Monday, December 31, 2012

So Appreciative...


As this year comes to an end, I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has been so supportive of Gigee Marie. Whether you've purchased a bag, followed us on Twitter, liked us on Facebook, followed us on Instagram, or stopped by our table at an event to say Hi...I truly appreciate you! As you know, I launched Gigee Marie in April of this year and maaaaan I was nervous! With no formal training as a "designer" and having never run a business, I knew I'd have plenty of hurdles to jump over. But I am so humbled by the positive feedback that I've received since launching the brand and I'm proud of what Gigee Marie is shaping up to become. There is definitely more work to be done and a lot more to learn, but I'm looking forward to what's to come for Gigee Marie in the New Year. So again, THANK YOU, and I hope you have a wonderful New Year!




 
 
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Saturday, December 29, 2012

[December] As Seen On...

In December, I had the opportunity to work with a fellow small business owner, a former classmate, and to end 2012 with a bang, I was featured in the December 28th edition of the Washington Post Express. For those living in the DC area, you know that the Express is the paper given out every morning at EVERY metro station. Just about every metro rider at least flips through the Express because there really isn't much else to do during that hellish commute on Metro lol. So that's MAJOR exposure considering the number of people who ride the metro each day *does the cabbage patch*. Check out the features below:

Washington Post Express (December 28, 2012)
I was contacted by the Express about a month ago to be featured in the paper, but they weren't exactly sure how or when I would be featured. So it was a nice surprise when I got an early morning text from a friend saying that she saw Gigee Marie in the Express (thanks Barb!). Since I don't ride the metro to work anymore, I dragged my boyfriend with me on a mission to the nearest metro station to pick up a copy 3 copies of the paper. And there it was...on page 19 :-)


7 Jaded (December 21, 2012)
I really do have to thank social media for connecting me with so many talented and inspiring people. Through Facebook, I had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa, the graphic designer behind 7 Jaded. Vanessa asked if I wanted to do a guest post on her blog, highlighting my holiday pieces and how you can style each piece. Of course I said yes! Check out the full post here.



Shop Happens (December 18, 2012)
Oh how I love my Terp family :-) Earlier this month, I reconnected with Erin, a former classmate from college. She has a blog called Shop Happens where she shares shopping knowledge and highlights Etsy (and other handmade) sellers. She interviewed me here. Thanks Erin!






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Thursday, December 13, 2012

True Blood

Update: Unfortunately, the piece wasn't chosen for the show, but the stylist still has it so hopefully there's another project that she can use it for *fingers crossed*.
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So I was recently presented with an opportunity to create a clutch that could potentially appear on the HBO series True Blood (!!!). I wanted to obviously do something different from the clutches that I typically make, so I decided on an envelope/flap clutch style. Of course, I also wanted it to have a vampire-ish feel so I went with red embossed crocodile fabric (the same fabric used on the Bordeaux clutch), black lining, and silver spiked studs. I think this is one of my favorite clutches that I've made, and I plan on introducing more envelope style clutches in 2013. So I'll be sending this baby off to the show's wardrobe stylist today, and keeping my fingers crossed that it's chosen for the show :-) Stay tuned!

 

Also, don't forget to enter our giveaway for a chance to win a Gigee Marie Mini of your choice!








 
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Sunday, December 2, 2012

New Promo Photos

I'm lucky enough to have my own live-in videographer/photographer. My talented boyfriend who owns The MediaXperience Film House is the one responsible for all of my product photography and promo videos (check out his website and follow him on twitter @theMDXP. And yes, you will see me drop his name and his company several times on this blog...love you boo! lol). We did a mini photo shoot a couple weeks ago for a few of my pieces because I wanted to get some shots of my bags against actual outfits. I think I prefer this look for my website photos as opposed to the product by itself on a white background, so I think I'll soon be updating all of my photos in that way. Check out the pics below.

Bronze Sparkle Clutch

Camo Clutch

Jade Clutch

Tangerine Studded Mini

Sapphire Clutch

Just for fun
"Look back at it! Look back at it!" lol
 



 









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[November] As Seen On...

I got some pretty good publicity for Gigee Marie during the month of November. I was extremely excited about being featured on Refinery 29 and on Fox 5 - Washingon, DC. I also had the pleasure of doing a video interview with Black List Affiliates, an organization aimed to create networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs, as well as interviews with the blogs Let It Be Beautiful and Dew Drop LLC's blog. Check out the features below, and click the links where relevant for the interview in full:

Refinery 29 (full interview)



Fox 5 - Washington, DC
(Sadly, the clutch was covered when they zoomed in, but hey, ish happens)

DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG



Black List Affiliates
I haaaaaate watching and listening to myself on video! Eeeeek!


  

Let It Be Beautiful (full interview)
How cute is this layout? Thanks Ashlyn!



Dew Drop (full interview)






 
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November Event Recap

I try to do "pop-up shop" - type events once every 1-2 months. November was a pretty busy month because I had 3 events to do (which I'm not complaining AT ALL lol). I love doing events because it gives me face time with current customers, and it gives me a chance to introduce the brand in person to people who may not have heard of Gigee Marie. Here is a quick recap of the November events that we participated in:

Get Fashion
Get Fashion was an event presented by No Kings Collective (an arts and culture group composed of working artist and designers) and KOLTON.J (an eco-vintage jewelry line), showcasing local DC designers and filled with art, live music, and good food. It was sponsored by Tweli, Red Bull, Honest Tea, H & Pizza, Twice as Warm, and Car2Go. It was a fun time, as I got to hang out with my girls Veronica of eeCuffs and Corrine of Carnelian Boutique (check out their sites and #SupportSmallBiz!)

