2017 Summer Apparel Collection! ☀️

I feel like it's been ages since I launched a new collection, and I have to say that this is my favorite one to date. I've been working like crazy to get this out for you guys in time to order things for your summer vacations, holiday celebrations + everything else that comes with everyone's favorite season, and I can't wait to hear what you think about everything that I've created! 

The Inspiration

All of the things that comes with this time of year just make my heart happy. Coming out of a season where I just do not do well at all (me + the cold + the dark to not do well together), stepping into a sunshine frame of mind was exactly what I needed. Warm weather, more time spent outdoors than inside, and purely laid back style. Y'all know me ... I'm all about that laid back life! This collection touches on all of my favorite parts of Summer; trips to the lake, being on vacation mode, and the effortless summer vibes we all know and love. 

THE PROCESS

Oh, the process of this collection ... I've never really talked through my creative process before, and based on the feedback I got on this Instagram post, I'll definitely be diving in fully with a blog post all of it's own. With this collection especially, I worked so much better under the pressure of wanting to get this out into the world than I did when I was just sitting on the idea. 

I started with collecting and playing around with different quotes and phrases I had saved to an Inspiration File on my computer, and then manipulated them into something all my own. This part was honestly the most difficult of everything that came with putting this collection together! I ended up with 40 different sayings I wanted to use, and narrowing them down to the ones you see in the collection now was no easy task! It took a bunch of texts to my momma, Sean reading through the list over and over again, and finally me just sticking to a darn decision because I was cutting it close on time! I'm so thrilled with the ones that I landed on, and I think they all add their own little something to the line that just wouldn't be the same otherwise. 

After I narrowed down what I wanted to say, it was time to move onto the artwork. It's been so long since I've sat down at my desk with brush pens, ink, and a bunch of paper to just create. Sean helped me set up my new office a bit so that I could have a dedicated place to work, and I spent a week and a half straight locked in that space from morning until night lettering the same things over and over. At one point, he walked into my office to let me know to come down for dinner, and I was laying on the floor in front of my TV with Kodah claiming everything I had created up until that point was terrible. That's when I knew I was on the verge of almost breaking through to what I wanted the artwork to be, and I let it sit for a couple of days. When I came back to it I was so stoked to what I found. It was done. Well ... almost. 😉

From there, I perfected all of the lettering, got the layouts just right, and started mocking them up for my printer. When I got the samples in I just knew that you all were going to be just as in love with this line as I am. If I had any doubts up until that point, my sisters definitely cleared that up when they all asked for one of each design for their own closets! 

The hardest part of this entire launch for me has been the fact that I can't actually try any of these pieces on myself to see how they truly fit because this BUMP! Thank goodness that I have four little sisters who could all try them on for me and give me feedback. From trying on the samples to carving out time for a photoshoot to model the entire collection, I really couldn't have launched this without them. 

WHAT'S NEW AT CHELCEY TATE DESIGNS

With this collection came a whole new range of products that I've introduced at CTD. I've always wanted to expand from the single style of t-shirt and art prints that I've offered in the past, and I couldn't be happier with how everything came together! There's now apparel to fit everyone's style ... from fitted tees, slouchy tanks (these are my personal favorite!), cozy sweatshirts, to relaxed tees, I've got you covered! On top of the new range of apparel, I've also added something I'm super stoked about ... baseball caps! I seriously LIVE in hats these days so designing a few of my own was a total dream. 

And that about covers it! Thank you all so much for your never ending support ... I really couldn't do any of this without you! I hope you love this collection just as much as I do! To say thanks, I'm running a giveaway on Instagram for a $50 shop credit to Chelcey Tate Designs! Head over to this link (@chelceytate on Instagram) to enter to win!