Hello there! I thought it might be fun to do a mini tour of the new website and highlight some of my favorite features and give a little backstory to the design process! It was a labor of love and, like many things in retail, represents many long hours and in depth conversations over the tiniest details (you can thank Mr. Larson for spending countless hours chatting with me over coffee about things like fonts, studio lighting and branding). I literally spent months obsessing over the font choice for our main logo. Wow... Maybe I shouldn't have admitted that. So, without further ado... Here are a few of my favorite features:
Our first lookbook! I photographed, styled and designed this look book. Emma and Tessa helped with styling too. I've always wanted to design lookbooks for Red Velvet, but was a little intimidated at the potential time commitment of it. After jumping in it was SUCH a fun creative experience that I can't wait to keep doing them all year. In fact, we've already shot the lookbook *video* for our Spring Dress line which will be out in a few short weeks!
Dresses. I really can't tell you how much I love working with dresses. Whether they're vintage or my new line of original designs, I feel sentimental and magical about them. I love the styling process and get such fulfillment out of taking a diamond in the rough and styling it like a piece from this season.
GOOD news! Our four Red Velvet E-Courses are now set up so that when you purchase one you get an e-mail with login information (they're courses on private blogs) automatically sent to you! No more waiting when you purchase from the new site. YAY!
Speaking of E-Courses, this is a good time for me to announce my next two courses coming this Spring. In April I'll launch my first photography course in a series and in May Emma and I will launch our business e-course called "Dream Job" about creating your own dream career... it's intensive. Can't wait!
Shop by Trend: I love this section! It's a fun way to categorize trends that we're focused on each season. Things like Mad Men style dresses and Velvet. fun!
At the bottom of our About Page you'll see links to shop each Red Velvet Girl's favorite items in the shop. Here's a screen shot of my favorites. I love this feature because it's a great way for us to share our individual styles a little bit.
The site was designed %100 by me and formatted by our ridiculously adorable blue haired pal Corey Marie who now formats for FN Design.
Emma worked countless hours with me. It's hard to pinpoint her role because she really does everything, but one of her many talents is helping me catch my breath and enjoy each project rather than jumping straight to the next. She really is my source of balance. Thank you, Emma.
Well, thanks for reading my little shop tour! I'm so happy that our new shop matches the styling and brand of our local shop. They're the perfect pair....
Here's what you can expect from Red Velvet in the coming months: More fashion and accessories (both vintage and our own designs!), two new e-courses on photography and business and brand new paintings and art prints! Thanks for your support. We're living our dream and are delighted that you're a part of it too. XO, elsie
I can't wait to see what your new e-courses will be like, Elsie! Particularly the "Dream Job" business one. I loved Indie Biz 2.0 and learned so so much from you, Jill, and LA.
Congrats again! The work really shows, the website is gorgeous.
Can't wait to see the lookbook vid!
Posted by: Sarah | February 08, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Congrats the new web site looks amazing!! My favorite part is the page with each of your favorites on it. That is fantastic!!! Good luck and best wishes on making all of your dreams coming true!! And thanks for taking us along for the ride!!!
Posted by: Allison | February 08, 2011 at 01:09 PM
LADIES....it's AWESOME!!!!
Just been browsing arouns and I think I want to do 2 of your ecourses...
Oh...SO inspiring.
Thanks and goodluck with it all!
Char.x
Posted by: char | February 08, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Bought the gingham skirt today - my first Red Velvet purchase. Tickled pink at the cheap shipping costs, even in Ireland! Website is amazing. Good luck with it xo
Posted by: LolaDee | February 08, 2011 at 01:15 PM
I bought one of your e-courses yesterday...and I have already learned a lot-- just from first lesson:)...You really are an encouragement and a huge inspiration to me:)...Thanks, hun:)
xoxo, Krista
Posted by: krista smith | February 08, 2011 at 01:17 PM
Love the lookbook and shop favorites. Great selections! I know it must have been a lot of work!
Posted by: Mary | February 08, 2011 at 01:17 PM
You're new shop is so beautiful, thank you for sharing some of your favorite features.
I'd love to see your dresses have links to each of the sizes they are -- so I don't have to click in and be disappointed, oh this one is a small too. sigh.
:)
Posted by: kate | February 08, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Loving LOVING the new site!! Thanks for the tour! It's fun to see how it all came together.
xoxo
Talia Christine
http://taliachristine.blogspot.com
Posted by: Talia Christine | February 08, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Also, I'm super stoked that you designed the whole thing yourself. The design is spot on!!!
xo
Posted by: Talia Christine | February 08, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Wow, I'm so excited for you! The shop is great, and the website is so beautiful! I'm in love with how easy it is to navigate, and you've got some really lovely things. x
Posted by: Michelle of The Feather Den | February 08, 2011 at 01:23 PM
Oooh! I can't wait for the ecourses!!!
Posted by: Tracey | February 08, 2011 at 01:28 PM
I agree with you about typefaces. I just started my new blog (after taking your e-course!) and had such a hard time deciding on my header font. Your new shop really is amazing and I look forward to your new e-courses!
Posted by: sally mae | February 08, 2011 at 01:28 PM
It's REALLY MAGICAL!
When i first knew about Red Velvet, it was still RVA. seems to me like a humble little business of making sweet things to share with all the beautiful little people around the world.
But now, *poof!*
it has transformed into like a major worldwide business selling even more gorgeous things to even more beautiful people all around the globe.
I really forsee Red Velvet going global. Really. It's so amazing!
And it's extremely heartwarming that it's actually a family business involving almost everyone in the family. and of course the love of many friends.
Elsie, i seriously think this is gonna be something that your future descendents of many many generations will be seriously proud of. for a long long time.
Congratulations!
I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Caroline | February 08, 2011 at 01:35 PM
Cant wait for new paintings and prints!!
I love your new direction, but am still in love with your paintings!! : )
Posted by: Kristy | February 08, 2011 at 01:55 PM
it truly is awesome! i'm so happy and a teeny bit envious. right now something like this is just a dream..but you've shown with hard work it's attainable. great job!
Posted by: Brittany | February 08, 2011 at 01:56 PM
elsie, you are constantly amazing me with how much you do! i am super impressed. i love the new website design (i think the font was worth the long obsession period, you picked a lovely one)
the lookbook is so, so pretty and well put together.
congrats on everything, you guys work so hard so you deserve every bit of success that comes your way :) i can't wait to see the lookbook video and the dress line!
♥elycia
Posted by: elycia | February 08, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Oh Elsie! I think you just made every girl's dream come true! The website looks amazing! Huge congratulation! You are such a role model to me! :) Cannot wait for your photography course! In the meantime I think i'll purchase the blogger course next week! :D
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
P.S: I'm having a 100$ designer dress giveaway! Interested? :)
Posted by: Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries | February 08, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Wonderfully gorgeous website - congrats! I can't wait to dive in start shopping :)
http://www.thelateafternoon.com
Posted by: jaclyn | February 08, 2011 at 03:09 PM
wonderful website I love everything about it. It's so easy to use too.
oh and I love the font for your main logo, it's perfect.
Posted by: zelina | February 08, 2011 at 04:06 PM
it looks so good!! i love how easy it is to navigate around!!
Posted by: Jen | February 08, 2011 at 04:18 PM