Alulee » MovingOnward

It’s a look, it’s a feel.

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:52:56 +0000

The debate continues: “Alulee” or “Righteous Fits”. Alulee is shorter and starts with A. It’s cute. Makes a good name for a label. Righteous Fits has attitude, hence the graffiti fonts, and is a lot more descriptive in every way. I’ll figure it out.
Meanwhile, the cart wars continue. 3Dcart called today wanting to know if they could help (so to speak). Frankly, I was distracted by other things and couldn’t really concentrate. Our younger boycat hasn’t been eating since returning from the cat hospital for urinary blockage. It sounds a little funny, but it’s actually quite frightening as the vet was afraid his bladder had already torn which would have been very bad. Right now, Ponyboy’s on major pharmaceuticals which is perhaps why he’s not chowing down. Ever try to pill a cat? It’s an experience.

Shopping cart problem, nearly solved!!

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:52:02 +0000

Within my price range and the needs of this fledgling site I was able to find two all-in-one shopping cart solutions that look like they can be kickstarted (relatively) quickly. Volusion, and 3Dcart. They’re quite similar, actually. Both have analytics capabilities, although it looks 3Dcart’s may not be as sophisticated. Both allow dropshipping/multiple manufacturers. This was the clincher. I’ve got some time to decide as I need to finalize what we’ll be carrying in the store, hello.

I’m off to talk to the designers to work out the details. Then, with luck a short sojourn in the Land of LogoandDesign, and then onward to Capitalism Country. Yay!

Moving ever onward

admin — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 02:16:16 +0000

Came up with a name for the site and a name for the store. “Righteous Fits.” I really like it. To me, it conveys the feisty spirit of all the women I’ve talked to about trying to find groovy duds and tools to help them (us) rock our lifestyles. Plus, if you’ve checked out the designers I’ve added on the list, some of whom are probably coming onboard, then you definitely know they’ve got awesome fits. I’m definitely excited.

I came up with a second name, too. “Alulee.” It’s pronounced “Ah-loo-lee”. What does it mean? Why, I’m so glad you asked.

Top 3 Reasons Why I Like This Name:

It sounds vaguely like “Hallelujah”
- As in, “Alulee!! I can finally get some awesome clothes that fit me!”
It’s from the Hawaiian word meaning a “Head tilt”. (Actually, it’s spelled a little differently.)
- As in, “Huh? Why’d it take so long to find any awesome clothes that fit me?!”
It started with an “A”, so I figured it’d be at the top of lists.
- As in, I liked it. It sounds happy and fun.

Next up is to solidify my shopping cart, and add on more manufacturers. Plus, I keep promising I’m going to talk about the options and discoveries I’ve found to make petites’ lives easier, so I should do it. Also, I want to change the graphics. That was waiting for the name. Got that now. I guess tomorrow should be fun - I get to play with design and colors!

Lynn Colclough’s on TLC’s Who Are You Wearing, Aug. 29

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:44:31 +0000

Yippee! Petite designers hitting the big time! Petite fashion blog Serafina, reports that Lynn will be on the new show this month:

…on August 29th [Lynn Colclough] .. gets to show off her fashion design chops on on TLC’s new reality competition series, Who Are You Wearing? The weekly show centers around four everyday designers who compete against one another to design and dress a celebrity for a red carpet event.

Balzac Clothing - Short Dress

Lynn will be designing for dancer/actress, Stacy Keibler, who’s nearly 6 feet tall, thus proving that if you’re a great designer, you can design for anyone no matter their size. Take *that*, fashion industry. Tune in, and check it out!

And, in the meantime, you can also take a look at Balzac Clothing’s current collection.

Business Models and new thinking

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:24:50 +0000

This has been taking a while longer. Went on vacation, had time to rethink. There still aren’t as many designers out there as I thought there were. My plan was to focus solely on designers for petites, but it looks like I may have to branch out. Doesn’t make me happy.

Still having problems coming up with a name. What’s going to happen when I have a kid?

Was looking for a little bike bag in Paragon over the weekend, and I mentioned this project to another woman doing the same. Hunting for a backpack that would fit her, that is. “What’s the name of your company? Can I have your card? Where can I find your site?” WOW. At that moment two women passed by and must have overheard our conversation because one of them said, “And bikes! Do you know anything about bikes?”

Ha. Do I know anything about bikes? For small women? I’m so psyched. Yes, there will be bikes. There will be lots of stuff. Even if I can’t find as many indie designers who design specifically for us.

Shopping carts and paranoia.

admin — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 01:11:28 +0000

Who knew there were so many?

I posted something to craigslist, looking for a designer, but suspect the listing may be too cagey, as if I’m afraid that someone might glom onto my wonderful fabuloso biz ideée and get it up and running before I do. It’s a possibility, but considering there are hardly any general blogs that discuss petite clothes, and so few (especially in the United States) petite designers, it’s not that likely. I think it’s just the nervousness of starting a new venture. I should just get over it, be more specific and move on to the next step.

I’m also going to try to post something on some of the freelance sites. What I *don’t* want to have to do is build this thing myself.

I need another Flavor*Ice.

And… we’re off!!

admin — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:59:34 +0000

Exciting news! Yesterday, we got our first designer to agree to let us market her duds. I talked to Lynn Colclough, founder and chief designer of Balzac Clothing, she said, “Yes.” and it’s in the works. Much rejoicing and jumping up and down ensued, followed by a mad dash to the train to go see Absinthe at South Street Seaport. (The show was lewd, beautiful, stirring and funny. Athletics as art. Not exactly for kids, though.)

Next steps: determining what pieces are available for me to showcase here, ironing out the details.

Chief among these, of course, are:

settling on a shopping cart,

a design, and

oh yeah - coming up with a new name for the place.

Suggestions for all of the above are welcome. For now, send them to vocevive@gmail.com. For a look at some tasty duds: drop on by Balzac. I’m so psyched.

Transitions: Hello, world!

admin — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:33:23 +0000

Time to make a change. I needed a new bike and it took me over two months to find one that fit. Can you believe it? As a petite woman, it was crazy hard to get one. Everything was too big, too awkward, too heavy and cost way too much.

In the process of hunting through websites, calling people, poking through the bowels of Craigslist and eBay and general unpleasantness, I discovered that there seriously are no basic products for small women. Clothes, bikes, workout equipment, undergarments, even cars don’t really fit. Pathetic.

Finally, after lots of research I found a bicycle that matched my requirements. And I am happy to say that I love me my bike. Yessirree, yes, I do. More on this later.

Riding my bike got me thinking that hunting around in frustration for something most people take for granted not only sucks, but is part of my every day as a small woman. Sitting on my bike, pedaling merrily and scanning the city landscape, I realized - I’m not the only small chick out there.

So, in the interests of helping my fellow petite chicks, of all ages, I’m going to build something that will give us a single place to go to find what we need. It’s going to be dedicated to women’s issues, as before, but focusing on small women. Still political, still active (as opposed to passive) and still positive.

Are you under 5′4″ (which to me is pretty tall)? You will find what you need here. We will cater not only to the very slender and small, but to the regularly proportioned and small in all product categories.

Tell me what you’re looking for. I’ll tell you what I’m looking for and share what I’ve found.

Hey - I’ve got the Internet, a phone, and plans. It’s not just about frocks that fit. It’s about forgetting about fitting and getting on with it already.

Please keep an eye on this space. It’s going to change a LOT. I’m going toss around ideas and talk about my adventures as I get it off the ground. If you’ve got suggestions - please do send them my way because they can only help!