let the sun shine

Brooklyn-based designer Lily Raskind can now claim two entries in the universal Murphy's Law archive. The first, datelined "recently" and subcategorized "mixed blessings," came as Raskind took stock of the fact that her line, Sunshine & Shadow, had grown so successful so quickly that the time she was spending on the business end of the brand had eaten into the time she figured ought to be devoted to designing it. Thus, in a decision she describes as the toughest of her young life, Raskind called a temporary halt to Sunshine & Shadow, electing not to produce a Fall '08 collection and instead holding buyers at bay with two relatively easy and enjoyable-to-make accessories: bright, hand-dyed scarves in four colors, and a sherpa-style knit hat. "I figured that way, I could keep myself present at a few stores at the same time that I took a break to write a business plan, etc.," Raskind explains. Entry number two, subcategorized "best-laid plans": Sunshine & Shadow's scarves and hats have proved so popular, the line has actually picked up stores for fall, and, in strict dollar amounts, equaled the success of her breakthrough collection of a year ago. "It's gratifying, obviously, and I'd never in a million years complain about people liking my stuff. But the fact that everyone's so into the accessories means I'm not exactly taking a season off." Fans of Sunshine & Shadow's wearably left-of-center separates can also take comfort in the fact that Raskind will, in fact, be designing a few pieces for the coming season, a capsule collection exclusive to Steven Alan. And in the meantime, if anyone knows an intern-type person who'd like to help out dying a couple of thousand scarves, Raskind is taking applications now.



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