Long before Paris Hilton (um, Marie Antoinette had gold threaded dog beds) people were pouring their love and luxury taste on their pets. A habit that filled their egos (dogs don’t have egos) and made them feel satisfied in their ability to love something so fully. Mia didn’t know she was wearing Dior. She could have been wearing a collar from the dollar section of Target for all she cared, and only reacted to my fawning attention not the collar itself. I once spent a hundred dollars on a dog bed, and when I came home she was lying on my bath robe reminding me that if she was spoiled, it was only for me.

It’s the people who need reassurance through material items that indeed, they are doting pet parents. But doting or not, puppy love has it’s limits. Sure dogs won’t argue with you, but they also don’t recognize your successes. You thank them for being a good girl or boy, but they won’t compliment you in return. In all honestly, you likely won’t jump in front of a bus to save your dog. You say you will, but you likely won’t. In the end of the day, the replaceable nature of a pet puts a limit on your love.

Emma Dinzebach

Last Christmas I came across the dilemma and sent a snarky but sincere email asking friends and family what they want. A close friend then informed me that this was not “kosher” because they were not children and “in addition” gifts are better when they come from the heart.  The dilemma: whether to buy people something the outright want or to purchase something thickly laced in thought.

Last year my artsy painter friend mentioned a Botkier hobo when we were casually perusing Bloomingdale’s one afternoon. For weeks, I had been scouring teeny boutiques in Brooklyn looking for something perfectly suitable for her free spirit. After all, she was always so thoughtful. By December 23rd, I decided to just give her the bag. Marched up to Bloomie’s, paid, and was home in thirty minutes. When she opened it her eyes lit up; she was so thrilled that someone had given her something non-art related. “But handbags are art!” I protested. But I knew what she meant. Just like children, adults like to get something they want. And the something-she-wanted turned into the best present of all.
I’m a genuinely thoughtful person and I love my family and friends dearly, but why scurry around town during the busy, tourist packed holiday season trying to pick out something thoughtful when I could just give them something they want. What’s a thoughtful person to do two weeks before Christmas and completely void of thoughtful present ideas? Give in and give them what they want. Leave the other three seasons to the beauty of being thoughtful.
Emma Dinzebach

For two weeks, we went to yoga, had dinner, and talked like the sisters we never had. My boyfriend played guilt free golf both weekend days. She walked our dog. On the second weekend, her landlord called saying her apartment was not ready. Thrilled to have her stay, I immediately told her yes. Upon relaying the news to my brother, he said, “You are letting her stay for three weeks and you wouldn’t even let me, your own brother, stay for four days?” As I rationalized away the distinction, I could feel his anger grow. We hung up the phone unhappy.

I recounted the conversation to my best friend who agreed. She said other people feel unwelcome in my home around the fourth day and pointed out that I had never lent her my car, my computer, or my cashmere pajamas.

When my boyfriend got home, he said he wanted her gone a week ago. It turns out he wasn’t reveling in her company as much as I was. In fact, he didn’t see her as the impeccable house guest I did. He pointed out faults and flaws I never saw, and requested kindly that she choose another friend “to invade.” How do you kick someone out when you already told them yes? When you already promised? Isn’t that horribly, horribly cruel?

I’m not sure the answer. I was honest with my friend and told her that while I loved having her, but it was getting a little tight in the apartment. My other friends were taken aback by my house guest inequality claiming I was unfair and rude. I considered explaining the rule of house guest equality, but quickly realized that was as crude as a stinky old fish. So I let it go, but if it comes again, I might hatch the rules. After all, shouldn’t friends who are stinky house guests become aware of their stench?
Emma Dinzebach

Full sample sale info here
Emma Dinzebach

How was the L.A.M.B. / Harajuku Girls sale in L.A. last week?

It went over really well. Gwen Stefani has a strong following on the West Coast, so it was a no brainer.

How does L.A. compare to New York in terms of sample sales?

L.A. is probably fifteen years behind New York in regards to sample sale scope, size and frequency. New York was the original sample sale city. Sample sales started here around 1982…1983. And for the most part, sample sales have remained unique to New York.

Why?

Because garments were manufactured in New York, designers lived in New York, it held the market. Even consumers who couldn’t afford retail prices where familiar with the designers. The demand was there. Especially in the late eighties and early nineties, there was a such a surplus that designers needed a way to unload a previous season’s product.

