SUE ROCK ORIGINALS AT FLIRT, BROOKLYN, NY

Sue Rock Originals is excited to be presenting their Global Pants and Halter Tunic at FLIRT in Brooklyn New York. Flirt is a fabulous boutique with two locations and an open teaching studio in Brooklyn New York.

Sue Rock Originals Global Pants and Halter Tunic wil be at the Flirt Fifth Avenue and Baltic Street location.

According to Flirt, they are "...about more than just shopping. It's about your unique way of thinking about clothing, fashion, what you wear, and how you wear it. "

Thanks Seryn!!

Sue Rock Originals Crochet Bolero

Sue Rock Originals Handcrocheted Bolero
Materials – Wool Blend
Colors: Red, White, Purple, Teal
Bust sizes – Small (30-32), Medium (34-36), Large(38-40)

Cost - $200

Sue Rock Originals Halter Top and Wrap Pants

Sue Rock Halter Tunic –
Materials: Cotton Blend, reclaimed Men’s shirting.
Colors Available: Various stripes
Bust sizes 30, 32, 34, 36 (larger sizes to order)
$70

Sue Rock Originals Global Pants –
Materials: Cotton Blends, Polyester Sheers and 100% Cotton
100% reclaimed fabric
Colors Available – Various prints
Sizes Small (26-28 Waist) and Medium (30-34 Waist)
$80

Sue Rock Originals Poncho

Sue Rock Originals Poncho
Materials: Hand Crocheted Wool
Colors: Red, White, Purple, Lavender, Pink, Rust
One Size Fits Most
$100

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SUE ROCK ORIGINALS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I can' believe it - 2008 is here. After clearing out the old and wanting to bring in the new there is a bright view on the horizon.

SRO is now in negotiations with a Fair Trade knitting manufacturer in Africa for production of their Fall line. The beauty of organic yarns, natural dyes and thick chunky textures will be all the rage for 2008 and beyond. Mohairs and natural wools are in abundance in Africa and will be in high demand with market trends towards organic fibres. These manufacturers have never used chemicals to produce their yarns and all of it is handspun. Fair Trade knitters in this region are an untapped market and have been wonderful to work with.

Closer to the home front, we will be leaning strongly toward organic and alternative fibers for the future. SRO will feature stunning velvety mohairs, llama blends and creamy organic cotton crochet all season. We have handpicked some of the finest New York hand crocheters and hand knitters to work on our production and design team.

See you soon!

Fashion World of GREEN Textile and Merchandising

On Friday, November 14 I had the opportunity to see just what was going on in the consumer fashion world of GREEN textile and merchandising. Titled Eco-Fashion and held at the Katie Murphy Amphitheatre in the Fashion Institute of Technology, this panel focused on the growing trend of organic and green textile production.

From FIT - "1st floor Sustainable fashion is no longer a niche market concern. Beyond the current trend for organic materials, consumers are becoming more aware of the apparel industry’s impact on the environment as media coverage on global warming increases. From consumer lifestyle shifts to fair trade practices, panelists will define and discuss the complex issues surrounding eco-fashion or green fashion. Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York; Britt Bivens, director of 4.5 Productions; Susan Cianciolo, designer and artist; Johanna Hofring, entrepreneur and owner of Lower East Side boutique Ekovaruhuset; and Sass Brown, professor of Fashion Design at FIT, designer and fair-trade fashion consultant, will explore this timely topic. "

I had the opportunity to meet quiet unassuming Aussie Britt Bivens from her generous contribution of fabric samples to my non-profit Sue Rock Originals EVERYONE, Inc. Her generosity was abounding as she spoke about her work in the industry. As she mentioned her anticipation of an upcoming Green seminar at FIT, I considered attending. Little did I realize that not only was she director for 4.5 productions a cutting edge Trend forecasting agency, but she was also director for Promostyle US - a top Trend forecaster in the US.

The program began with Ms. Bivens discussing green trends in the market and how the public is setting the tone with merchandisers and manufacturers, creating a need for change in the textile market.

The program moved on to Julie Gilhart, senior vice president and fashion director of Barneys New York. Ms. Gilhart shared the dilemma of high end businesses in finding organic/green products of the quality of their other merchandise. This challenge brought them to rediscovering the organic quality of products they already had and requesting unique design for the Holiday season. They also approached designers Philip Lim and Heather McCartney to create organic items espeically for Barney's. This plan was a unique success. Barneys is looking for energy and dynamism in their designers. Their customers desire the luxurious - want to have things that are handcrafted. The commitment to have a Holiday Season catalog committed to Green Products speaks volumes for the future textile market.

Next was Susan Ciaciolo, internationally reknowned artist and fashion designer. She currently is working on handsewn commissioned pieces for clients. Her focus was on recycled denim and reworked vintage clothing. It was wonderful how she passed pieces of her work to the audience to get a real feel for her work. She stated that when working in Japan, she created an entire collection from organic materials. This process for her was amazing showing that working organically preserved an actual "energy in the fabric."

More about this on our next installment.

Crochet Bathing Suits created for TBA to be featured at Bikinis Under the Bridge!!!

