A day in the life of a designer
November?
Wasn’t November the month that flew by? But, actually come to think of it hasn’t the whole of this year!?
November started with Bonfire night. I love bonfire night and always go to the fireworks at Wimbledon if I can, because they are fantastic there. Then it was my mum’s birthday, followed by our development trip to Hong Kong. A week spent developing styles for next Autumn/Winter 2010-Wow, how we wish/ work our lives away!
Myself, Carly, Deborah and Andrea – the LTS design team spent a week trawling around factories in Hong Kong working on designs with them. (Then we have spent the last month praying that they will come in ok) Each factory has its own strength and it’s our job to work with these strengths and develop a fully comprehensive range. It’s not perfect but every year we hope it gets better and that you like more of it, and figures indicate that we are going in the right direction.
It’s been a real challenge taking on Canada too as now we have even more tall people to please but we are looking forward to it.
I ended November in full Christmas panic, the range was put into work and we just had to wait for the samples to come in but in my personal life I had to begin the huge task of buying Christmas presents- Ahhhhh! With over 80 to buy it’s like a military campaign, it has to be well thought out and tackled in such a manner.
To relieve my Christmas stress I went with some friends to see The Bangkok lady boys in the Mile High show at Leamington Spa. I have to say they were side achingly funny and I was incredibly jealous of their fabulous figures….
Posted at 02:45PM Dec 16, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
Top of the class
On my way to work this morning, bleary eyed and in need of a strong cappuccino I noticed an article in the paper that caught my eye: “Meet Britain’s tallest schoolgirl”
The article was focused on 16 year old school girl Emma Cahill whom at 6”5 truly embraces her height: “I’m really proud to be this tall. I like being a bit different but I think I’m still growing”
I think it’s great to see such a young girl welcome her tall frame. Although, she does mention that all of her clothes are made abroad because she can’t find anywhere on the high street which will accommodate her 36” legs- She really needs a trip to LTS! We would be able to sort her out and stock up her wardrobe with gorgeous goodies.
And the tallest girl in Britain is hoping she still has a bit of growing to do.
'I am really proud to be the tallest schoolgirl. I like being a bit different,' she said. 'I'd like to grow an extra inch to catch up with my Dad.'
It just makes such a refreshing change to see someone so young stand proud about their height and enjoy the fact that they are different.
I think my favourite quote has to be: 'I'll probably always be bigger than anyone I go out with but I'll still wear heels.'
Emma you rock!
Image Source: SWNS
Posted at 03:55PM Nov 23, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
Goodwood– it’s not easy buying vintage when you are tall.
This year we had tickets for the Goodwood revival, but what to wear was obviously the challenge. The dress code was 1946 to 1966 however when you are not average height finding vintage is not easy.
I have a collection of vintage which I dug out of the cupboard. I decided the 1950’s bathing costumes weren’t suitable with the current weather forecast and my cellulite. So, I tried on all the dresses, which somehow no longer seemed to fit my slender waist (Hint of sarcasm there) and although they were all waisted styles they seemed to be empire line on me. Also, I could no longer cram my feet into my size six vintage shoes having strangely gone up two sizes when I reached 30.
After some deliberation and consultation of the weather forecast, which was poor, I decided on a sensible tweed suit (Once worn by my mother to ride her bike- obviously she isn’t vertically challenged either!) a pair of sensible brogues to secure comfort whilst traipsing around all day and a nice little felt hat and umbrella- All I needed to do was change my name to Maude!
So on the day we pottered off to Goodwood in our tweeds prepared for bad weather. By lunchtime the temperature must have reached thirty degrees and I was roasting in my tweeds, sheltering under a tree with my friends and using my umbrella as a parasol against the glaring sun.
However it was a fabulous day out with a stunning vintage market and glorious cars. Lots of cake, tea, gin, jazz dancing and glorious planes. Apart from the usual but always fabulous flypast from some spitfires, I had my first viewing of a flypast by a Vickers Vimmy which was so slow I managed to eat a piece of fruit cake whilst it did a circuit of the track.
It’s a day out I would definitely recommend, I thought I did really well as I didn’t open my purse once at the vintage market despite temptation. Although, it could still prove to be an expensive day as my boyfriend is now desperate for a vintage car.
Posted at 11:19AM Nov 09, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (0)
A very sparkly time
To celebrate Mike and I moving into our new pad we decided to throw a housewarming party for all our friends and family.
I decided that we needed to have a theme I mean let’s face it all the best parties are fancy dress- So, much to Mike’s dismay I chose “sparkles”.
I couldn’t wait to get my costume sorted! If I’m honest there was reason behind my madness, I’ve had my eye on the LTS Boutique Aliciat dress for quite some time now and the party was the perfect opportunity for its first showcase.
So, Saturday came and I was so excited to get the party started and wear my new dress and even if I do say so myself, it was a hit! I think I managed to convince a few of my shorter friends that they needed this dress in their lives too.
After lots of dancing and one too many cocktails, it was time for bed. Unfortunately, I think I went to bed before most of the guests even left- opps!