When did you start Savvy & Co.?

In 1997. I’ve been in the industry for twenty years and had this company for thirteen.

How have sample sales changed since then?

With the emergence of online private sample sales like those you find at Gilt.com, and the popularity of sample sales in general, there is more competition for product. In the past few years, especially in the recession, designers are making less product, but more consumers wanted to purchase from sample sales. So the demand continues to exceed the product.

Will other cities start to see an increase in sample sales?

L.A. yes. More designers are living and and working in L.A. and the fashion community there has become familiar with the concept of the sample sale. Other cities, possibly, but a successful sample sale requires working closely with the designer and having the market for it. New York will always be the sample sale leader.
Savvy & Co. continues to be the New York City leader in brick and mortar sample sales, carefully selecting the most premier designers. For more information on designers they are working with and upcoming sales, visit www.thesavvy.com.

Written and edited by Emma Dinzebach

Until Senator Charles E. Shumer introduced a congressional bill that would provide some protection against copycatting for designers. The Innovative Design Protection and Piracy Prevention Act, supported by the CFDA. The bill provides limited intellectual property protection to the most original design. In addition to apparel and footwear designer, the new law would cover handbags, belts and sunglasses for three years from the time it is seen on the runway. Color, patterns and graphic images are factors used in determining the uniqueness of a design, and according to several sources familiar with the proposed bill, there are strict specifications for what qualify as unique and will require designers to consistently move towards innovation. The bill aims to be a deterrent for copying designs and has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.

For the consumer, does it means no more faux DVF dresses for $19.99? Probably not. The bar for unique designs is set high and only applies to designs moving forward. Maybe copycat designs help the economy because they lead to higher sales of apparel nationwide. Traditionally, copying has created more demand for innovation, but many people complain that styles are changing too quickly making designers pressured and unable to quickly produce the quality formerly characteristic of high end designers.

Emma Dinzebach

Your interest in charity work started at a young age?

When I was fourteen, my family took in a severely handicapped year old who was labeled autistic, severely handicapped, partially blind and deaf. Her own mother was not in a point in her life that she could care for a child who needed specific care for proper development. My mom saw her deterioration and didn’t want her to be ostracized. We took her in from the time she was 3 1/2.

How did your mom know these people?

She was my aunt’s daughter…my cousin. Within the first six months of living with us, she started to walk and crawl. We gave her care to become part of this world. It made me realize how important it is to provide basic survival needs.

And that translated into your charity work now?

In 2004, I teamed up with a fellow model who wanted to start a charity in California. We both had something in our past that made us want to start a charity. We brought it to New York in 2006, and have so far helped 14 organizations.

Especially then in the last couple years, don’t you think the funds you raised could have an impact on children here at home?

The last couple years have been really tough in terms of sustainable donors and keeping people on. It’s not easy to get money from people who don’t have any, and even when they do have it… We’ve always been global. We partner with NGO’s that focus on countries overseas where there is much more lack of opportunity and access to help these children. I’ve seen it first hand.

So how much time do you spend on this?

Everyday I work on it. It doesn’t matter where I am traveling or what I do, I have my Blackberry and constantly making sure everyone is on cue. It’s a bit of problem actually; but we don’t have money consistently coming in, so we have to work for it.

How much money on average do you raise per organization that you support?

It depends. We’ve done small, affiliated events and large galas that raise $400,000 for [Sunflower]. Fundraising doesn’t have to be boring cocktail hours. I like to step outside the box and think of ideas that are fun and different.

And is the SEAPaddle NYC one of these affiliated events?

SEAPaddle is an opportunity to raise money for various organizations that support autistic children. My fundraising efforts to paddle around Manhattan will support that. Then later in day we have a charity poker benefit. The proceeds for that benefit Sunflower Children Charity.

To support autistic children and to get to know Sunflower Children Charity, join Lane on his trip around Manhattan this Saturday. Support Lane in his fundraising efforts at https://seapaddlenyc.dojiggy.com/carlsonlane and to purchase event tickets https://seapaddlenyc.dojiggy.com/registration. It might be the most beautiful thing you do all summer.

Emma Dinzebach