Oh, Shop It: Your Ultimate Swimsuit Destination

Image from Custom Swimwear

Swimsuit shopping can be quite daunting for some. It might be hard finding the perfect-fitting top or bottom, but have no fear: Custom Swimwear is the best place for you.

All swimsuits are custom fit, so you'll never have to worry about ill-fitting tops or bottoms again! Your confidence levels at the beach will skyrocket. Also, tops and bottoms are sold separately, which is perfect for those who vary in size from top to bottom.

Custom Swimwear is the perfect place for those women who can't find the perfect size in swimsuit tops and bottoms in a normal store. Some suits have cups that can fit D to DD sizes and others can fit F to KK sizes. Standard cups will fit A, B and C sizes. The swimsuits come in, of course, many fashionable sizes and colors.

The swimsuits are made locally in Michigan. For more information, head to their website here.

Guest Blog: DGG is on Visit Detroit!

If you haven't seen our Facebook post, we've written up a blog post about the 7 reasons why we think Detroit is a fashion city. Below is an excerpt:

Photo credit: Jacqueline Paetzold

You know that old saying “if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear, does it really make a sound?” The same can be said for fashion in Detroit. Just because people don’t know about it doesn’t mean it’s not here. In fact, it’s everywhere. Detroit is on the cusp of a fashion explosion, and we have seven examples to back up this statement:

1. Nationally Recognized Fashion Designers

What do Tracy Reese, John Varvatos, Anna Sui, Vicki Sarge and Kevan Hall all have in common? These Michigan natives, and their namesake brands, are staples in the fashion world — and for good reason. All have participated in the Detroit Historical Museum’s fashion exhibition, Fashion D.Fined: The Past, Present and Future of Fashion in Detroit, which runs through fall 2016.

John Varvatos opened a store in downtown Detroit; Tracy Reese and Kevan Hall were keynote speakers at FashionSpeak, an annual conference from Detroit Garment Group(DGG) that focuses on the business of fashion; and Anna Sui has spoken at a Penny Stamps Speaker series put on by The Institute for the Humanities and Detroit Creative Corridor Center (DC3).

2. Budding Local Designers and Brands

...

To see what else we had to say, click here: http://blog.visitdetroit.com/blog/entry/fashion-city.html.

Industry Spotlight: Banner Sign Company Offers Different Options to Help with Branding

There are a lot of things that come with owning your own business, paperwork, taxes, sales, etc., but the one thing people think about last is signage. Not only does the Banner Sign Company offer that to its customers, but tons of other products that help tell a story about the brand. We spoke with Nicole Piach, co-owner of Banner Sign Company, who has been working to offer more to her customers, and changing with the times

DGG: Tell us about yourself, Nicole.  

Nicole Piach: Proud mom of two great teens, I love the arts as well as fashion, interior and architecture design.

DGG: Tells us about Banner Sign Company. 

NP: Banner Sign Co, has been around since 1924. I joined the company in 1992 after I married my husband and business partner Nick. Although we work together on a daily basis, we each have our own thing; I oversee the finances, as well as product & technology development and we each maintain our own clients. Over the years we’ve been extremely fortunate to have been awarded some major accounts and events. However, it’s not every day you have a Superbowl, so with the downturn in the economy I thought about non traditional ways that we could keep our printers printing. It’s taken a lot of time and research, but over the last few years I’ve developed Digital Print Specialties. Basically, DPS is an interactive and comprehensive print resource for design professionals from any discipline. Our slogan is “Your world, your way” Here we offer one of the largest varieties of specialty printables, from fabrics that can be used for either apparel or interiors, we even offer a few contract fabrics that can be customized for the Healthcare & Hospitality industries. We also offer Functional art, which serves as both art & acoustic sound absorption. These are great retrofit options where sound is a problem, but aesthetics are important. Other products are custom window films, wall covering, and tile. 

DGG: How can fashion and interior designers benefit from your company?

NP: Well, if they ever do need a sign, we’re still more than happy to assist. But beyond that, and until recently, fabric and wall coverings were limited to traditional rotary press capabilities. Scale, colors and imagery were the limiting factors. However, with todays on-demand digital printing technology all boundaries have been removed and have set the stage for the world of customization. Today’s clients are all about expression and being unique, and we’re here to help designers give their clients what they want.

DGG: What’s the best advice you can give to a budding entrepreneur when it comes to starting a business?  

