We jumped into the world of fashion this week at New York Fashion Week 2012. We teamed up two of our core brands – Napa Smith Brewery and Tequila 3 Amigos with two very talented up and coming designers to put on an exclusive and very cool reception in NYC. The result was an awesome experience for everyone who attended and what looks to be a fantastic way in which to cross market our respective brands.

Althea Harper Designs

We teamed up with fashion designer Althea Harper. Althea Harper is a fashion designer and entrepreneur who manages her own fashion line, ALTHEA HARPER. With a cutting edge style that combines both tailoring and draping to make silhouettes appear strong and beautiful, Althea Harper is one of the breakthrough fashion designers in today’s industry. Her style reflects her experience working alongside numerous renowned designers, including Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. She is also known for her unique work in knitwear. Althea is poised to dress the women of today for tomorrow. Her designs have received much praise from industry leaders. According to Tim Gunn, former chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design and host of Project Runway, “Everyone [thinks] she’s only on the show because she’s a tall blond beauty. But she’s extremely talented. She’s going to blow people away.”

She’s extremely talented. She’s going to blow people away.
— Tim Gunn

Althea’s designs have won the attention of many people, including passionate Project Runway fans and the entertainment industry’s most respected personalities. Bloggers and fans have affectionately labeled her the “fabulous glamazon” and Tommy Hilfiger called her “genius.” Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, the Kardashians and Angela Simmons are all fans of her designs.

Althea Harper

Althea attended both University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning and Central Saint Martins in London. Following graduation she became a finalist on Project Runway Season 6. Upon completion of filming Project Runway, Althea moved to New York City

Althea Harper Designs

where Tory Burch invited her to become a part of the label’s design team. While designing for Tory Burch, she continued to build her own line, self-titled ALTHEA HARPER which has shown consistently in New York fashion week since its debut in September 2009. Althea now currently designs full time for her successful eponymous line.

In addition we had a very talented young designer of incredible jewelry, Amy Delson.  Amy’s husband Daniel and I have done business together and been friends for more than a decade.

THE JEWELRY COLLECTION
Amy Delson loves to mix vintage and new materials and artifacts in her jewelry designs, creating looks that range from minimalist to maximum glamour. Influenced by the Art Nouveau movement, her designs embrace a co-mingling of the golden and modern era and combine semi-precious stones, crystals, sterling silver, gold-plating, and other mixed metals.  Amy Delson Jewelry carries the versatility of being able to be worn alone, layered with other Amy Delson pieces, or combined with one’s own fine jewelry. It works effortlessly well with everything from a formal gown to a t-shirt and jeans.  Each piece is charmed with a Made with Love tag, reflecting the care and spirit with which each one is personally handmade and made to order. Amy Delson Jewelry pieces are designed and constructed to become cherished heirlooms that will be handed down to future generations.

AMY DELSON
Born and based in New York City, Amy Delson is the sole designer and creator of her handmade jewelry collection. She draws inspiration from her urban landscape and its layering of old and new architecture with scenic parks and a colorful spectrum of people.  Amy’s creativity and fashion point of view are influenced by her travels around the globe. Her performance background has given her a keen sense of grace and body proportion, which translates into the great wearability of the jewelry she crafts.  As fashion blogger Wendy Kaufman said upon viewing Amy’s pieces at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, “Keep an eye on this one. You’ll want her work. Really.”

Amy Delson - Designer

Amy holds a degree in English, Drama and Dance from Duke University and has performed and studied physical theater, Shakespearean and Jacobean drama and costume design at the University of Bristol, U.K. and with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. Fascinated by adornment and movement, she has danced on stages from Broadway to Washington D.C., Indiana to Charlotte, N.C. As writer and Editor of Belk department stores’ web site and View print magazine, Amy immersed herself in fashion, having the privilege of interviewing and learning from such mentors as Oscar de la Renta and Kate Spade. As Director of Marketing for the Manhattan-based real estate brokerage Citi Habitats, Amy infused her cosmopolitan style with an appreciation of urban architecture, from the Dakota building to the Flatiron and the redevelopment of Wall Street.  But it was ever since childhood that Amy has been experimenting with and cultivating a love of jewelry.
“I remember as a little girl, playing in my mother’s jewelry box with her costume and fine jewelry pieces, and the odd foreign coin, button or silver dollar that was thrown in. I would love to help her choose what combination of beaded bracelets to wear. It made a lasting impression on me how just one or two pieces could unleash a whole new style sensibility. Over the years, she has given me many of these elements to take apart and work with in my own designs.”

