Customer service done right.

I moved to The Village June 2004 and New York was overwhelming. I was still recovering from leaving my wonderful little Bates bubble and the city was big. I quickly found Grey Dog's Coffee just a block from my apartment. The people were welcoming, the food delicious and the surroundings quaint and an island of relaxed in the zoo that is 6th avenue. It became a weekly trip when both Liz and I had quit our jobs to start our companies. We had weekly meetings on Carmine Street where we would both bring our new ideas and sketches to discuss over cobb salads –no bacon, no blue cheese with asian dressing-she with her raspberry iced tea, I with my mint. We trekked there in snow storms and transit strikes. In some sense Dakota Martin and Linda and Harriett were partially born there. It is there that Liz told me she was getting married and bought a house. We warmed up there in the winter shaking snow off our boots, and pulling off our wool hats and cooled there in the summer, plopping our sweaty selves down in the air conditioning and good tunes.

There isn’t an out-of-town guest I don’t bring there, and each has begged me to take them back. I get there a little less now that Shannon and I have an office in midtown and Liz moved to Brooklyn – midday trips aren’t quite as easy, but I still get there for certain. Their PB&J – seven grain, crunchy and grape-has become my favorite pre-long run dinner during my marathon training.

Dave recently opened a second location at 12th and University. I’ve been waiting to congratulate them until I made it in. Well, I went for brunch with Annie and Julie yesterday and was passed this note as I ordered at the counter. Dave has always welcomed me on Carmine Street (he even put a concerned hand on my sister Jen’s back and inquired if she was new to the neighborhood when she visited 3 times in 24 hours during one visit to NYC). This note put a smile on my face all day and is a reminder of what real customer service should look like. Grey Dog will always be on the top of my NYC restaurant list for all factors – food, people, ambiance, and service. Congrats on the new location! It’s every bit as great as the first-and that is no small feat.

back to school shopping...

My cousin Kate Throneburg is now a freshmen at UNC. Kate is pictured here with her friend Brittany wearing a vintage Dakota Martin scarf top (from our first season - looking fabulous might we add)! DM will definitely be making a trip down to visit the Chapel Hill campus for a trunk show. Kate we look forward to seeing you soon!



Please email dakotamartindesigns@yahoo.com if you want us to come to your campus!

Love Story

" What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died?
" That she was beautiful. And brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. And The Beatles. And me. Once, when she specifically lumped me with those musical types, I asked her what the order was, and she replied, smiling, 'Alphabetical' At the time I smiled too. But now I wonder whether she was listing me by my first name--in which case I would trail Mozart--or by my last name, in which case I would edge in there between Bach and The Beatles. Either way I don't come first, which bothers the hell out of me..."

My copy of Love Story by Erich Segal is the most tattered and worn book I own. Its thin little body lives on my nightstand under my alarm clock away from my book shelf collection for whenever I feel like a good cry. I would say I pick it up a minimum of once a year--which used to not sound like a lot, but feels more often these days. Somehow it never makes it on my list of "favorite books" when I list them off, but it is no doubt part of it. Even typing out this opening paragraph gets me chocked up. Jenny is a character I want to hate for her cynicism and sarcasm, but when I read her through Oliver's eyes I cant help but love her too. And these two characters and their surroundings just embody beautiful New England, and all the romantic things it has to offer. From the world of the very privileged down to the paycheck-to-paycheck working class. Since having started Dakota Martin 2 years ago I never connected the Love Story aesthetic and that 70s preppy vibe Ill always adore. So when I saw this spread recently in O magazine with Angie Harmon channeling Ali McGraw/Jenny (which she does fabulously well I might add) I connected how much Dakota Martin worships Jenny and her world. If youve never read it I strongly recommend you pick yourself up a copy. I'd lend you mine but it might fall apart.

Welcome Back Weeds

In celebration of the return of Weeds (the premiere of season 3 is tonight) we give you this "snap" from last sundays' Post of the lastest addition to the cast. When I saw this pic I immediately thought of our Eva Skirt. Now, for those of you who dont read snaps religiously like my roomate Beth and I, I should note that they are not afraid to give Mary-Kate the "whack job of the week" award when she shrouds her tiny body like she is homeless in February. But you'll notice here they call her smokin. And they couldnt be more correct in doing so. Mary-Kate took this elegant high waisted skirt and made it young and hip by pairing it with a simple white tee. This shows she is adventurous and thoughtful in her choice and isnt afraid to try something a little different to give it her own touch...Without being overboard in this case :). That is exactly the look Shannon and I were going for with our Eva Skirt and Michael Top. Men's undershirt meets sexy silk crepe skirt. Elegant and refined meets young and playful. And ours is a bit more forgiving - A-line instead of mermaid. We're happy that most of you aren't the size of an Olsen and therefore need a little room. So it surprises me that we still have some in stock -- after making them for a few season in different colors we have a smattering of navy, chocolate, and pink. I like to think we were a bit ahead of our time with the highwaist. So watch weeds tonight (where M-K will join the cast to play Cylus' love interest) and check out the Eva for your next formal event

Today is a big day at the Dakota Martin homestead! After a long three days at Moda we got our very first shout out in WWD! We read Women's Wear Daily every day and this is one of the bigger compliments we can think of. As you see Alana is looking gorgeous as ever, but unfortunately our Photographer - who we love - didnt get credit. He is very talented though and you can check out the work of Ports Bishop at www.portsbishop.com . Thanks Ports! And thanks WWD!

some more favorite pics from ACK 07'

Lindsey McGrady sporting her new Laurie dress in teal!


Lizzy preparing the lobsters!


Allison Dodd, Lizzy Sall, Shannon Casey, and Jennifer Lattif walking around - I just loved this huge American flag.


This truck was parked on Main Street - how amazing are the flowers!

DM's favorite boys!

Moda

Well, after much brainstorming and two long days of moving in, here is out booth at Moda! Today, my mom and I parked at 1:30pm and agreed we'd be there about a half hour. At 6pm we were worried we'd get kicked out. We're hoping the work pays off tomorrow when Shannon and I tackle our first trade show. The poster my grandmother made for us, fashioned after the old school Vogue print. I love it, and I love having something she made in our booth. So while it may be a bumpin saturday night for all of you crazy cats, its bed time for me and my money is on the fact that Shannon is fast asleep by now. Night!

Work in Progress

Our apologies for being so spotty with postings! But as most people know, sunshine and long days leave us all over the place. Shannon and I spent the beginning of the week together in Nantucket (as Corbin posted about below). We'll call that part of the week "research"... In the form of lobster bakes and lazy afternoons on the beach. But what is a more DM appropriate vacation than salt weathered shingle houses and bikes with big straw baskets in the front? I took off tuesday to come home and gather our booth for our first ever trade show (Moda) while Shannon stayed on the island to hold a three day trunk show at one of our favorite seasonal stores -- Eye of the Needle. Today I spent all day constructing our booth with the generous help on my mother and Jenny. Lots of sweaty schlepping and meticulous hanging of paper. I was hoping to post a picture of the booth tonight but we're not quite there yet. A little more to go -- so instead I thought Id show you the sketch Nance Liz and I have been ruminating over... A completed pic to follow.

Stay Cool :)