Me and Veronica of eeCuffs
Photo credit: Jason Dixson/Brightest Young Things


Dew Drop Glitter Glam Swap & Shop
The team at Dew Drop invited me and several other fashion and beauty brands to participate in their Glitter Glam Swap & Shop. Dew Drop is known in the DC area for their clothing swap events, drawing a larger crowd each time. The event also benefitted Goodwill of Greater Washington.

Swap and Shops are a great idea for getting rid of old clothes [that are in good condition] and actually getting something "new" in return. It's a fun "girl's night" idea too. In addition to the swap, vendors, cupcakes, and cocktails, they also had a mini fashion show where bloggers created an outfit using pieces from the swap and from the vendors. Waverly of Pich and Roor rocked our Jade clutch with her ensemble for the fashion show. Also, check out the interview that Dew Drop did on me to promote their Swap & Shop.


Me and Veronica of eeCuffs
Photo credit: Capital Style

The lovely blogger models Waverly, Meagan, and Naja
 
 
Pop-Up Beauty Lounge
Pop-Up Beauty Lounge was an event organized by Red Sprinkle and Square Root Group, which brought together fashion designers, makeup artists, boutique owners, bloggers, and media for a night of fashion and beauty (duh, right?! lol). The event was held at the La Petite Marmoset show room room and was hosted by bloggers Nife of Skinny Hipster and Naja Diamond of From Combat Boots to Stilettos. They had a mini fashion show and quick holiday hair tutorials from Seven and Company. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit Red Sprinkle's Fashion Camp. Special thanks to my girl (and fellow Terp!) Aminata of Square Root Group for inviting me to be part of this event. 



Aminata of the Square Root Group and Nife of Skinny Hipster

Ashley rocking the Gigee Marie Camo Clutch

Veronica of eeCuffs (clearly my partner in crime at these events lol) and me
Photo credit: La Petite Marmoset
 
 
 
 




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Gigee Marie Muses: Camo

The Gigee Marie Muses feature will highlight various trends that have inspired my pieces. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you've probably already seen this one, but here is a look at the Camo trend that has inspired our popular Camo Clutch. I think what makes this Camo clutch unique is the fact that it mixes materials, a heavy cotton camo print with faux leather. It's also very in line with the mixed medium faux leather sleeve jackets that are popular right now.

 
 
 

 
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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tis the Season

From top to bottom: Bordeaux, Bronze Sparkle, Jade, Ice Blue
It's that time of year again. Most likely you stuffed yourself at Thanksgiving dinner to the point where you can't move, but managed to find enough energy to prepare for the war zone known as Black Friday shopping. Or, if you're like me, you chose to have no parts in the Black Friday madness, and instead took advantage of online shopping in the comfort of your own home. Now, as you get ready for Christmahanakwanzikah, there are still a few gifts that you still need to get.

That's where Gigee Marie comes in. Our holiday clutches are great gifts to give to your family and friends (or to yourself) and they include just enough glitz and glam for that upcoming holiday party. Check them out at gigeemarie.com.





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Welcome!

So I decided to make a blog for Gigee Marie...and this is my first post :-) I debated back and forth whether or not I should create this blog...in addition to the day-to-day tasks for the business (oh yea, and my full-time job...meh), it's hard enough trying to keep up with Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram -- and now I'm adding yet another platform that I'll need to maintain. But I wanted to create this blog to provide a different perspective into Gigee Marie that isn't always captured in the previously mentioned social media channels. The purpose of the blog is to give you more of a "Behind the Scenes" look at the makings of Gigee Marie.

Through the blog, you'll be able to keep up with what's going on with Gigee Marie, including my inspirations, first-hand glimpses of new pieces, our upcoming events and recaps, exclusive giveaways, and any other random thoughts/tidbits that may (or may not) be relevant. I'm hoping you will get to know a little more about the woman behind Gigee Marie (that would be me, Angela), and you can follow my journey as I document the process of building my brand.

As always, thanks so much for your support!







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Saturday, September 1, 2012

[May 2012 - September 2012] As Seen On

Gigee Marie has been featured in print, online fashion publications, on television, YouTube, and in various fashion blogs.

Below is a list of Gigee Marie features from May 2012 - September 2012:

Let It Be Beautiful (September 21, 2012)
Garden of Glam (September 2012)
Style for the Seasons (July 30, 2012)
Living in Color Print (July 28, 2012)
A Lacey Perspective (July 25, 2012)
The High Life Suite (July 20, 2012)
Forever 81 (July 17, 2012)
StephaInc.(July 16, 2012)
CocoKouture Magazine (July 16, 2012)
Neon Paws (July 16, 2012)
Nana Boutique (July 11, 201)
Style for the Seasons (July 8, 2012)
District Sparkle (June 25, 2012)
Bri Unscripted (June 24, 2012)
The Fashionista Next Door (June 11, 2012)
Fashionably Broke Girls (June 11, 2012)
All Things Fashion DC (June 4, 2012)
Tinacious Me (June 2012)
Strategy in Stilettos (May 28, 2012)
Cupcakes for BreakfastMay 23, 2012)
Fashion Hauties (May 23, 2012)
A Lacey Perspective (May 17, 2012)