Anne Hopkins

When you are me.. creating something like a website, is really tough considering 'I' date back to before the internet was even here..  

Going backwards, seems to me a daunting task, as it seems as though it was the beginning of time...  so, thank you (Wix)! It was super easy and fast.. and simple to use.  Soon, I will have it linked to my actual domain, but for now if you want to read the articles you can scroll through my webstite. 

 

I've lived a LOT of lives, and lessons.. but you know what?  I have no regrets..

I think the only regrets are the things you don't do.. so I've got that totally covered!!

 

I'm not going to spend too much time here.. will scrap my painstaking article reads.. and throw in random photos from the press.. (not in any great order).. so that I can get the HECK off this laptop and back into my world of design.. 

*I have my scouting life in storage.. so one day, I will update and include it just for fun.

 

Inspired by a show on tv in the early 90's.. called Models Inc.. (even before Knots Landing existed) is where my story begins..

 

I've always been the entreprenuer enthusiast. 

Even before my modeling agency, I started up a promotional business with a friend..  Jannicka Promotional Servcies .

 

I would have stayed with my partner, (we scouted models, did fashion shows for charity etc).. but one day my partner just randomly closed the bank acct.. took all the cash, and boom, she was gone!

 

That didn't flatten me for long, I just started it up again (Anna Marco Models Int).. and continued working with the agencies I was previously scouting for.. Incorporated booking talent for tv episodes and commercials into this world.  Had seminars with casting directors, and model scouts came from as far as Tai Pai to scout models.

 

It was really tough back then without the internet, so it was off to the post office constantly mailing away 9 x 11's or poloroids to the agencies.  Waiting until the magazines came in, to rip out the 'tear sheets' and plaster them on our walls.. but don't get me wrong.. it was absolutely awesome!!  I even managed to scout a girl right off the Maury Povich show!

 

I then moved to Toronto to work in the agency.. 

During that time, I began to pick up furniture abandoned on the side of the road, painted/decoupaged it and supplied stores on Queen street.  A shop became vacant across the street from where I was living (upper beaches), so I took over the whole building, living on the top floor.. with my shop below.. 

 

I remember thinking.. if I had a dollar for all those people coming in to WATCH me work on my furniture orders -> and that is how Junk 'n Java was born.  Stopped scouting, dove right in.. and loved every second of it!

 

Due to a really bad relationship (we all know that happens), took a dating break, then ended up moving back to Peterborough in 2001.. Where, I met the love of my life in Feb. 2002.  Once again, I grabbed a location and started up "All funked Up" basically, the same concept as Junk n Java.. but this time, I incorporated a consignment aspect into the business.

 

And..

This is where the fashion comes in. 

Even though I had dabbled in remaking clothing from as young as I can remember, a designer ran into my shop one day who knew I 'secretly' worked on clothing designs.. and asked me to be one of the designers at Artspace..

 

I wasn't interested, but after seeing such desperation - there weren't many designers around, I thought I could do a few designs for her. 

I grabbed a bag of half finished clothing, got to work, and designed a collection in under a week.  It turned out, that I was the highest seller of the night!  Took my first bow as a designer, and that moment shifted my life.. (I remember every second of it), like it was yesterday..

 

My husband got transferred to Muskoka.. so off we went. 

Met the Opera House manager who talked me into doing a show.. that is where 'Naked in Muskoka' was born, standing there in the middle of the stage, looking out at the seats.. I could actually 'see' this show, and hear the music coming from the sound booth up above. It's funny when inspiration hits you like a dart!

 

Had great success, with a crazy amount of press.  I agreed to do it once again, and the following year along came Backstage Pass.. which focused on the kids being the designers, and coaching them along.

 

During those shows, I had a shops called Vintage Nouveau and House of Ray.. That is where my main focus remained, however I still managed to go back to Toronto to do The Clothing Show for 2 collections.. 

 

Then the Star Quest season was upon us (contest for singer/song writers) at the Gravenhurst Opera House. 

I was asked to guest judge on a panel of 4 which cemented my role into becoming one of 2 permanent judges, along side Brian James of 101.5. 

 

During the last year, I was able to help chose the judging panel, as I was moving to Calgary, but managed to make it back to judge the last show and grand finale.  It was an amazing experience, working with The Agency, who assists the Canadian Idol contestants into their music career.  They also represent Nickleback, Kevin Costner's band, Dolly Parton & Carly Rae Jepsen.

*Carly even showed up to perform and judge the very first show.

 

It's all a blur.. but during that time, I had a 6 page spread in Muskoka Magazine (Survivorman's issue) for making a dress for a Miss Universe Canada contestant.  If that wasn't enough, I also created & launched a made-for-TV series, became a Community Producer for TV Cogeco, as well as a Host of The MODelle Squad.. This show let people write in, and then gave unsuspecting woman a chance to become a model for a day, have a makeover, and do a photo shoot.  And.. you guessed it, I was designing the whole time. *You can check out that world under The MODelle Squad (and then scroll down, to see a couple of makeovers pre-Squad days).

 

How to buy..

My sales may have a lower count on Etsy.. but don't let that fool you..

Some people prefer not to use creditcards.  Over the years.. I've sold through shops, oersonally, booths, markets, and orders - including wholesale.. and (believe it or not) on facebook.  Where there's a will, there's a way.. afterall, it's fashion - and one of a kind at that.  It's a must have.. so we 'make' it work! ha ha

 

As you can see, there isn't a moment that I'm 'not' doing something..

I just keep going like the energizer bunny.. even doing all of my own photoshoots:  styling, photography, editing.. just loving it all.

 

I think that has pretty much filled you in..

I appologize for the lack of my presence online (pinterest, instagram etc).. I'm old school and very happy about that, which is HOW I stay sooo productive.  I try to keep my peeps filled in as much as possible with facebook, and it's the first place I upload my photos after a shoot.. then, gradually, I'm able to get a few designs on Etsy.

 

If you have any questions, or ideas about design.. send me email, and let's put our heads together..

I am open to wholesale orders and love to help you out by working around your budget.. and yes, I've revamped a closet or two, making over some pretty tired clothing, and breathing some creative life into the mix. 

 

The only advice I have to give is, do something. It doesn't matter what it is.. just something! 

My mom has always said to me busy hands, happy heart..

 

It's sooo true.

I couldn't have a better life, husband, kids, grand daughter or kitty.. My friends are stellar.. and 90% of my clients become my friends too, so watch out - buyer beware.. literally!  You probably get ME right along with my design!  ha ha

 

Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.  Now.. back to my world of design I go.  ;)

 

<3 Anne xo