Alia Michele’s Blog

Despite everything that happened in the last year, I created a wonderful line for my new beginnings in 2010. Sadly, I had to push that line back, and made the decision to use it for the 5th anniversary of aliamichèle (which is coming this August). In the meantime, I had to create a line to keep my customers intrigued, as well as to help keep my creative juices flowing, but most of all, to make me happy...after all, this is what I love to do. That is why this line is called The Space Between. When I came up with the name, I thought about all the people who I'm either very close to or not, yet each of them have had some kind of impact on my life. Whether it's loving me unconditionally, supporting me, teaching me something, inspiring me, or simply making me a better person...all of these people have done something to make my life special. They have touched my life in an unexpected way, and so I dedicate this line to them. Michèle, Andrée, Joy, Janine, Ana, Rochelle and Ruth...the wonderful women who have helped fill those little spaces in my life. Enjoy!

I have a friend named Stan who came into my life about 5 years ago. Last year, Stan told me he was coming to NY to visit his mom (Ruth), who was in the hospital for cancer. My heart sank because this was my second friend that I had to see go through something like this. We met up while he visited and each time, as hard as it was, we talked about how his mom was doing. What amazed me about Ruth was that even though she was going through so much pain, she always stayed positive and always had a smile on her face for her kids. She would even get up sometimes and go walking with them. I never got to meet her, but each time Stan spoke about her I got the feeling that she was absolutely wonderful. Ruth passed away a few weeks after Stan visited, and although it’s always hard to lose someone so loved, I know she lives on within her kids. And of course, she lives on through aliamichèle. I had to create a bag that represented her spirit and her love for life. Our earth has yet another angel...rest in peace ruth!

You’re probably wondering where this random name came from. This group of bags represents 3 powerful women who mean so so so much to me. (Michèle, Andrée, Joy—Mi-An-Jo). Michèle of course is my mother (yes, she has a bag named after her in every line I create), while Andrée and Joy are my aunts. My mom has been friends with these ladies for so many years, and they all represent amazing beauty and strength. These are the women who walk into a room and turn heads. They’re powerful, regal, and they are my family. Auntie Andree just sparkles, while Auntie Joy stands tall and mom exudes beauty. They’re glamorous, gorgeous and oh so lovely! So lovely that I had to dedicate yet another bag to all of them!

It was only of matter of time before I created a bag for my Auntie Jan, as she really does help to fill those little spaces in my life. Auntie Jan has one of the biggest hearts...ever! There are days when I randomly get a call and all I hear is loud noise in the background…only to find out that I was called by accident from her phone. Then there are times when she does call just to check up on me, which is always a pleasure. And then, she calls on every January 29th to wish me a happy birthday! This year she searched high and low to find me on that day, just to say those two words, and that meant so much to me.  She’s always willing to help anyone, especially her family, and there to put a smile on everyone’s face, even when our days are already great. She is selfless, and someone with this big of a heart definitely deserves all the love in the world. I adore her and I’m happy she is a part of my family.

Ana was my favorite professor in college and I will always remember my first class with her…and this is why. Our class received our third project for the term, and I worked day and night…only to receive a ‘B’. This perfectionist was not a happy camper...but I met with Ana and she said to me, ‘I know you Alia, and I know you can do more than this, and that’s why you got this grade”. I found this strange seeing that I had just started my Fibers classes, so how could she know me at all? Anyway, I reworked my project for the ‘A’, and despite being upset about it, I realized that Ana knew I was pretty much a straight 'A' student, and because of this, I had somewhat settled. She taught me how to work harder, and to push beyond my limits and in the end, create challenges for myself rather than waiting for them to be put in front of me.

After that, we built a wonderful student-teacher bond, to the point where we both came to tears when it was time for me to graduate. And when I told her my decision to focus on Fibers over Graphic Design, she was the happiest person. I kept in contact with her after I graduated, but I guess with life and all its wonders, we lost touch. I wanted to create a bag for her because of the wonderful impact she has had on my life. And wherever she is I hope she reads this and knows that she is cherished, and hopefully I can find her to let her know how much she truly means to me. Ana is definitely one person that has helped shape me into the person I am today and I thank her.