NP: Do something you’re passionate about, it will keep you motivated. Secondly, don’t rush into anything, do your research. You want to make sure you do things the right way from the very start because it’s hard to back peddle in business and develop a good reputation. Thirdly, if you don’t know, ask. Surround yourself with good people, you can’t be good at everything, so focus on what you do best and learn to rely on others.

DGG: If you could create something for anyone in the world, who would it be, what would it be and why? 

NP: I’m actually thinking about creating a line of custom printed bean bag chairs and sofas. I’d love to see them used in non-traditional environments like a wine bar, or a children’s hospital playroom, or maybe even a conference room. In certain situations, if you can let go of all the formality and just relax, it could spark contemplation, great conversation and creativity. Sometimes, I think we could all use a bean bag.

DGG: What is your favorite local boutique to shop? 

NP: I’m proud to say I’m bargain shopper, so I go everywhere! But I can tell you, I have quite a collection of Detroit themed T-shirts. 

DGG: Describe your style. 

NP: I’d like to think I’m fashionably casual. I love traditional lines with modern accessories.

How do you take your coffee? 

NP: French press - black

DGG: BCBG or Ann Klein? 

NP: BCBG

DGG: Acetate or acrylic fabric? 

NP: Acrylic

Do It: Vote For Local Makers in Martha Stewart's American Made Competition

Detroit has an abundance of talent when it comes to professionals that created a way of life through quality craftsmanship and unique goods. American Made is a competition that is looking to shine a spotlight on these local artists, entrepreneurs, and designers to promote local shopping and improving local communities. We are in a time where local businesses are starting to be sought out more so than a mini-mall and we couldn’t be more excited. This competition is a phenomenal way to bring light to the bustling, developing city of Detroit and all the talent within. 

Every year, Martha Stewart Living celebrates these small-business owners, designers, and entrepreneurs in the world of food, style, design, and handmade goods by featuring them in an American Made Awards. Local designers and makers such as Detroit Denim, Co., Alchemy Detroit, Owen & Abby, Joseph Wesley Black Tea, Bon Bon Bon, Smith Shop, Firebrand Candle Company, and Lazlo are nominated and go through a selection process. Public voting has started for the Audience Choice Award Winner, and voting continues until 12 a.m. on October 19, with the winner announced on October 23, 2015. Visit the website now to cast your vote for some of the best local designers and creators around, and help support local businesses!

Pashon Murray of Detroit Dirt was the 2014 Food Winner, and Murray wants to become an engine for the urban waste recovery movement by repurposing waste to rebuild Detroit and this competition helped her do that. Since winning this award Detroit Dirt has really built a name for itself. The publicity from this competition really jumpstarted the business and led it to grow over the past year. By going online and voting for local designers and creators we can spread awareness of the overflowing fountain of talent in metro Detroit. Visit the American Made website to cast your vote.

Local Designer Series: A Wedding Obstacle Created a Business Opportunity for the Men Behind 1701 Bespoke

Everything happens for a reason, and when childhood friends Tom Daguanno and Max Schmidt were out of suit options for Tom’s wedding, they decided to create their own. Once the suits were on display at the wedding, 1701 Bespoke was born and the rest is history. 

Image from 1701 Bespoke

DGG: Tell us about yourselves, Max and Tom.

Max Schmidt: Tom and I have known each other since the third grade. We've been close our whole lives. My best memories are making movies with Tommy as well as getting into trouble in the summer times.

DGG: What's the 1701 Bespoke story?

MS: Well, we started in late 2012; Tom was getting married and he asked me to be his best man. It was kind of a surreal experience because he was the first of our group of friends to take this step and I was very excited for him. I was living in Chicago at the time and I remember standing in my apartment talking to him about the plans for the wedding; he wanted to do custom suits, but couldn't find anything that fit the style and price points. So we researched how small companies were able to make suits, formed a partnership with a tailoring company and developed the first run of suits for the wedding. 

Just from that wedding, we started getting requests from our friends, and friends of friends who wanted suits, and it began to snowball until we opened up the pop-up, where we took flight.

DGG: Describe your job in 10 words.

MS: Custom made suits, shirts, and overcoats delivered with amazing service.

DGG: What has been your greatest accomplishment since starting 1701 Bespoke?

MS: Our greatest accomplishment is building a profitable company that employs people, and is able to make people happy with their clothes. It's amazing to see the smile on our customers faces or read about how well their weddings went, or how confident they feel wearing our suit. It's an amazing feeling to be a part of that.

DGG: If you could give budding designers three pieces of advice about starting a fashion company, what would it be?

