Backward is ok but forward is better, don’t you think?

Have you heard about revival? We all do because each year, we have this feeling of seeing and experiencing something we already know.
While having a walk through Miami streets to have a glimpse of all fashion trends, Mademoiselle A had that exact feeling “I feel I have already seen this before…” Well guess what: she did! And do you know why? Because Fashion is all about revival…. It is like we are stuck in the past…

Now that we are done being found of the 80s ... (and we are in November… remember this summer how we were found of the 60s, 70s…) Let’ go for the 90s! Underwear is outwear? Thank you Madonna and Jean – Paul (The Blonde Ambition tour might bring back some memories …) Doc Martens, army clothes, large wool sweater, fanny Packs? Classic items of both Mademoiselle L & A childhood…

But, isn’t it too soon to make a revival of the 90’s while it just has been considered vintage?

Are we so nostalgic that we do not want to create anything new? Is innovation difficult to establish in 2010’s Lingerie and Fashion world? Mademoiselle A and L don’t think so! That is the reason why even if they love and respect their past generations, they want to reflect in LIL’B today issues.

We all agree that fashion is a way to revisit the past, but really? A copy of the past? NO.

3, 2, 1 GO !

Getting a visa isn’t a marathon, it is a war !!!
Gathering the documents, making provisional plans…. Proving no matter what that “WE WERE WE WERE ROCK IT!” isn’t the nice, sweet, and funny part…. Well, the adrenaline is nice but… it is really hard! Especially when you are working at the same time….

OMG, we did not tell you? Making our dreams come true is the night part of our lives! On daytime? Like most of the citizens, we have a job! So, after an exhausting day… we have exhausting nights! And a social life… But let’s go back to the visa thingy…

When it is the first time you start a company (oh yeah, because when you see all those people succeeding, people sometimes think they are born for that! Or have 10 companies…) in a foreign country: the pressure is very high: from your home land, from the people receiving you at the border (and we all know how joyful the US borders guys are…), from yourself because you want to succeed.

Oh and please, let’s add to that some spices and start a company while being 6 hours away from one another….! Morality? Be organized! Be confident! And, stick to your plan no matter what… Just to let you know… we will soon be able to meet up.. Mademoiselle A will be in Paris in December. Finally meeting each other? Very exciting!!!

Step by step

We are almost there…

After working day and night to finalize her sketches, loosing faith while being abandoned by her first business partner, thinking and rethinking the little details about the LIL’B concept, finding THE person she thinks could be a great balance for the company success… Mademoiselle A can finally start smiling (at least as a start…).

On the 18th of November, Mademoiselle A received an email. THE kind of email which would make your day starts with a huge smile! LIL’ B was officially created in the state of New York! After jumping, singing, crying (tears of joy of course!)… Mademoiselle A sent an email with the good news to Mademoiselle L, who started jumping, singing, crying, smiling… and both of course called their family and close friends to share the good news.

It may sound a bit “normal” for some of you, probably “the regular” step even… but for Mademoiselle L and A, it is the sign that they are almost there… The 18^th of November is a date they are never going to forget.  

Mademoiselle L and A started receiving many paper works and a list of documents to transfer to their lawyer… Actually, the official registration of the company is JUST a start!!! After sipping their glass of champagne (with a gap of 6 hours of course), they realize that… the 18^th of November was the date of the beginning of a crazy and exciting marathon!

What comes next? THE visa for Uncle Sam’s land…

A moment of reflexion about this crazy world…

Did you ever notice how the Lingerie industry and the Fashion industry make crazy efforts not to be associated with each other?

It is amazing how some people in fashion consider the Lingerie sector as a boring technical craft, and how the Lingerie world evaluates Fashion as an ephemeral tantrum.

What is Fashion? Isn’t it supposed to be a talent based on design , passion, pleasure in order to be different?
Isn’t it the ability to use the right fabrics at the right time for the right people?
Maybe it can be a good marketing strategy with a lot of money…

LIL’B is all about being yourself, being free, being real, and being alive. It is the story of two girls who believe that fashion has to be accessible, affordable and respectful of each person as an individual. Fashion is the ability to see the world with colors, talking to people with fabrics, making them smile.

Wouldn’t it be more funny in this overwhelmed planet to create a whole unique world of ideas without considering yourself too serious?

Mademoiselle L’ and Mademoiselle A’ wish list of changes would be :
*Not crying each time you don’t fit in skinny pants.
*Not lying when someone ask : did you work out? And simply respond : No, I watched Gossip Girl and ate an entire box of chocolate
*Being proud when wearing crazy sneakers at the airport ( the most boring place in this word...)
*Screaming whenever you want ( even in Starbucks!)
 
