DEAR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND POTENTIAL SUPPORTERS, WELCOME TO SAMANTHA COLE LONDON'S INDIEGOGO PAGE!!!!!
If your here its because your either in my network of AB FAB friends, fans, supportive family or just browsing through considering who to support. Well, this is a really good place to start.....
MY STORY.....
Im a Fashion Designer with a passion for combining Art, Fashion & Technology into my collections. The label was officially set up in 2008 and since it's humble beginnings Ive been;
- Awarded Best Womenswear Designer during New York Fashion Week for my 2009 Collection
- Nominated for Innovation in Design in 2009 at AAFW in Johannesburg, SA
- Nominated for International Emerging Female Designer 2010 at International Fashion Week in Johannesburg, SA
- BEFFTA Award nominee for Best Female Designer 2009 & 2010
- Officially Sponsored by London Fashion Week's On/Off to showcase as "One to Watch"
- Mark Holgate of American Vogue is quoted as saying Im one of Britains Fashion Forward Designers.
- Featured in Italian Vogues "TALENTS of 2010".....
The awards and acknowledgements have been great but as a creative what inspires and encourages my passion is the constant need to find new and innovative ways to combine my love of Art, Technology and Fashion.
Ive barely scratched the surface and constantly finding enjoyment in the journey of discovery and how best to apply this to my work.
Im constantly amazed at what technology provides in creating new innovative techniques, ideas, methodology in fibres that allow us to manipulate, enhance, construct, build and mould fabrics into shapes that allow people such as myself to be constantly inspired.
My style may be a little left field for some but this is who I am as a designer and these are the things that make me love what I do....
WHAT IM LOOKING FOR?
Im currently in the process of preparing my first full mini collection to be presented in February, its not as innovative as I would like it to be but Im pleased to be-able to introduce some new fabrics to the range.
Some of the materials are coming from an award winning European designer not known for fashion but his materials will give the collection some structure whilst maintaining its female empowering silhouettes.
I am currently looking to raise $4,000.
It does seem like quite a mountain to climb in such a short time but I do believe with your generous support it will be possible.
Your contribution will help provide the fabrics, other materials and help produce the collection and if by some miracle we exceed the required amount, 40% (Forty Percent) of all additional funds will go towards a registered childrens charity. I will accept recommendations and narrow them down to the top 5 and the majority vote selected by you (contributors) will receive the funds. The rest will go towards marketing and promotional material.
WHAT YOU GET OUT OF IT!!!!
To be completely honest I find it uncomfortably weird asking money from people I know, more so from people that I don't but when I stumbled upon Indiegogo and read what they were about I was pleasantly surprised.
Its not a charity or investment, its about giving people such as myself an opportunity to raise funds and offer supporters some great things in exchange for their contribution.
Every gift has a reward attached to it no matter how small the gift.
SOME REWARDS HAVE JUST BEEN CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN like the never before seen sketches of my work along with a close-up of one of them being printed onto a canvas shopper bag and the warrior t-shirt which will also be hand-embellished after its been printed giving it that all important personal final touch.
Also the DVD copy of the show where all supporters get a mention in the credits will also be seen when viewed on my website.....thought it would be a nice added touch :)
I do apologise for the lack of creativity for my male supporters but Im sure you have sisters, niece's, cousin's and partners that I hope will appreciate any one of the Design Packages.
I've given it much thought so check out the rewards bar to the right and you can see what's being offered along with updates from behind the scenes leading up to the show and my thoughts after the show.
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP
As you know, word of mouth is the most effective marketing tool. Referral is the most effective gift that just keeps on giving so spread the word to all your friends, family and networks and link this page to your facebook, myspace, twitter accounts etc.
......and finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all in advance for your kind and generous support!!!
Photo Credits:
Rebecca Litchfield Photography (white image)
Melissa Jenkins (pleated blouse image)