Internationally renowned swimwear designers from the Caribbean and the U.S. converge at the chic Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo to showcase the latest in sensual and innovative swimwear.

Brooklyn, New York: JRG Entertainment is announcing its second annual Bikini Under the Bridge Swimsuit Fashion Event, a crowning event in its ten year resume of outstanding fashion shows in Brooklyn. The event will be held at the Tobacco Warehouse at Water and Dock Streets in Dumbo on June 24th, 2007. Doors will open at 4pm with the event slated to begin at 7pm. Headlining the event will be the brilliant designer and Creative Director of both Barbados and St. Kitts Fashion weeks, Roger Gary; Michael Awards 2000 Best New Menswear Designer of the Year, Francis Hendy; and Brooklyn's William Fleet's TBA (To Be Afrikan). TBA hired Sue Rock Originals to create these custom designs for his company!

WBLS' vivacious Wendy Williams will open the show, and Sister2Sister magazine's fashion editor Walter Greene will serve as host. The show will also feature a vibrant after-party (included in ticket price) where attendees will be able to rub shoulders with who's who in Caribbean politics, sports, business, and of course, fashion.

In a no-holds-barred media blitz, JRG has partnered with the MTA to plaster the side panels of 100 buses, and the inside of 50 bus stops with the image of a pouty, 6 ft., bathing suit clad model. With the juxtaposition of platinum hair and dark skin she dares you to miss this great show of eye candy. WBLS's Steve Harvey as well as 93.5's Irie Jam will advertise the event with model/designer interviews and ticket give-aways. National television channels such as VH1, BET, E!, and Lifetime, in addition to local Caribbean channel CIN, will feature commercials of the show.

the music that I LOVE

Get your own playlist at snapdrive.net!

Happy New Year

January.......... A time of new beginnings, renewal, planning... During this time we’ll be planning for the spring, 2007 and Fall 2008 seasons. I have finally found a consistent location. I was in 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise for a hot second...... I basically need to learn who my customer is. No one can do that for you, you have to see these people yourself, and spend some time. I think as a crocheter I was intimidated by an audience and shy about meeting people and talking about my work.

If you want to see and purchase the current products for SRO, I am in Brooklyn, Saturday mornings on the west side of Grand Army Plaza, next to the weekly Greenmarket Farmer’s Market. On Sundays, you can find SRO items at PS 321 at the Park Slope Flea Market.

The holidays of ’06 did being some sales, lots of gifts and a fashion show in Irvington N. J. (thanks Valon!)

We will continue into the beginning of the year with our very feminine ruffle scarves and a new addition, knit fabric hats – designed by Ifasina.

From the Spring ’07 collections sheers, ruffles, interesting necklines and bows (or tied fabric) are key to every designer’s look. I don’t know how many “regular” folks are going to rocking black, dark plum or navy this spring but the pink/grey trend will remain consistent, as well as whites, yellow and bright red on the women’s apparel color palette.

4W Circle of Art and Enterprise features Sue Rock

It is wonderful in New York - the fall air is crisp and warm for November. 4W Circle of Art and Enterprise will be featuring items from sue rock originals for Fall, 2006. Despite many requests, I kept my focus on accessories for this season. Beautiful rich fall fabrics came into my possession last month and I just HAD to try some scarves. Seems like some scarves are just never long enough don'cha know, so working lengthwise and with a ruffle flair, I designed something fabulous and feminine for Fall, 2006. Scarves are running $83 at 4W and are selling fast!

Make sure to stop by and pick one out for yourself or a friend (or both!)

Love

sue rock

Fashion Week brought major contacts!!

Welcome to "Autumn in New York!" Well fashion week is over and I had to most amazing time - thanks to the magic of Craigslist, I was able to get some advertising production done while make some fantastic new acquaintances. I was introduced by plus size fashion model Teresa Steele to some amazing and positive women. Stylist and buyer, Michele Martinez of Dulce Style has made an art of finding hip, stylish clothing for the curvy and sophisticated. With her encouragement (and Teresa's prodding) we made a bee-line to the penthouse where plus lines SVOBODA and Anna Scholz were camped out. They loved the lush and beautiful fabrics I pulled out and they gave me some serious business tips. It was a marvelous nite! Thanks - you women are fantastic!!

Northern African Tambour gives birth to crochet

Research suggests that crochet probably developed most directly from Chinese needlework, a very ancient form of embroidery known in Turkey, India, Persia and North Africa, which reached Europe in the 1700s and was referred to as "tambouring," from the French "tambour" or drum.

In this technique, a background fabric is stretched taut on a fra me. The working thread is held underneath the fabric. A needle with a hook is inserted downward and a loop of the working thread drawn up through the fabric. With the loop still on the hook, the hook is then inserted a little farther along and another loop of the working thread is drawn up and worked through the first loop to form a chain stitch. The tambour hooks were as thin as sewing needles, so the work must have been accomplished with very fine thread.

At the end of the 18th century, tambour evolved into what the French called "crochet in the air," when the background fabric was discarded and the stitch worked on its own.

(from the Crochet Guild newsletter)