PlanetJune at Ralph Lauren!
Today I have an amazing PlanetJune story for you: how my Fruit Bat design ended up in the window display of the Ralph Lauren Children’s Store on Madison Avenue, New York!
Here’s the Ralph Lauren window. It’s a beautiful display, combining seasonal elements (autumn leaves, pumpkins) with a handmade crafty theme (stitched details on the trees and moon, yarn-wrapped pumpkins) and their fall childrenswear range. And the perfect finishing touch is the 8 PlanetJune amigurumi fruit bats hanging from the trees:
Can you see the bats yet?
I was approached by Ralph Lauren to make some of my fruit bats for their window. As you probably know, I don’t accept commissions for finished items any more, instead pointing enquirers in the direction of my Sellers’ List, which lists the shops of my customers who sell items made from my patterns. (I love being able to help out my customers in this way.)
In this case, with multiple bats needed and a fairly tight timeframe, I decided to go one step further and recommended a specific seller for this commission. Most of my sellers are active members of my Ravelry group, and post about how they are doing in the selling PlanetJune-designed items thread. As I read all the messages in my group, I get a good feel for how busy each of them is, and who might currently have the time and inclination to take on a large commission like this.
Note: I never make any money from these commissions – connecting buyers and sellers is just a service I offer my customers and people looking for handmade amigurumi.
So, I put Monica from Magical Amigurumi in touch with the Ralph Lauren people, they sorted out all the details of their transaction, and, a few weeks later, these cute-but-unassuming little bats…
…were high-fashion superstars on Madison Avenue!
I do love how the window dresser arranged all the bats in different positions, some with wings open and some folded.
The funny thing is that this was the third time my amigurumi designs have been requested by fashion designers! Maybe I need a new tagline for my website: PlanetJune: Amigurumi with Style 😉
If you’ll be in Manhattan in the near future, do stop at the window of the Ralph Lauren Children’s Store (878 Madison Avenue) and take a look at Monica’s PlanetJune Fruit Bats:
Handy links:
- Make your own bats with my Fruit Bat crochet pattern.
- Buy amigurumi from Monica’s shop, Magical Amigurumi.
- If you have an online shop, join my Sellers’ List.
If you’d like to sell PlanetJune-designed items, even if you don’t sell online, please come and hang out in the PlanetJune Ravelry group! I occasionally announce special commission opportunities in the group itself, and, if I know from the photos you post in my group that you do good work, I’m happy to match you up with a potential buyer. Who knows when the next big commission opportunity will arise?!
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E said
How nice of you to do that! 😀
And how exciting for you that your design was picked my Ralph Lauren! 🙂
It’s just an amazing story altogether. 🙂
I hope your and Monica’s name get out there even more!! <3
Chrisie said
The bats are a perfect addition to that window!
Awesome job Monica! This is a wonderful story. 🙂
And many thanks to June for her continued support!
Teressa said
June,
Monica is my Daughter-in-law and loves your patterns. She also is a great crafter. Thanks for helping her also.
Dee Trope said
This is wonderful!! How exciting for Monica!! I’ve made this little guy for my little guy who loves bats! Absolutely adorable! Love how the wings can be put in different positions.
Paula said
June thank you for providing such great patterns, My daughter is Monica and I know she loves working with your patterns and having the opportunity to showcase her work. You both are amazing crafters.
Sheryl Nott said
This is very cool!… My niece is Monica.. She really loves your patterns! 😉
CrochetBlogger said
Congrats – what a cool thing for you and well deserved for sure!
Sarah in Houston said
How exciting for your! They look great, too. Wish I could see them in person.
Marie/Underground Crafter said
Great story and I love the bat styling, too.
Karen (Foxtrot400) said
They look awesome! I saw the in-progress posts on Ravelry and wondered who needed 8 bats, and what they’d be used for, now I know!
Simone said
That’s truly amazing! Congrats to both of you! The more people hear of June’s pattern, the better.
Monica Ballinger said
Congrats June and thank you! This has been an exciting endeavor! Your patterns are great, and it’s amazing to see that others think they are as well!
Thanks! 😀
Monica
Susan said
Huge Congrats to you! That is such an exciting story! How fun to be featured with such a unique creation. The window is fabulous, as are your bats! Well done, June! I am a new member of your Ravelry group and follower on FB so I can keep in the loop!
Susan
FeltedButton.com
Sunny said
Hey June! Congratulations on this! It is very exciting, congrats to Monica too! I will be up in NYC in a few weeks (about 4) if it is still up I’d love to swing by to see it!
Sunny
aka SunnyStrings (Ravelry)
Anastacia said
June, what an incredible story, & I’m so glad you got this opportunity & that you were able to help out another crafty individual!