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With 84 days, 2016 hours, 120,960 minutes, 7,257,600 seconds, another day in my life I am sure to remember forever: MY WEDDING.

I am finally on my way to creating that spectacular day. Whilst I have to admit that I am not the typical bride, getting
caught up in all sorts of Bridemania, I am certainly doing my homework. And with the bridal industry being what it is, there is plenty to read, do, research, make, find, buy and get. I am trying to narrow my search and create...]]> http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/10/wedding_planning.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/10/wedding_planning.php Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:24:10 -0500
Me and a fashion show guest!

By the beginning of next week I will have clocked in 40 hours of air travel. Granted, it's over a period of three weeks -- but anyone willing to travel that many hours better have an excuse to do so, and I do.

First stop: Columbus, Ohio. I've come to realize that with Season 3 of Project Runway, the territory of OHIO, belongs to Ms. Angela Kesslar, but it was the Charity Habitat for Humanity that let me have full reign of the area for the weekend. I put on a Fashion Show to benefit the aforementioned charity.

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On the Friday of my departure I lugged four garment bags, with enough garments to clothe a army of fashionista's down Broadway. And it was only at the offering of a kind gentleman, who happened to recognize me from "that show," that...]]> http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/10/on_the_road_again.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/10/on_the_road_again.php Tue, 03 Oct 2006 14:46:21 -0500 When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. Armed with my wallet, credit cards and fiance, I headed into the streets of Manhattan with one mission: SHOP ‘TIL I DROP!

This time round was not for the purposes of research, looking, touching and inspecting every floor from couture to Ts, but purely for the joy of purchasing! I sound a little over-enthused, but having retuned with an armful of shopping bags, I'm in the giddy haze us ladies and gents find ourselves in when we have careened and searched every corner of every store, and found EXACTLY what we've been looking for. Miraculous … NO. Knowing where to shop ...YES!

First I need to let you in on my key essentials -- the "stuff" (translate: crap) that I carry around wherever I go (translate: handbag).

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I have two favorite emerging designers’ handbags, you'll almost always likely to see me carrying: Ananas by Jennifer Lagdameo and http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/nothing_like_retail_therapy.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/nothing_like_retail_therapy.php Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:16:22 -0500 Looking back at the last year, I can't help but think about the years leading up toward where I stand right now -- I just happened to be standing in the garment center, one block away from my factory, when I paused and really took a long, hard look at the years gone by.

I tend to talk about time quite frequently, but I'm a firm believer that everything has its time and it's place, and that the universe will give to you what you need, when you need it. And that doesn't necessarily mean, when we choose it.

My business began some four years ago, it was a decision based on passion and need, and little else for the concerns and decisions that lay ahead of me.

I often get asked from young designers and professionals entering the business "How do I start, and what do I do?" There is no clear formula, and rather I tell them that...]]> http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/agony_ecstasy.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/agony_ecstasy.php Tue, 22 Aug 2006 09:47:20 -0500 I grew up watching "The Bold and the Beautiful," a soap opera I can vividly remember. South Africa at the time had three channels, and whilst the rest of the world got to watch the Discovery channel, I got involved in the lives of Brooke and Ridge, their trials and tribulations, their undying love and of course their part in the mega-empire Fashion House -- Forrester Creations.

What I don't remember is having any of the characters actually going to work, or working at the mega-corporation for that matter. I don't recall ever seeing them battling it out with their manufacturers to get their product finished on time, or having a meltdown because UPS didn't deliver on time.

It was clear to me then that those in fashion looked at sketchbooks and had multiple kids, with multiple partners.

Now the point of my observation is not to reminisce and speculate as to how their...]]> http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/bold_and_beautiful.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/bold_and_beautiful.php Wed, 09 Aug 2006 21:28:25 -0500 Tonight I drew out a calendar for the month of August. Things move so quickly in fashion, and for some reason or another time speeds by even faster in the city. But before we jump ahead, let’s bounce back a few feet.

Me and Emmett

The trunkshow last week was fantastic! The crowds came out to shop..........
look
gossip
and gawk....
I've recently introduced a tunic version of the kimono, which was tried and tested, and, well, passed with flying colors! So it's all a go, with the quiet evolution of the kimono.

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Friday came and went, as did Saturday and Sunday, but not without a fair amount of research. I've never quite realized how many sections of Barnes and Noble one can cover in a day, but when you got a lot on your...]]> http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/trunk_show_triumph.php http://www.bravotv.com/blog/karasblog/2006/08/trunk_show_triumph.php Tue, 01 Aug 2006 17:33:57 -0500 The first time I came to NYC was 12 years ago. I was visiting with my family, and it was then I officially decided that I love NY and would be returning. It's also the first time I got to see the inside of the NBC Studios. We took the typical tour, I played weatherman, clapped on cue and walked around in complete awe, thinking: “Maybe one day….”

Now, there are few things in life that make a girl’s dreams come true. One is finding the man of her dreams and getting married, which I'm well on my way to becoming (but we'll get to that). The second is being invited into the NBC Studios, and being officially -- yes, officially -- asked to write a weekly blog. Now, I know the line: "Dreams do come true" can sound trite -- but there is no greater moment and no better time in my life when this saying is so accurate.