San Francisco’s Dark Garden brings their world-renowned corsetry to New Orleans with a new boutique!
This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
WOOHOO! We did it, we signed a lease!
Thank you everyone who shared your thoughts on our potential location. We've decided to forge on ahead with 3528 Magazine Street at Foucher. While it may not be the mostly highly trafficked block of Magazine, it's still conveniently located, safe, very close to other well-traversed blocks, has a nice cross-section of both uptown and downtown traffic, etc. As a destination shop, we are confident that our clients won't mind walking an extra couple of blocks to visit us (especially those who have already traveled from out of town or even out of state). And in a party town, a quieter block can actually be a bit of a boon at times! Of course, the allure of also having our own flat upstairs cannot be denied! This will make it significantly easier for Autumn and the design team to spotlight into New Orleans on a much more frequent basis.
We're looking forward to moving in and making the place our own! The new location requires very little work other than a fresh coat of paint in order for us to begin moving in fixtures and outfitting it with merchandise, so we are crossing our fingers to open before Jazz Fest in April. Annabelle is coming to San Francisco this weekend so she can work closely with the team at the flagship for a few more days before opening.
As for your rewards, I'm planning to send out backer surveys next week! We're so excited to start creating and delivering your rewards. It's all coming together now!
<3
Marianne Faulkner
Associate Creative Director
Hi everyone!
Time's been flying but the Kickstarter and your rewards are never far from my mind!
I'm excited to say that we're working with BackerKit, a San Francisco based company that helps little companies like us manage the logistics of actually getting rewards out to our beloved backers. I got to meet the team in person and tour their lovely office on Monday when I stopped by to set up our account. Through BackerKit, you can even add onto your pledge (in case you want that second lapel pin design!) or pledge late if you missed the original cutoff. The link to our BackerKit portal can be found on the project home page, right at the top next to the video! Or you can click through and check it out here: https://dgnola.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders
Existing backers will receive a survey from BackerKit in the coming weeks so please be on the lookout for that! I'll post an update once the surveys have gone out, so you know to look for them. The survey will ask for sizing information (if needed) for your reward, as well as your shipping address, and provide you with the opportunity to add to or switch your pledge (like if you wanted a hoodie instead of a t-shirt, for example). I'm hoping to get at least mocks or sketches of each reward up before the survey goes out so you can get a better sense of if you'd like any add-ons. Anyone who dropped us a note about a bundle or adding onto their pledge already will see that reflected in their BackerKit when they fill in the survey.
Please note, if you pledged for a Finishing Belt, we'll want your sizing info ASAP! Our leather stitcher will be sewing these in batches, so the sooner you get that info to us, the sooner your belt will be made. I'll have a photo of the Limited Edition color we've selected shortly – we thought we had it sourced, but the type of leather wasn't right for corsetmaking, so we're going to look around some more.
One great idea that Mike at BackerKit suggested to me was that we have a party so local backers can pick up their rewards in person! I love this idea. It would mean a little bit of a change from the projected delivery dates – rather than staggering the (physical) rewards, we'd aim to have everything ready at the same time. Tentatively we're thinking mid/late April. This may not include all the Finishing Belts, depending on when we get survey responses/sizing information.
I also have to confess that some of the original delivery dates were very, very optimistic. Anything that was slated for February was partially based on us thinking we'd be ready to launch the Kickstarter earlier than we did, amongst other factors. I apologize! What can I say, as far as I'm concerned, the hourglass is always half full...
Anyway... I think I've gone on long enough with this info dump! I'm off to work some more on actually designing your rewards (I've got the corset pin and the scarf on my brain in particular).
Corset hugs,
Marianne Faulkner
Associate Creative Director
Hello lovely backers!
Thank you again (a million times) for making our campaign such an astonishing success. We are so looking forward to fulfilling your rewards, and to opening the new shop in New Orleans! I'll start by talking about the latter... and asking you a question!
After months of searching and two very promising locations that didn't work out, we've found another space that really appeals to us. It really fits the bill of what Autumn had first envisioned for the New Orleans store. It's cozy and has character, from hardwood floors to pocket doors, a lovely fireplace/mantel... even an upstairs apartment for intimate consultations and visiting designers!
The downside is, though the shop is on Magazine Street proper, it's on a rather quiet block. (3500 block, on the corner of Magazine & Foucher.) We'd have fewer (retail) neighbors and less foot traffic than even a block or two further down.
We know we will be a destination shopping experience, but in a new town where we are less well known, how important is foot traffic? Are we leaning too hard into a subconscious Goldilocks bit? What do you think? In short, do we:
A) Forge on, full steam ahead! Let's get our foot in the door and this show on the road! Any location now is better than no location for another 4 months or more, and we can always move down the line once we've settled into New Orleans.
OR
B) Hold our horses – let's keep holding out for a space that's on a more visible block. If we have patience, we may find something that will make a better longterm home, and ensure that our launch in New Orleans has as good a chance for success as possible.
My next update is going to focus more on reward fulfillment, so look sharp for that! I'm asking about this location situation first because, well, who better to ask than our most ardent supporters? We want to get back to the very lovely seeming landlord either way, regardless of our answer.
Corset hugs!
Marianne Faulkner
Associate Creative Director
I am in a state of near stupor. Gratitude is the feeling at the top, with a lot of wonder and overwhelm.
I’ve chosen a photo that I dearly love, even though it doesn’t necessarily make any sense here - laughing with one of our brides who became a treasured friend during the fitting and creation process. I love you, Mercy Daae!
Having so many people sign up in such a big way to support my dream has been rather a roller coaster. Reading people’s stories has brought up a lot of emotion. This is far more than a job, more than making pretty dresses. It’s about taking care with every action, word, and deed, leading with kindness, because it all really matters. You all have shown me that by reflecting back to me - by giving me your encouragement and support, both emotional and financial.
Every single pledge and share has been meaningful. They’ve told me that you care about our work, that you are literally invested in seeing it continue. My deepest gratitude to everyone who pledged, who shared their stories and my posts - both actions have been greatly appreciated and made this happen!!!!!!!!!
Stick a Swarovski on me, I’m done. ♥️
~Autumn Adamme