Here is a few blogs that 2 frenchies in NY love because they are an inspiration for their everyday actions. They are fresh, not pretentious, and they make them smile. These blogs represents People who reflect what 2 frenchies in NY are struggling for each day. People they believe in. People who are real!

www.myspace.com/ducksaucenyc - represents how Mademoiselle L and A see New York City
http://www.jazzimcg.com/blog/ - a really cool girl who is not too serious about herself
http://happythings.tumblr.com/ - inspiring, will make you feel better
 

Sometimes God sends people to test your motivation

Mademoiselle A was having a perfect sunny day in Miami beach. She went to Starbucks to work.
Yes, because what you don't know is that Mademoiselle A lives with a dog, a cat, a couple of friends and sleeps on an airmatress. So when she wants to work, she goes to American's favorite fake coffe place. But that's not the point.
She was ordering when a woman that she didn't know started talking to her while waiting in the line.


Stranger : You have a french accent.

Mademoiselle A : Well, maybe it is because I am french.

Stranger : Are you on vacation or are you living in Miami?

Mademoiselle A : I am living here

Stranger : Do you like Miami?

Mademoiselle A : Yes, that is a really pleasant city, good weather...

Stranger : Oh... I hate Miami.

Mademoiselle A's mind : Mmmmhhh, that is not a nice conversation....
Stranger : What is your job?

Mademoiselle A : I am a fashion designer.

Stranger : Really? ... That is not working really well, right ? Nobody does that anymore!
Mademoiselle A's mind : WTF?????

Stranger :For how long are you staying here?

Mademoiselle A : Actually, I am leaving Miami in December, and I hope to be in New York next year.

Stranger : Oh, New York is way better!

Mademoiselle A'mind : Maybe she is not so mean finally....

Mademoiselle A : I am starting my company.

Stranger : Are you sure? That's not gonna work with the whole economic situation! I know a french girl who came in Miami to design jewelries, she stayed 2 weeks. You will not be able to make it work in New York.

Mademoiselle A' mind : Ok...If it is a joke, that is really not funny.

Stranger : You should definitely go to China to start your company. It would be smarter to go there than New York.

Mademoiselle A : Mmmmmh...I think I should go...

Stranger : Have a nice day, and good luck for your project!

Mademoiselle A stayed in her Starbucks chair during half an hour wondering who payed this woman to be so mean with her. She was also trying to remember the last time that she met someone as mean as that.

Well, the moral of this story is that there will always be people who will try to make you feel like shit no matter what. Maybe it is just God playing around with you, testing you to see if you are strong enough...

It is always a matter of $$$$$

Mademoiselle L needed to get involve as an associate, which means: SHE NEEDED MONEY!

She had to be confident in order to pursue her dream… and nobody, not even the bank would stop her from achieving it! She decided to have an appointment with her counselor. 

She dressed up. Printed the business plan, the provisional budget and headed to her appointment fresh and confident.

Mademoiselle L financial expectations’? Pretty high… but who knows, maybe her bank counselor could have eyes problems that day… or would be in such a good mood he would say yes without asking her for any details about the project?!....

Well…actually… this first crazy obstacle turned out to be very funny… but before we get to the point, some hints need to be given to all the people reading this blog and willing to start their business:

Rule n°1 when you go to see your bank in order to have money, always ask more than what you expect!

Rule n°2 keep in mind that if you have already spoken on the phone with your bank counselor, told him what you need and in the end booked an appointment with him: you will get out of your meeting with a credit for your project.

The question we all wonder now is: Did Mademoiselle L get her credit?

After asking for 3 times the amount she needed, and smiling while the bank counselor was repeating: “sorry Miss L but you cannot have that amount of money”, she finally look at him right in the eyes and said: “well, I don’t think you invited me here just to tell me no, so how much can I get?” He started calculating, simulating and so forth … and in the end, he accepted to give her a credit for the business… not the amount she asked for but enough to make her dreams come true…

And the moral of the story is, do not let anyone tell you that getting money for a project is impossible and hard! Always try and believe in yourself.

Have you met...?

The funny thing about our generation is that internet, social media and other means of communication facilitate exchanges between 2 people located in different parts of the world… At this point of the adventure, Mademoiselle L and Mademoiselle A haven’t met yet… Physically, of course… One is in Paris and the other in Miami.

After reading these few lines, you may think “Are these girls crazy?” Of course they are: like a person who would quit everything he has to follow the love of his life in another country, like the two Stanford university geniuses who created the most used search engine in the world, like the business partners who started a software company that revolutionized the personal computer in a garage etc… Don't get me wrong, Mademoiselle L and Mademoiselle A don't think that they are genius, they just see how this good concept could change their lives.

Mademoiselle A and Mademoiselle L are maybe a little bit crazy, but they are not stupid! They see businesses in the 21st century differently. They realize how much they need each other for the building of this company, and to achieve their dreams. They were both linked up by the same business contact that they trust.

The “IF this and IF that happens…” questions are clearly exposed. Scared? They might be. Fear? Part of all changes in life. But in the end, you should know that their willingness to build their own future is giving them the strength and motivation to work hard in order to achieve their dreams.