In Fashion, these last few months of the year are crazy fun.  New York Fashion Week has come to an end (arent you excited for the boldness of Spring?), LA Fashion Week is coming up soon (in October), Fall 2009 styles are coming out in stores (yes, Allison Izu Fall 09 will be out there soon), and Spring 2010 styles are being finalized and sold to stores.  Yes, it’s a busy end of the year for us . . .

But for most of us designers, it’s the craziness that we live for - the mumbled creativity that comes out from perhaps lack of sleep and too much multi-tasking!

So what’s been keeping me up at night and pushing my creative buttons, you ask?  Well . . . lots of great press, the release of Fall 09 and the beginning of Spring 10 (which means planning great sales on the past seasons too!)  First things first, we will be featured in the upcoming release issue of Chromatic Magazine - which actually just went online, check it out at: http://www.chromaticmagazine.com/?p=160

Also, we will be featured in the Ala Moana Magazine, thanks to our friends at Split Obsession, who are now located on the ground level of Ala Moana (next to Goma Tei).  And BTW - they are celebrating their 3rd Year Anniversary at Hawaii Kai - this weekend!

And Cynthia Cheng of Prospere Magazine also featured Allison Izu for our friends in Canada . .  lots of petite followers there.  She featured the new Fall line as well as introduced the opening of the web store to all of Canada! read more here:  http://prospere-magazine.com/2009/09/24/allisonizupetitedenim/

But be on the lookout for some great October events, starting with a sidewalk sale at ADORE this weekend, get Allison Izu Spring 2009 denim for $99 and the Spring 2009 shorts for $79.  There is limited sizing, so hurry up and get there early Saturday!  If not, you can always check the online store - the prices will be the same this weekend.  And for orders of $99 or more - we’ll ship it to you for free!

And if you have time this Saturday night, the Butik is hosting a fashion show at Tsunami’s . . . you can get a sneak peek of Fall 09 styles!

And, yes, Fall 09 will be hitting stores by the middle of the month.  I’m planning events with the boutiques right now.  So keep a look out for the emails . . .

April has already been a crazy filled month (and we’re only half way through!) But so far, we have successfully gotten through a great fashion show, a part of the Fashion Week at PEARL Ultralounge!  We’ve also moved into final stages of production for the Spring 2009 line, and also planning some AMAZING Launch parties to bring the Spring 09 line to all of you!

First things first, you HAVE to check out the Fashion Show on YOU TUBE.  I posted one, with IMF Visions help (thannks IMF)  and our fashion friend, Nadine Kam, has also posted one of the complete Saturday night!  (thanks Nadine!)  Here’s the link:  Allison Izu Spring 2009 Fashion Show and for Nadine\’s .  Check it out and lemme know your thoughts!  Heehee!

OK, now you’re probably wondering, ‘how will i be able to get my petite hands on your new spring line?  i heard its full of great new styles, shorts, knickers, jeans, oh my!’  Well, dont you worry - Here’s all the information you’ll need!

The ULTIMATE Release Event is hosted by The Wedding Cafe and our great friends Tanna & Bryson.  It’s on April 21, 2009 (Tuesday) from 6 PM to 9 PM.  It’ll be a great party, not to mention, you’ll be the first to snag the spring line and we’ll also be offering 50% OFF the Fall 08 line!  And you’ll receive an Allison izu logo tank top with Spring 09 denim purchase, while supplies last!

If you cant make this one, or you go home and realize you should have bought that other pair of shorts, then here are some other event dates!

April 24th (Friday) at the Butik from 6 PM to 8 PM, April 25th (Saturday) at ADORE in Kahala Mall from 11 AM to 1 PM and then at Split Obsession from 2 PM to 4 PM. That’s right friends, a fun-filled Allison Izu packed weekend!  Can you handle it?  (more importantly, can i?!)

And FYI - The line up of styles is as follows:

The Kolohe Welt (back by popular demand, the skinny jean, re-done for Spring).

The Luana-lulu (a fusion of two favorites, the Honolulu and the Luana - a great trouser pant!)

The Luana Short, a great “walking short”, done up all hip and cute! 

The Kolohe Cropped, a super skinny cropped with fun button detailing.

and The Manini Short, already a fast favorite of mine, super cute & comfy for day or night!

OK - so I hope I’ll be seeing you at one or more upcoming Allison Izu events.  I cant wait to help you find the perfect Spring petite denim for you.  And, as always, I’m here for you, let me know your thoughts, comments, ANYTHING!  peas!

So Spring 2009 is currently in production, I am working to get this line out and into the hands of my petite sisters by mid-April.  But before then, I want you all to actually see the line, that’s why, we as fashion designers do Fashion Shows.  Personally, I love Fashion Shows, even though it’s a lot of work, I love the creativity and challenge of it.  And this next one will not disappoint!

I am fortunate enough to share the stage (ahem, bar) with other amazing local designers, Fighting Eel, Roberta Oaks, Maggie Coulombe, Martinique, etc.  So join all of us, at PEARL for a week-long event.

