FIRST LOOK: GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Giuseppe Zanotti $1,450

Ahhh.. admist the hustle and bustle of summer.. Fall fashions are hitting the store! I love the summertime.. Truly, I do.. but I sooooo look forward to Fall! Dressing in Fall fashions really seperates the fashionista from the fashion fail.. It requires thought and unquestionable style to layer and pair your ensemble.  Summertime is relatively easy but Fall, not so much. I always have a jump on what will be hot in the coming seasons because that's how the fashion industry works. I see conceptual collections and trend reports about a year before it actually hits stores.

One thing that will be big for Fall is the detail: golden hardware. Is this new? Not really.. Gucci has had it on the runway for the last few seasons but I think it is really going to explode with footwear designers for Fall 2012. The Zanotti boot that is pictured above is a great example of how this detail will shut the shoe game down for the upcoming season. The golden plate is covering a lot of square footage. Lol. More so, than usual.. It appears to be less than a simple aesthetic detail. It is prime real estate ON the shoe. Dare I say, the FOCAL POINT of the shoe.

Will you be wearing golden hardware on your feet this Fall?

DREAM. BELIEVE. CREATE.

To take a page from the gospel of Biggie: It was all a dream.. I used to read fashion magazines..

Those who know me will laugh at the mere fact that I started this blog with a rap lyric yet at the same time they won't be surprised. The journey to this moment has been filled with numerous obstacles and many setbacks.. Yet, the story of Kemistre Boutique is less about struggle and more about hope.  Our story is one of hope because we are a true testament to the power of God. I launched this business in the middle of a recession when people advised against it. They called me crazy! I financed this business with NO bank loan, NO investors, and NO grants. They said it couldn't be done! I have no business degree. I went to school for fashion and while the fashion industry is very abstract, the business world is much more concrete. They said I'd never be able to pull it off! Yet, here we are opening our very first store in SouthWest Center Mall.. 

When I ponder on the journey, I can honestly say that if I had it to do again, there are several things that I would do differently. However, I have no regrets. Life is one great teacher.. I've learned a lot about business but more so than anything, I've learned a great deal about myself. I've encountered fear on many occasions throughout this journey and surprisingly, it has never been enough to stop me. Contrary to popular opinion, I believe that the most accomplished people in the world are not fearless. They are simply people who have decided that there is something so much greater than fear and that is HOPE! I've never had all the answers.. I've never had all the connections.. but what I did have was a big God, a big dream and a dynamic team who trusted my vision. Shonedra came on board with an expertise in customer service & Savoyia came on board as a true marketing/branding guru. I am most thankful for them because their input has been invaluable.

Yesterday, while at Target, I came across a sign that said: Dream. Believe. Create. In my opinion, the verbiage couldn't be more appropriate. That's exactly how it happens.. I had a dream for Kemistre... I believed in Kemistre.. and then I made it my endeavor to create Kemistre.. As I write this blog, I would like to thank those who have supported Kemistre but more so than anything, I would like to speak directly to the dreamers. I would like to give to you that which has been given to me and it is this:

1. Don't wait for the right time to pursue your dreams because it will never come. Just start from where you are and use whatever you have.
2. Devise a plan and then work the plan. If you're plan isn't working, devise a new plan. Don't be committed to riding a thing 'til the wheels fall off' if you can see that you are not being progressive!
3. Always trust your gut instincts. It's what God gave you.
4. Don't sweat the small stuff. Small things have a way of working themselves out... This I promise!
5. Maintain strong integrity. Don't EVER try to hustle the people that work for you or with you. If you go hard for others, they will go hard for you! Trust within your team will carry you a very long way!
6. Everything is negotiable. And I do mean everything.
7. Anticipate problems. Setbacks will occur. Over long periods of time, growing weary may occur but don't quit! Celebrate small victories and stay inspired!
8. Stay Focused. Distractions will always present themselves.
9. Knowledge is power. Whereas ignorance is a burden.. Always do your homework! 
10. Trust God and PRAY often. Need I say more?

I have so much more that I can share.. I could give dreamers 200+ tips but I have a store to open today so please accept the mere 10 that I offer up. The last 2 weeks of my life have been filled with hardships and problems. A contractor didn't complete work in the store, our computer system crashed, our POS system lost all of the inventory that it took me 3 days to enter and the bracket for the TV mount didn't fit so the TV has yet to be mounted to the wall. My bank account was frauded so a substantial amount of money was frozen in my account until a claim could be processed so I didn't have access to money that I desperately needed. The sign company messed up the sign that should have gone over the entry to our store. As a result, its arrival is delayed and we will have no sign for our opening. The DVD with our media for the flat screen arrived damaged and will not play, the thermal receipt printer will not connect to the operating system, the phone company messed up our service order, merchandise that was due in-store has been lost in transit from the vendor and this isn't even half of the things that I've dealt with but again I say.. our story is less about struggle and more about hope!

