Saturday 10.14.23
Happy Saturday!
WHAT’S ON:
Our third Nonie drop ends today at 5pm EST! It’s crazy to think a dress that seemed such a risk at the time has become one of our fan favorites, and one I always love to bring back. It’s truly a year round dress, whether you’re south for the winter season or saving it for Summer, so I know there’s always someone who’s ready for their Nonie!
This time around, we’ve brought back ALL six colors. It can be difficult to count on stock for solid linen, and we luckily were able to confirm all six this time! So if you already own one, or missed out before, this is a great opportunity to treat yourself.
And looking towards the future - I’m happy to say we have been working diligently on finding new partners for both the linen and the custom lace trim, so hopefully Summer 2024, we can offer COMPLETELY new colors for the body, and hopefully a colored lace trim! Thinking an all Noir Nonie….!!!! So, a final reminder that if you simply love one of these original six colors, today is the day to grab it as we’ll move on to all new next year!
A little bit of history on Nonie. We were designing Summer 2021. It was peak Zimmerman era/reemergence of (some) travel after summer 2020 (let’s try to forget that one). So, as a pretty new brand for “Summer” clothes, I had it in my brain that it was CRITICAL to have tons of trims and design details loaded up in our Summer clothes (aka much more expensive and labor intensive to produce). Boy, did I learn my lesson on that one.
Still, we developed this chunky, 3D lace trim that I knew to reserve for later…. Somehow it was too much to be applied over an elaborate print, and deserved it’s own special moment. Our big Summer drop that year was a collection of Hydrangea printed dresses, and I was still new enough to the business to think one big elaborate collection was enough to get you through to September. And I’m here to tell you, through my own experience and watching other companies, somehow Summer collections of Hydrangeas just don’t work, even though everyone thinks they will. Again, the lessons you learn…
I also had a personal trip planned to visit my boyfriend’s (now husband) family in Turkey, mid August. I was looking at those elaborate Hydrangea clothes thinking this isn’t going to work for a week on the high heat ocean in August. I needed something more simple, maybe linen, but not just “plain” (again, I’ve learned the magic of very GOOD “plain” linen since then, we’re learning every day).
Suddenly, when looking through tabletop books for Mediterranean inspiration, I saw this dress below and instantly thought of that 3D lace trim I was saving. A shorter, shift version of that Lilly gown, top applied with lace could be the perfect thing for day and night, and I always love bright color with crisp white. And hey, maybe I could preorder some too ;)
So we cut 4 colors and the rest is history! For the past two years it’s been such a great dress for many of you, and every time we’ve sent a batch out to your doors it makes me smile. Simple, classic, timeless style that’s easy to wear and visually punchy. A perfect representation of what we try to do here at MM.
INSPIRATION:
I’m frankly an extremely superstitious person. I’m writing this on Friday afternoon, preparing for one of the biggest weeks of our year next week for MM. And this Friday happens to be Friday the 13th, in October…SO, I will be locking the door tonight, lighting candles, revisiting a long movie from the MM Approved Movie list, maybe ordering some gourmet pizza (does anyone else find by mid 30’s that’s an extremely satisfying Friday Night?) and will be ready to greet a new day when you all receive this newsletter.
I’ll be taking a page out of my own book and looking for little ways to make my every day a little more special, as we discussed in this Wednesday’s post celebrating Diana Vreeland. I highly suggest you check it out if you haven’t!