A Page From Katie's Diary

This photo was taken of me last August for the premier of my
first collection. It reminds me so much of the heart of New
York City, and I'm so excited to be making the return "home."

I started this blog about 1 month ago. However, the vision was planted into my heart a little before that though....

In late November, I was in Italy for a design trip to obtain inspiration for the Elegantees collections of 2011. However, I felt so discouraged because my dreams were not working. The vision for my company is to fight sex trafficking through distributing the profits into the hands of those who are missionaries in the work of fighting the evil. But the finances of Elegantees are not realistically there yet, and I wondered what all my hard work and sacrifices are for. In all my discouragement and doubt, I just let it go emotionally, and then the blog came into my mind. The inspiration came to me when I was on a train from Rome to Milan. It was nice and quiet, and I was able to spend some alone time to just journal, process my emotions, and have peace about me realizing I cannot be superwoman. This company is not really mine, nor is the dream, or the skills even that I have been blessed with. I shared with God that I didn't want to do this anymore, it's too much to handle. I said He would have to if this is what He wants. And then the inspiration came because He showed me my company may fight sex trafficking one day when it's profitable, but for now, He has a plan for me before all that will happen. He wants to build who I am as a designer, as the hands and heart that direct this brand's image.

Modesty is the core of my vision in fashion. In the photography, the goal is to capture the beauty of the set, the clothes, and most importantly, the women wearing them. Many of ladies are not models by trade, they are simply beautiful women that are enhanced with beautiful styling and a lovely elegantee. As the Art Director of them, I hope to assure the women they are gorgeous so their confidence radiates from the inside out. I stand next to the models to direct them, hoping they will just be themselves. It’s important that you can feel like you could be friends with the women. As many of you know, my belief in modesty is rooted in motives, and I think of it in the shoots. If the motive is not to seduce, then, your motive is in being your true self. I believe this is so important, and that is one layer of the world of beauty I want to be permanently braided into the brand’s DNA. It means a lot to have the support of all you graceful women!! Because, otherwise, this would be a more difficult thing...modesty is not the norm in this industry.

The next month or so, I am going to be undergoing a makeover myself! I will be very busy working on the Spring collection, too busy to post on this blog. So, I will be praying for inspiration for ways this blog will become "new." I desire to minister to women and incorporate women other than me into the blog especially through video interviews and demos, while helping women style through them (and maybe get a few pointers myself ;-)).

I will also undergo a transition. I live in both Iowa and New York City (yes, bizarre!). However, starting early March, I will be spending much more time in NYC than I am right now and plan to rent a small room so my time in NYC will be much longer and I can keep some things there (currently I just crash with friends when I go over there, so renting something will allow me to feel like a New Yorker again, and get more rooted into fashion since I won't be living in a suitcase anymore...yay!). I am so excited for many reasons, but one thing is the blog. I believe there will be many opportunities to share my vision and dream with people who can help. Also, to work with a special women on the blog for each series to enhance her outer beauty through modest and classy styling, and maybe her inner beauty will shine more too. I know mine is after receiving so much love from all you ladies!! 

I am so thankful to all my fans. I am looking forward to what is ahead in the next few months. I believe there are many transformations for this blog, the Elegantees brand, and for me due in short time. I will talk to you in March :0)

Love always,
Katie

P.S. Once facebook hits 200 fans, I will be doing a huge Elegantees giveaway. Hope you enjoy it! (Other than the giveaways, I will be likely be not posting much if at all until March).