Kemistre was built from HOPE.. Kemistre has been sustained by HOPE.. and Kemistre will always be the poster child for HOPE! When you enter Kemistre Boutique today, just know that God  has blessed us immensely and HOPE has carried us along the way! Whatever your dreams may be.. always HOPE FOR THE BEST, LOVE YOURSELF, HAVE FAITH, BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS and BE LEGENDARY!

I've received many texts this morning congratulating me on the opening of my store and praising me for my tireless efforts and to that I say: All of the Glory belongs to God, only the mistakes have been mine!

Love, Peace & Shoes!

Krystal

SEEN ON THE SCENE: KIM KARDASHIAN IN GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Kim Kardashian was spotted at Paris Fashion Week yesterday rocking Giuseppe Zanotti by Kanye West. When the picture of the shoe was released, I can honestly say that I was on the fence. I was intrigued by the design but at the same time, I loathed it. Perhaps, it would be fitting to say that I had a love/hate relationship with the shoe.

Now, I can say with reasonable certainty that I LOATHEEEEEEEEEEE this shoe. Maybe I just needed to see it on a person's foot. Whatever the case may be, it's doing way too much. It looks like her foot has been swallowed by a white fungus yet her toes managed to escape. It's very over the top but then again.. Kanye is rather EXTRA himself.. so it all seems quite fitting.

$5,800 - Giuseppe Zanotti by Kanye West

SHOE FIX: HALLE BERRY LAUNCHES SHOE LINE

Halle showcased her ’5th Avenue by Halle Berry’ collection in Germany this week! You would expect Halle’s line to consist of ultra chic heels but that is not so. ’5th Avenue by Halle Berry’ uses a mix of medium to low heels.

“Women have always loved shoes. It’s like if your hair is not right and your shoes are not right, the woman is not right.  If both of them are right, you’re pretty much OK.” said Halle. She continued “And shoes are a statement. They can be very sexy; they can say something about where you are in the day; they can say what your mood is; they give you a chance to accessorize.  And I’m a girl that loves to change my shoes all the time. It’s an expression of who you are really. I’m a girl if I find a shoe that I really like I like to get them in all colors. I’m big on that.”

We're not quite sure why Berry chose to launch a line with Deichmann, a brand we'll admit we've never heard of. We're also not so clear on why Berry would have a shoe collection to begin with, seeing as she's not famous for being high heel-crazy (like some stars we know), nor is she known for her remarkable red carpet footwear... Oh well.. we can't wait to catch a sneak peek of the collection!

SHOE FIX: HALLE BERRY LAUNCHES SHOE LINE

Halle showcased her ’5th Avenue by Halle Berry’ collection in Germany this week! You would expect Halle’s line to consist of ultra chic heels but that is not so. ’5th Avenue by Halle Berry’ uses a mix of medium to low heels.

“Women have always loved shoes. It’s like if your hair is not right and your shoes are not right, the woman is not right.  If both of them are right, you’re pretty much OK.” said Halle. She continued “And shoes are a statement. They can be very sexy; they can say something about where you are in the day; they can say what your mood is; they give you a chance to accessorize.  And I’m a girl that loves to change my shoes all the time. It’s an expression of who you are really. I’m a girl if I find a shoe that I really like I like to get them in all colors. I’m big on that.”

We're not quite sure why Berry chose to launch a line with Deichmann, a brand we'll admit we've never heard of. We're also not so clear on why Berry would have a shoe collection to begin with, seeing as she's not famous for being high heel-crazy (like some stars we know), nor is she known for her remarkable red carpet footwear... Oh well.. we can't wait to catch a sneak peek of the collection!

SHOE COLLAB: Perez Hilton + Shoedazzle

Perez Hilton has joined the queue of celebs wanting to try their hand at footwear design and has created two exclusive styles for Shoedazzle. The shoes: a pair of silver hi-top trainers and a wild studded party heel are both being sold for a non-profit, as 100% of proceeds will benefit Gay equality charity Stonewall. 

As you'd expect from the flamboyant Perez there is a lot of sparkle and shine going on in both designs. The unisex trainer (which he is wearing in the photo above) is made from high shine metallic, with silver-toned studs and decorative zip detailing around the edges for an extra dazzle.

I'm not a big Perez Hilton fan and really feel that Shoedazzle could have found someone else to make a design debut. When I heard about this collaboration, I immedately gave the blank stare but now that I have seen the product, I must be honest.. I don't hate the two styles.

CHIC AWARENESS: TRACY REESE GIVES BACK

Designer, Tracy Reese teamed up with Fashion Fights Cancer to offer shoppers a last minute opportunity to give the gift of hope for the holidays.

Reese designed a colorful canvas bag with bright floral blossoms that is perfect for any fashionista! 100% of the proceeds from the $40 limited edition tote will go directly to FFC. The plan for the money is just as fabulous as the bag itself. The non-profit organization will use the funds raised to create fashion and design-oriented therapeutic programs for cancer patients, as well as, a therapeutic center in New York City. Programs for the participants include sewing, beading, knitting, pattern making, garment construction and clothing design classes.

And in celebration of the project, Reese hosted a make-your-own tote bag session for cancer patients and survivors at her NYC showroom.

Kudos to Tracy Reese!