MS: First advice is to start. If you say you can't design because of X, Y & Z, I'm sure if you talked to a few people in your life you would find ways around those excuses to start designing. Don't let excuses get in your way because you'll always think up an excuse.

The second piece of advice is to figure out what you want to do and put a plan together. Some people don't want to run companies, they just want to be technicians; some people don't want to be technicians, they just want to be the idea people. Everyone has his or her own preferences. So, I think it's important to understand what you want to do, and then formulate a plan around that. There's a great quote out there: if you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else.

The third piece of advice is to listen to Audiobooks & podcasts that help with business and design on your commute. These are really easy to listen to on your commute and if you drive to work for 20 minutes one way, then you are spending 40 minutes everyday consuming some content that is going to directly help you achieve your goals.

Image from 1701 Bespoke

DGG: Where do you see 1701 Bespoke in the next ten years?

MS: 10 years is a long time! How about 5: Multiple stores across the United States, doing a lot of online business, maybe a ready-to-wear line.

DGG: What's the importance of a well-fitted suit?

MS: A well-fitting suit is like a coat of armor; you feel impenetrable because you know you look great. That translates into other parts of your work life as well as your personal life. *wink, wink*

DGG: A lot of people need to wear suits, or at least dress business casual in the workplace. What's your secret to looking good and standing out in the office?

MS: The Pareto's Law of looking good is 80% fit 20% color. The most important thing is to make sure your clothes fit you right. That immediately makes you stand out from the majority of folk who seemingly only wear clothes because it's illegal to be naked. Once you have your clothes fitting well, make sure you pick out colors that compliment you.

We spend a lot of time talking with our customers about what type of fabrics will work best with them and a lot goes into it. The color of your hair, eyes, your skin tone, your swagger, your profession; all of these things we take into account when we give fabric recommendations. And if you know a few colors that work well with you and you have well fitting clothes, you'll soon realize you're the most fashionable person out of all of your friends.

Image from 1701 Bespoke

DGG: If you could dress anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

MS: One of the cool things about our business is we are able to really get to know our clients. So, I would love to dress Elon Musk because I think he's a fascinating individual. I'd love to talk to him and pick his brain. And also, from the looks of it, his wardrobe needs our help.

DGG: How do you want to be remembered?

MS: I want to be remembered as a loving, caring individual. That's the most important thing. After that, I'd like to be remembered as someone who chose to follow what they truly loved in life and was able to share their happiness with everyone else.

DGG: Describe your style.

MS: My style is 1920s conservative; high-rise trouser, slim legs, and no break, well fitting jacket (not painted on by any means), mostly solid suits with subtle patterns. In the summertime I love linen. In the wintertime I love flannel. I think I look best in navy, so I usually am wearing dark colors.

Image from 1701 Bespoke

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

MS: Intravenously.

DGG: Paul Smith or Ermenegildo Zegna?

MS: Zegna without a doubt. We make a fair amount of suits with Zegna fabric; they're a pretty amazing company. They design fabric as well as build suits; they're the ones sewing all the Tom Ford suits. Loro Piana and Zegna are the two companies I admire most in high-end fashion.

DGG: Fun/patterned socks or plain socks (to wear with your suit)?

MS: I personally do plain socks and let my suit do the talking. I'm sure there are some people that disagree with me, but I think fun socks are one of the smallest, easiest steps to take to differentiate you from the work uniform and it's typically the "entry level" step of becoming stylish. But as you progress in style to wearing better fitting clothes made with better materials, then I think fun socks become more of a novelty than style. But it's a personal choice, and I really don't have strong feelings on it either way.

Local Designer Series: Local Woman Creates Activewear for Women, by Women

Sometimes, a bad situation is an opportunity in disguise and one local woman used her bad situation to start a fashion company while she was still in college. During her senior year, Jacalyn Gross used the women around her to start creating market research for a sportswear line. Pleasantly surprised by all of the feedback, she immediately started creating prototypes for activewear that would fit properly, function correctly and look fantastic. All of that hard work has led to a growing business made for women, by women!

Image Courtesy of UR Sportswear

DGG: Tell us about yourself, Jacalyn.

Jacalyn Gross: To talk about myself, I guess I couldn't do it without talking about running. I love running. It is a lifestyle for me; it is what centers me when everything else gets a little crazy. I started running when I was 12 years old to get fit for soccer, and I have been doing it ever since. I ran in college the 800m for Michigan State University, but these days I just enjoy the distance. I also enjoy climbing, yoga, boxing and hiking, pretty much anything active. I love to meet and talk to new people. I am driven, a hard worker sometimes to a silly degree and I like to do the job before I hire someone to do it for me. Part of that is to save money, but mostly so I know how much it is worth for someone to do that for me. I am devoted to building women up; I think society tells us to compete with one another I like to inspire and empower women in any way that I can. I also love to laugh, and I don't think we do that enough.