Rochelle is someone I have known since I was 3, and even though we aren’t close friends, it is always a pleasure to see her. One day she sent me a message about a dream she had one night. She dreamt that she was carrying an aliamichèle bag with a hummingbird that had a huge beak on it. I thought the idea was fabulous, so I agreed to do this at some point in time. I really wanted the bag to have a huge metal beak, but due to resources I was unable to do so…however, I managed to work something out in the meantime. Anyway, as I made this bag I thought about how much I admired Rochelle. She is a successful lawyer, she has a good relationship with God, she works out like there is no tomorrow, she’s a social butterfly, and she travels….a lot! She is just a diva. Most people may envy her life, but I admire it…and I must say it inspires me. I look at all the wonderful things she does and wonder how she finds time for all of it, but she does it…and she does it well. It’s always good to see people who you know from your past doing wonderful things with their life, and all I can say is I am really proud of her.

I find it so funny when my friends start asking all kinds of things about my new line. They ask these round-a-bout questions just to get the slightest bit of info out of me....and of course they fail. One friend said "I feel like I'm behind the scenes...the perks of knowing the designer". She also failed. Anyway, to kinda statisfy that itch to know what Alia is up to, I decided to do a little sneak peak of what to expect for the new season. Enjoy! 

P.S. If you're in the New York area and would like to see the line before anyone else...click here!! Come support JAMPACT and all the lovely designers!! 

So, I had planned to do my garden of friendships part 2 handbag line this month, but I decided to push it back so that it will bloom on the aliamichèle 5th anniversary (I can't believe it has been 5 years). So in the meantime, the next line will be called the space between. Why? I'll let you know....so here goes......

The first reason is, I have this certain space of time between now and finding a good manufacturer to create the new line. Yes it's that simple! Then, have you ever had people in your life that you may not be necessarily close to, but they have had some kind of impact on you? Well, this line will be dedicated to the people who fill those little random spaces in my life. As for what to expect? My newest obsession is quilting and layering...so there will be a lot of that. My most recent bags are in the image above and they pretty much give you a sneak peak of what's yet to come...kinda!!! Enjoy!

Save the date!! On January 29th I will be celebrating my 29th birthday...which is apparently my golden birthday (I have also claimed 2010 my golden year)! Yay me!! So I put together a wishlist for this special day. Some of the things are way out there...like the Giuseppe Zanotti shoes which cost a whopping 1,500 smackaroos. Some things I really do need....yes...after 2 years of being a supporter of the iPhone, I am seriously considering a Blackberry. Some things are an investment for my home....like that lovely couch. And some things I want because I go through phases like the 4 seasons....I'm at the point where I want to change my duvet cover, yet again. Whatever the reason, I am sending this list out to the universe, and hopefully something will pop up in my lovely Brooklyn apartment, before the end of the month! Enjoy!

From left to right: Duvet Cover; Duvet Cover;  Blackberry Bold 2; Canyon Sleeper Sofa; Nesting Bowls; Blossom Ring; Strappy Suede Sandals; Strass Suede Caged Sandals; Quilts.

I have apparently known Yori since I was 3. I think we argue about this everytime we see each other because I don't remember her from my childhood at all! She has been a part of my life for a very long time none the less. We had a moment where we never spoke, but we found our way back to one of the greatest friendships. Yori is funny, a tad crazy:P, smart, beautiful, and always a great supporter of any of the paths I choose to take.

Yori is a pretty organized individual. I am organized but when it comes to my handbag...everything is all over the place...and she calls me out about it all the time. I don't know if she has a case for everything, but I wouldn't be surprised. So I decided to make her collection a series of small cases. The designs will change over time, but this will officially be the Yors Collection. The great thing about these cases is you can either put it in your handbag to stay organized, or you can carry it by itself (if you're one of those people that doesn't have that much to carry)! And it is also reversible, so if you choose to have one color one day, you can have another color the next!

I have always admired Yori's spirituality, and so I made these cases with a small leaf that represents her love for God, and all the wonderful things He creates and provides for all of us! Love you Yors!

Check out the Yors bag here!