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St. Louis Front Page."
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Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature will feature pieces influenced by key story characters and locations, including Alice, the Red Queen, the White Queen, the White Rabbit and the talking flower garden.
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Designer Sue Wong Announces Disney's Alice in Wonderland-Inspired Fashion Collection
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com) January 20, 2010 - Leading fashion designer Sue Wong announced today the launch of Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature, a high-end dress line inspired by Disney's "Alice in Wonderland."
Tim Burton's highly anticipated film, featuring favorite characters from the classic Lewis Carroll tales, hits the big screen on March 5, 2010 (U.S. theatres). The line developed in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products will launch nationally in February 2010 as a special limited edition collection for Spring 2010.
Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature will feature pieces influenced by key story characters and locations, including Alice, the Red Queen, the White Queen, the White Rabbit and the talking flower garden. The Alice In Wonderland-inspired collection will showcase unique details inspired by the film, such as Victorian antique lace and vibrant details, while offering Sue Wong's signature style: romance, femininity and exquisite hand-craftsmanship.
"I have long been mesmerized by the fantastical tales of Alice and her surrealistic adventures in Wonderland and am thrilled to be collaborating with Disney on this project," explained designer Sue Wong. "This classic story, along with Tim Burton's inspired interpretation, lends itself especially well to my design aesthetic, which is whimsical and fun, while adding yet another element of creativity and expression to my artistic process. It is an honor to help bring this marvelous tale to life."
"Disney has been influencing fashion trends for several years thanks in part to the universal appeal of our characters and to the inspiration from such creative works of art as Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland," said Robert Oberschelp, director, Disney Lifestyle Collections for Disney Consumer Products. "Our collaborations with top designers like Sue Wong have also enabled us to keep our lifestyle collections fresh and vibrant serving up an aspirational effect with consumers and Disney fans of all ages."
Ranging from $329 to $609, the Sue Wong for Walt Disney Signature collection will be available in fine department stores such as Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom's, Lord and Taylor and Macy's.
Women Trade High Power Corporate Careers for Better Fit
ST. LOUIS, (PRNewswire) January 20, 2010 - When Nanette Lawson decided to leave her 20 year practice as a well-respected CPA in Alexandria, VA, she did something unusual--she started her own business representing the Etcetera clothing line. She made this decision with all of the precision and due diligence you'd expect from an accountant.
As Lawson and many other professional women like her yearn for different work challenges and more flexible schedules, many are transitioning into the unknown terrain of direct sales.
Shopping Around for Something New
"These are women who have had successful careers in other fields but always knew they had the potential to use their skills in other ways," says Mary Alice Heape, president of Etcetera, who started out as a direct sales wardrobe consultant herself. "As they look at direct sales, they look at the money they can make; the prestige, quality and professionalism of the brand and those associated with it; the support infrastructure and the time commitment that comes with a season-driven business. Our best sellers have been with us for over 5 years largely because Etcetera continues to meet and exceed their high standards."
While direct sales is often viewed as a hobby or fast way to make extra income, Etcetera sellers see it as a sophisticated business that gives women the opportunity to own their own businesses. Top sellers earn up to six-figure incomes based on selling the line seasonally and cultivating a loyal client following.
Deciding What Fits
With her eyes wide open, Nanette Lawson's evaluation process in making a change in career to direct sales included the following three-step process:
1) A BRAND WORTHY OF HER PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL REPUTATION
"I had to feel confident that associating myself with this collection would not damage my hard-earned reputation. The Etcetera collection is truly distinctive, while also being a good value for women who are used to quality. I was very pleased to attach my professional and personal reputation to the line," says Lawson.
2) A PROVEN PRODUCT & SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Women should pick a company that can truly teach them the ropes and support their growth through training and infrastructure. Before she changed careers, Lawson made sure Etcetera and its parent company, The Connaught Group, were run professionally. "The Connaught Group goes to amazing lengths to support their sellers. The tools and support provided assist consultants in marketing and managing their own businesses. As a CPA, I love that they provide strong back-end operations like accurate customer invoicing and order fulfillment. Whenever I have questions, I've got direct access to professional support staff. The management also fosters a professional development process to help consultants continue to grow and refresh their business strategies based on changing technology and trends."
3) A SAFE LEVEL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL FLEXIBILITY
While Lawson was attracted to the flexibility of running her own business, she was concerned about the start-up costs of building a business. Etcetera was a great choice, she says. "It gives me the safety net of not holding inventory--Etcetera corporate absorbs that risk. I'm only billed for sales when they ship, and the start-up costs are minimal. Moreover, the generous cash flow terms and accurate account receivable tracking has allowed me to sell over $150,000 this year --great numbers for a part-time, flexible, home-based business."
Loving Their New Looks
Lawson finds her success stimulating and validating. "My Etcetera business allows me to stay connected to the business world, yet gives me the ability to creatively manage and market according to my own strategy and desires. Further, it gives me the relationship with ambitious working women that I miss from not being in a regular corporate environment."
Lawson's not the only one with this level of commitment to her direct sales business. Hamilton Northcutt was a well-known news anchor in Atlanta when she joined two friends as an associate in opening an Etcetera home boutique business.
"For the first year, it was just a part-time business that I fit in around my full-time television career," she says. "Then, about a year later, Etcetera approached me about the possibility of becoming a manager. I had been yearning for a break from the long and irregular hours of my job. I wanted more flexibility in my life and was excited by the thought of being my own boss and creating and managing a team of fantastic women. So, in November of 2005, my little hobby turned into a career change. Today, I wear two hats as an Area Development Manager and as a Sales Representative for Etcetera. My business partner is a lawyer and partner in a local law firm, and she brings in a segment of corporate women that she's in touch with daily. It's a match made in heaven."
 The Saint Louis Front Page Style St. Louis is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1996 - 2010 Moore Design Group .
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