DGG: Tell us about UR Sportswear.

JG: During my time as a college athlete, I was issued shorts that were too short, shirts made for football players, and numerous other pieces of ill-fitting attire. As a result, I suffered from a bit of body dysmorphia, as many women have in that situation, and I wanted to stop that from happening to other women. My philosophy is that an athletic garment is a tool to help you achieve your goals. It should be made to fit you, not the other way around. If it doesn't fit, that does not mean there is something wrong with your body, it means that the garment is not designed to suit your needs. As a result of the lack of available choices in women’s sportswear, I decided to create a company that was about real women. In order to find out what those needs were, during my senior year of college, I went to my target audience, active women, to get feedback about what they wanted out of their sportswear.

I was surprised by all of the positive responses I received for my project from the active women I surveyed. What I found was that there were some important sportswear needs that just were not being met. In particular, I found that the “ride up” factor typical of spandex shorts was a major problem. I used this problem as a starting point and set to work constructing a prototype of a better-fitting, more comfortable short that, more importantly, would not ride up. During this process, I tested multiple different styles, fits, and materials and solicited the opinion of other active women. These shorts were truly a “by women, for women” product, from start to finish.

Image Courtesy of UR Sportswear

UR got its name because it is who "You Are." UR was created to help empower women to feel confident in their activewear using the survey method and we continue to do that to this day. Once I had a product, I then opened UR Sportswear for business in 2012 with my very first line of shorts (the epic Just Rock short). We’ve since expanded our product line and hope to continue to meet the needs of active women everywhere. We all deserve to be comfortable in our own skin. Bottom line, at UR, women are heard, respected, and appreciated.

We now have the following products:

•   Convertible Short - This convertible short gives you options. Flip between a 7 inch inseam or a 9 inch depending how you feel or how much you’d like to cover up.

•   Control Top Capri - This control top capri features a soft wide waist band and a supportive fabric design to help keep your glutes where you want them while you’re working out.

•   Extra Long Wicking Tank - This extra long racerback tank is cut to hang low and not ride high. Keeping covered what you want covered.

•   Skirted Tank - This racerback tank has a long slimming under-layer with a looser, flattering over-layer to help you feel in control throughout your workout.

•   Slimming Tank: This racerback tank is designed to be slimming and is cut longer to keep it from riding up. Add in the tuck-under nutrition pocket and flat seams and this is your ideal UR marathon on up top.

•   Empower T-shirts - T-shirts to motivate and inspire

Image Courtesy of UR Sportswear

DGG: You say in the about section on your website that you ask for consumer input on the look, fit and feel of UR apparel. What has been some of the feedback you've gotten that you've incorporated into your brand and how does that feed back come to you?

JG: I do it all. We gather information from Google group chat, expos, emails, calls and online surveys. Basically, I find out what is trending in sportswear and what is inspiring me in the market place that would also help to solve insecurities of women. Then, I come up with several solutions and I post the designs on Instagram, Facebook, Google+ page and on our webpage. People will like, comment, and interact. Once we have finalized on the design, I will work on the details such as colorways, patterns, and other small aspects of the design.

DGG: Tell us about your time in Los Angeles, CA. What were the most important things you learned about starting a company while you were there?

JG: Well, that was when I first toured a large production house, so I got to see the sewing steps I learned about in college in action. The fashion bookstore was very helpful in making contacts, and always to ask as many questions as possible.

DGG: What does your office space look like?  

JG: My office consists of my Mac with organized chaos of paper piles, fabric samples and sketched ideas. I go through phases of being organized, and getting crazy busy and having stacks of paper everywhere.

Image Courtesy of UR Sportswear

DGG: Describe your style.

JG: I would say sporty/casual, but I am all over the map. I think differently in different clothes, so it depends on my inspiration. 

DGG: What is your most favorite article of clothing you own, and why?

JG: UR's Just Rock shorts. I have been running in those (the original pair - these shorts last) for two years, and they don't rub or ride up ever. They will blow your mind.

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

JG: 2% milk and three sugars.

DGG: Spandex or loose fitting workout pants?

JG: Spandex.

DGG: Lululemon or Athletica?

JG: UR Sportswear.