My show will be on April 4, Saturday at 10 PM at PEARL Ultralounge.  So please join us, and on Sunday - I’ll be selling my Fall 08 line at deep discounts with some of my fellow designers at PEARL.

It was a great and crazy weekend, but quite enjoyable I have to say.  First of all, the private sale was a nice success, a lot of friendly faces attended and got in on some great deals!  And I have to extend my thanks to Dawn Sakamoto from Watermark Publishing for all of her help with the rsvp’ing.  I must admit, I didnt think the whole, ‘I’ll text you the room number’, idea through and I got bombarded with rsvp’s.  And so Dawn came to my rescue and offered use of the Ultimate Shopping Mobile Club’s texting abilities, (ask and you shall receive!)

So I want to let you all in on this great offer, it’s in addition to Kathryn Drury Wagner’s book, the Ultimate Guide to Shopping on O’ahu, and it basically texts you deals and info about shopping here in Hawaii.  Too perfect for words if you ask me!  So if you want to join go to this link and add your mobile number: http://talismanlbs.net/ultimateshop/register

And speaking of the Ultimate Guide to Shopping, I will be sitting on their panel (yes, lil ol me on a panel!  i feel so professional!) on March 26, Thursday, for the Shop Ale’a event at Barnes and Noble Ala Moana from 5 PM, we’ll be discussing “local chic”, it’ll be fun - so stop by if you can!

Another great upcoming event for Allison Izu, is the ADORE one year anniversary on March 21 Saturday, from 12 to 5 PM.  I’ll be there with great deals on Allison Izu denim (25% OFF), an Allison Izu logo tank top gift with purchase (while supplies last) and FREE giveaways.

ADORE is also releasing their new girl’s line called ADORE ME and their Spring 09 line of their signature line ADORE, a collection of comfortable, and fashionable knits.  There will also be mini red velvet cupcakes from Hokulani Bakery and chocolates from Godiva (get there before I get to the cupcakes  - i heart red velvet!)  Also, Midori Jewelry is showing their new signature ADORE line and Marsha Nadalin is giving a 15% OFF certificate with any purchase that day.  WOAH!  now that’s an anniversary party!

And trust me, I got so much more in store for all of you . . . I’m moving and shaking my petite derier, and as always, I’m here for you, so email me, blog me, facebook me, text me, whatevers - I’d love to hear from you!

For those of you, “in the know”, you know this Allisonizu line of petite premium denim has been a long time coming.  But I must reassure you that IT IS COMING! (no really, it is!)

I must say the wait, the journey, and all of the craziness was well worth it, to know the line I always dreamed of is finally a reality.  My journey brought me face to face with all the trials and tribulations of manufacturing, but like they always say - YOU LIVE AND LEARN; and I really did.  It made me realize that I will not settle for OK or average, I only want the best manufacturer, the best fabric, the best details, trims, whatever; because this whole line is ME and it’s for YOU - so only the best is acceptable!  (Do you like the possible back pocket embroidery?  Like the color of thread?  Cause I do!)

So this is the inside scoop . . . I am finally IN production (as we speak!), it’s being made in California, with the very premium American-made Cone Denim.   The fit, has been fit, and fit and then re-fit and is up to the Allison Izu standards.  It’s a pair of denim that you can not only look good in but also feel good in, because its  Made in America - supporting out American economy and its totally sustainable!

So keep in touch, keep reading, and I’ll keep you totally informed - so you’re always “in the know”.  email me anytime (me@allisonizu.com) or post me a message at “the Petite Lounge blog”

And again, thanks for listening, thanks for the support and thanks for being there!

So as a true (petite) citizen of the earth, I feel it is my personal duty to do more for others and leave less of a footprint on the earth. I think the Dalai Lama says it best, ” Just as we should cultivate gentle and peaceful relations with our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of attitude towards the natural environment.” (Cant your hear me “OM-ing”?)

OK - so to make it easier for everyone to do something great for the environment, others and yourself; I’d like to invite all of you to an amazing event that I am lucky to be a part of!
Divas Doing Good is presenting the Green is the New Black event on August 12, 2008 (Tuesday).
It’s at the Waterfront at Aloha Tower (you know, the old Kapono’s), the party starts at 5:30 pm.

I’ll be there showing off my latest Fall 2008 line of petite denim along with some other amazing Divas, Fashionista’s Market, Split Obsession and Jessica’s Traveling Boutique. It’ll be FUN and it’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside! The cost is a mere $25, for a night of fashion shows, great food, drinks (of course - I’ll be there!), entertainment from Ben and Maila and giveaways! You can purchase tickets at the Ward Warehouse Wedding Cafe (say that 10 times fast!) and if you buy 5 tickets, you get the 6th for FREE. So round up your friends and do something good together (while partying your butts off!)

Divas Doing Good (enter your name as the “Diva”) is not a charity, it’s a lifestyle change. Their Mission Statement is “To raise awareness, to educate and nurture women, and to garner community support towards local, national, and international causes in hopes of building a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow for future generations. Our efforts will empower women to LOOK good, FEEL good, and DO good.”