From Aly…
All I can say is that I am so glad that every day brings new hope and a sense of everything being under control again. I can confidently say that yesterday was one of the most stressful I have ever experienced in the week leading up to Styleaid.
At 7 am I had no jewellery for one of the sections, the designer had not been able to deliver. By 9.30 I had jewellery and 2 very happy designers who will bend over backwards to deliver for Friday.
Many thanks to Lisa and Candice from Grace + Scarper and Penni for the contact.
I have no photographs for the first section, another let down. A quick think and I am on the phone to Ivan Shaw, photographer. Not a problem Aly, thanks Ivan!
Now I faced the dreaded task [which involves white paint] my garden has been turned into a jungle and there is mess everywhere. It even sent my beloved John into a panic as we tried everything to make this project work. By nightfall the solution had been found and there was control again.
Thanks to Dragana for coming round and helping. In amongst all of this there were phone calls and emails to deal with. I had also to find out where the other half of the bather section had disappeared to, I need to do the remainder of the fittings………where are they???
Anyone out there knows the whereabouts of 8 pairs of Lushlife bathers call me!! Still waiting for designers to get back to me…. I thought we did the fittings 2 ½ weeks ago…hmmmm.
Then the dreaded phone call which sent us all into a spin, a designer has pulled out and I have to find 9 men’s outfits in amongst all this chaos…………I felt physically sick. Menswear designed in WA is not an easy one, I phoned a large surf wear company, just some boardies would do, I pleaded. Not their market was the reply, I couldn’t understand what irreparable damage this would do to their company, I was dumbfounded by the answer. Has fashion really got this serious?…….where’s the fun gone?
By nightfall we had found the answer, many thanks to Sean Lofts for his quiet and understanding response to my query. I think I may have been screaming at this point. Material Boy will now dress the WA Ballet. Hooray!!
I listen to the parade music from time to time; this gives me the strength to carry on as when I hear track # 18 on Friday night it will all be over………..
Fittings went well with Material Boy, thanks Mark for helping at the last minute; I had 10 gorgeous boys in my lounge. I was beginning to feel better. Satya [saviour to the Aly May] came round and helped me cut out the opening section pieces and the accessories for another section. 2 more ticks off the list!!!
These will be delivered this morning to my friends the Swoops who are doing a bit of sewing for me.
Pia Bennett, designer, turned up amongst all of this to hand in her fitting sheets, I think she was a little shocked at all the madness and even she got stuck and helped cut out some of the fabric. Meanwhile my darling John is busy in the kitchen cooking a roast. God I love people……..
My house looks as if I have just had a really bad party, TRASHED! So, up early this morning, get some more paperwork done and a few early emails and do the dishes.
My new ‘to do’ list is done for the day, only half a page, or is it more as I did it in tiny handwriting? Ever faithful daughter Holly has her ‘to do’ list as well.
Checked on the blog this morning to read Marks latest one. Surprise as I see some comments to read. My sisters in the UK, Lesley and Tig have sent in comments. Oh wow even my family so far away are involved…what is this thing called StyleAID that get’s into our lives? Thanks guys and see you in October.
Better get on with it, who knows what today will bring………roll on Friday, only 2 more sleeps.