have a new intern Morgann and we are can't wait to introduce her to you...until then Happy Halloween! Hope it's super spooky! X-C.26
Designer, Felicia in her favorite SS14 piece the Rowen Pom-Pom Jacket!
October in the C.26 studio on Morgann's first day!
We at Collective 26 are very excited to announce that Jezebel Magazine and Savannah Magazine have both given Felicia a full page spread in their September issues!!!
So please take a few
minutes for yourself and enjoy reading through Jezebel and Savannah Magazine this month.
You can see all the cool, fall fashion trends this season has to offer, as well as check out Collective 26!
If you aren't subscribed to the magazines, don't fret! You can get a sneak peek of our spread in Jezebel at this link. We will be on page 106!
http://media.modernluxury.com/digital.php?e=JEZE
And you can see the a snap shot of the Savannah magazine spread on instagram!
Brielle and Felicia posing by the art work...do you think antlers are a good look for them??
Felicia of Collective 26, spent Wednesday night at Whiskey Blue hanging out with Morgan Kylee of Morgan Kylee Boutique, Brielle of Bluebird Makeup Artistry, stylist Molly Webb and Kevin Knaus. We had a great night at the event hosted by W Hotel and Morgan Kylee presenting Allie Hendee and we are very excited about Atlanta's growing passion for high fashion. We here at collective 26 are very thankful for how far we've come in our short time in the Atlanta fashion sphere and our future is looking bright!
Compliments of Molly Web.
Compliments of Molly Web.
P.S. - Make sure to check out the September issue of Jezebel Magazine! They are featuring Felicia and Collective 26!!!!
Behind the scenes at the Jezebel shoot.
This summer is going by so quickly in the C.26 studio! We've been so busy getting everything ready for the S/S 2014 line (yay), that we hardly noticed the time flying by. Sadly, our awesome intern Lauran left us last week to spend the rest of the summer at her cabin in Maine. Besides being jealous, we are genuinely going to miss her! We have LOVED having Lauran intern with us. We've been so impressed with her responsibility, drive, positive energy and commitment. The girl has a bright future ahead of her!! It's so sad to see her go, but we know that it's not over yet! * Lauran, you know what we're talking about!
Here's a message from Lauran summing up her summer with C.26-
"Wow! I can’t believe my internship at Collective26 has come and gone so quick! I was able to learn construction of garments, design, marketing, organizing photo shoots, and so much more. I would say the hardest was pattern-making and realizing that it is some tedious hard work. The most valuable thing I learned though, is that fashion design is the right choice for me and I love it! Working with Felicia has given me great confidence going into this upcoming Fall quarter at SCAD where I will be taking my first construction class. She is a hardworking, creative, solid, and pretty awesome girl that I admire! Even though the summer internship is over it doesn’t mean Felicia or Collective 26 is deucing out of my life."
Lauran pattern-making with our mini-helper in the studio!
Lauran and Destinee in the green room at the NBC- "Atlanta and Company" studios.
Lauran on her way to a Collective 26 photo shoot with Jezebel Magazine!
Felicia and Lauran- Lauran's last day....for now!
Hope everyone is having an awesome summer lounging at a pool, hiking through jungles, or exploring new cities! There is still time to get a fancy summer suit on our online swim store. Keep cool and some ice cream!! Enjoy.
Collective26 is making an appearance on TV!
Time * 11:15
Where * Atlanta & Co on NBC
Make sure to check it out <3
Read MoreSummer is finally here! Head to the beach or pool in a cheeky, sporty, and sexy suit to make sure to turn heads, like the Finely One-Piece ;) Happy sunshine!
xo
Collective26 girls
We are so excited to have Lauran with us this summer! So far we have had so much fun working with her and we love the energy she brings with her each day. She's totally cool. :)
Introducing Lauran...
Hey Heyy!
My name is Lauran and I’m a rising junior at Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, GA. I’m majoring in fashion design with an interest in swim wear… and of course making cool clothes. Collective 26 does both so I was stoked to be an intern this summer! I’m hoping to learn a little bit of everything about running an independent fashion design business from conceptual design to production to social media down to the business. In my first week I have already worked with pattern making, sewing, picking colors, and assisting in choosing designs for the upcoming Spring ’14 collection. Being able to work right side the Collective 26 creator is awesome!!... well I mean it’s alright I guess.
Keepin it cool and casual at Collective 26
Xxo
We've had the great pleasure to work with Christina for the past year! Here's a bit about her experience being part of the C.26 team. :) Introducing Christina...
-Hey, I'm Christina I love fashion, yummy food and of course hanging out with my friends! My interest in costume design and styling motivated me to intern for Collective 26. Right now I am working part time, interning, and practicing aerial silks in my spare time!
I love everything that I do and am so blessed to have gotten this internship with Felicia at Collective 26.
As far as bosses go Felicia is pretty much the best, she makes sure that the work atmosphere is relaxed and fun!
Working with Felicia at Collective 26 has been such an exciting experience!
Fashion is fun, creative and challenging, it pushes me to think outside the box.
Since I began working as an intern a year ago, Felicia has given me valuable experience in sewing, pattern making, designing, and styling! I have gone to many Collective 26 photo shoots and I've even been able to help Felicia make important decisions for the line!
I know that my experience here will be invaluable to my career in fashion, and I've made some great friends along the way!
Christina performing aerial silks.
Check out two beautiful Collective 26 ladies caught for their street style on quistyle.com! Qui style in Savannah is an awesome Street Style blog that totally inspires us! We are SO excited to have been spotted! Following are some exclusive shots just for C.26. (Thanks Mangue and ladies!) but please check out the blog to see more gorgeous shots. :) http://www.quistyle.com/blog/archives/27160
Photos by Mangue Banzima for quistyle.com
Photos by Mangue Banzima
Photos by Mangue Banzima
Photos by Mangue Banzima
Photos by Mangue Banzima
Photos by Mangue Banzima
CHECK IT OUT!!!
Pretty Exciting day for Collective 26! We're featured on Daily Candy!!!!! Yay! <3
When we showed at L.A. Fashion Week we became friends with Jennifer the designer behind Linden. Linden is a super cool, art inspired, and edgy line that is made in L.A. We've loved getting to know Jen and she has been such a great resource to us! Linden was so kind to include us in their inspiration style post! Check out what they had to say here- http://lindenca.tumblr.com/post/50525354750/our-dear-and-talented-friends-at-collective-26
And def. check out their site for some awesome made in the U.S.A. apparel! http://www.lindenca.com/
Hey C.26er's! Check out Collective 26's feature on the Scoop OTP website! Scoop OTP is a guide to finding cool things happening outside the perimeter of Atlanta. Such a good resource! Here's the story!
http://scoopotp.com/felicia-the-fashion-designer/
Thanks Scoop OTP!
