My ideas for the collections come from 2 sources: 

 a Focus Group, made up of 'tweenz! just like you, and -of course- YOU!   Your letters, your e-mails (from Moms AND 'tweenz!)- I take all your ideas into consideration! 

I love to design, I love to sew, and I love, love, LOVE beautiful fabrics!  When all of these things come together, I know I have found my next great collection!

But because I am both Mom AND designer, I know that the shorts won't be too short and the tops won't play tummy peek-a-boo.  And because I LISTEN to my 'tweenz!, I know I can't get away with fabric that's too "babyish" or "cutesie".  

I can't stand those itchy labels and tags either!  And I definately don't like hearing about them from my 'tween!   So I avoid them whenever possible by using a more skin-friendly, tagless approach!

I like to use a variety of fabrics when I design my pieces:  Denim, silk and even cashmere!  But my all time favorite is cotton:  It's classic, timeless, and can be worn straight from the dryer or ironed for a more refined look. 

There is one fabric designer I particulary use: Michael Miller Designs. Their cottons have a more contemporary style for the modern 'tween, and the quality of the weave is superb.  If I'm going to put my name on it, it's got to be just right!