All in all it was a great night but I’m not looking forward to cleaning up- I suppose all the best parties are the messiest!
Posted at 03:55PM Nov 03, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
A day in the life of a designer
Thank god for wellies! 
After two weeks back home I was desperate for a bit of sun. Why did I go to Argentina in the Winter whilst England had its short-lived heat wave? So off we head to Devon for a long weekend full of fish and chips and cream tea. It got off to a bad start, it rained all the way and there was terrible traffic and some hideous accidents. We narrowly escaped an exploding roof box, a few cars in front which left a shiny pink parka with a white fur trim in the middle of the fast lane. The sad little girl it belonged to watching from the window of her parent’s car. But as we drew into Somerset and drew up to my favorite tea shop the sun came out and I was able to eat apple cake and clotted cream in the garden in bright sunshine. And that’s what we had for the next two days glorious sunshine. But it’s England and it just couldn’t last, by Sunday the rain couldn’t hold back any longer and out came our waterproofs.
English Summers have become a complete fashion conundrum. What does one wear? Thank God, Wellington boots are back in fashion! What would we do without Wellington boots in the 21st century? I wear them for walks in the country, walking to work, at festivals. They're a must and I even saw someone walking through Holborn in them with a really neat tailored black shift dress and I have to say she looked great although I really think she needs a fold up rain hat to finish the look off.
Posted at 02:22PM Oct 19, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (1)
Tall celebrities
What is it with the latest celebrity “du jour” and their insecurities about their height?! US actress and star of hit TV show Gossip Girl; Blake Lively is the latest to voice her concerns. It turns out the 21 year old actress is very self conscious about her height and fears men find her towering stature intimidating.
“I feel like a tranny (Transvestite) a lot of the time," the 5-foot-10 star told a recent US magazine "I don't know, I'm ... large? They (The shows producers) put me in six-inch heels, and I tower over every man. I've got this long hair and lots of clothes and makeup on."
The glamorous actress goes on to admit that her tall frame has made her feel unattractive:
"I just feel really big a lot of the time, and I'm surrounded by a lot of tiny people," she adds. “I feel like a man sometimes.”
Personally, I find it extremely sad that someone of such a young age has these huge insecurities about their height. I suppose it’s this kind of attitude that makes people feel as if any differences in society are wrong, but surely it’s better to stand out than just merely fit in?
After all there are so many successful, tall women in the world. Isn’t it better to be looked over than to be overlooked?
What do you think?
Posted at 02:20PM Oct 02, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (12)
We are each our own worst critics. Of course when you are tall like me, personal nitpicking comes easily, unfortunately. I'll be 39 in a month, I'm a mom to a 4 year old and we have just escaped with our lives from having spent 7 days in Algonquin Provincial Park interior camping. (We had a bear in our campsite)
My husband was making one of his super delicious dishes of French onion soup and needed a bottle of red. Oh joy! I was sent on a mission to the vintage section of our local liquor store wearing zero makeup and still very much smelling of campfire.
Cart blissfully full I got in line to pay. Ahead of me was a very tall chick with the most outrageous colourful outfit on wearing the most blank austere look upon her face. I was fascinated and tried to keep from staring. She wasn't attractive per say but her 12 different neon adornments she had precariously draped over and around her were really something to behold.
Just then, from behind me in line, I heard a very cute muscle bound frat boy ask me how tall I was!!! I took a second to compose myself and as I realized that two very gorgeous much younger guys were hitting on me, the one dude went on to say that my 6'2 height looks very beautiful on me....yes tall gorgeous ladies, let's remember that even without makeup, being a mom at the ripe old age of 39 AND smelling like burnt wood, our height will attrack 'em everytime!...
Check out Long Tall Sally's newest collection - leather jackets, wink wink
Posted at 10:40AM Sep 10, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Carol" Comments (1)
Designer v High street
I’ve got to admit I’ve always been a high street girl, I suppose working at LTS has confirmed this! After all, there are so many collections that are equally edgy but you can’t tell the difference- So why pay the premium price tag?!
However, I must confess being tall can often be a hindrance in many high street stores as the latest looks generally don’t fit my long limbs!
That’s why I was so eager (I’m talking jumping up and down with excitement!) to see the new LTS Boutique collection. I’m always geared up when new stock hits the stores, especially this collection as it ticked so many boxes.
I love, love, love the Dhalia Floral frill front blouse paired with the Bryony skirt- very sexy secretary chic. I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Head office have worked hard creating such a well balanced but fashion forward range. This collection is as close to designer as you can get but with its own twist. I mean check out our version of the silver Gucci Jacket “Bryony”, the Marc Jacobs inspired check dress “Lily” and the Louis Vuitton zip coat “Snow drop”
Finally, as a tall girl, I can find fashionable, tall designer inspired clothes at a fraction of the cost- Hurrah!
Now what’s first on my shopping list…………………
Posted at 10:39AM Sep 01, 2009 by Long Tall Sally Admin in "Sam" Comments (0)