Amy Delson Jewelry has graced the models of Project Runway finalist Althea Harper in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and has been featured in Elle Girl and the Fearless Factor Woman of the Year Awards. Amy regularly supports an array of educational and charitable organizations through her generous contributions.  Amy and her husband Daniel reside in Manhattan with their two young sons.

Paddington Brands – Tequila 3 Amigos – Napa Smith Brewery – Fashion Week Party -

Here are a few shots the reception showcasing these designers.  We served Napa Smith Brewery’s “Lost Dog” Red Ale, Organic IPA, and seasonal “Bonfire” Imperial Porter.  We also had our famous “Fire & Ice” Tequila 3 Amigos Pineapple Serrano Pepper Margaritas.  A hit with the fashion crowd!

I’m very excited that our long overdue, updated Napa Smith Brewery website, is live!  www.napasmithbrewery.com This integrates our various social media platforms Facebook , Twitter , Youtube , among others.  You can now click on any of our beers and go right to a page with a video of master brewer Don Barkley giving you the lowdown on that beer.  We also have recently introduced QR codes into our packaging (we think we are the first craft brewer to roll this out, let me know if there are others).  You scan the QR code on the 4 pack holder and it takes you right to that brand’s page and Don’s video.  Way cool!

Check it out and let me know any suggestions as we continuously work to improve it!

Kind Regards,

Smoke

Exciting news today for Paddington Brands and Napa Smith Brewery!  Entering the Swedish market!

Napa Smith to Launch in Sweden After Organic IPA Wins Monopoly Listing

TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits appointed exclusive Swedish distributor for Paddington Brands portfolio.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, January 12, 2012 /PRNEWSWIRE/ – Paddington Brands and TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits announced today that they will partner to bring Paddington’s brand portfolio to the vibrant Swedish market. TOMP will start by launching the Napa Smith craft beer portfolio and in particular the award winning Organic IPA, which will be featured in 100 Systembolaget stores from 2nd of April 2012.

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Paddington Brands, said, “We have a very focused growth strategy with very few international targets – Sweden is one of these. So I am delighted to be partnering with Tommy Olsson and his team at TOMP to launch our brands there. TOMP is hugely respected and the perfect partner for us in what is a tough market to crack. I look forwards to a successful launch of Napa Smith’s beers and a long and fruitful relationship. We could not be more thrilled.”

Napa Smith brews a portfolio of award winning beers in Napa, California. Its portfolio is available in 30 states within the US with plans to be available nationally by early 2012. Sweden will be the first international market. Napa Smith is proud to number Whole Foods, Safeway, Beverages & More, Total Wine, Publix and now Sweden’s Systembolaget amongst its many retail partners.

“We first tasted Napa Smith’s beers 2 years ago and we were convinced that they would be a great addition to our portfolio. So winning the tender and setting launch dates is very exciting for us. Organic products are very important to the monopoly and the Napa Smith Organic IPA is utterly amazing,” said Tommy Olsson, Managing Director of TOMP Beer Wine & Spirits.

“Winning the recent IPA tender into Systembolaget is further testament to the genius of our Master Brewer, Don Barkley, coming as it does on the back of our huge success at the Great American Beer Festival. IPA the hottest segment of the US craft beer category, but many IPAs lack complexity and balance. This is proof that it is possible to brew a benchmark IPA that is drinkable and food friendly,” said Steve Morgan, President of Napa Smith Brewery and Winery. He continued, “In addition our beer is also certified organic, which makes this achievement even more noteworthy. I am confident that Sweden’s exciting craft brewing scene will take Napa Smith to heart.”

About Napa Smith Brewery
Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley – the most experienced brewer in the craft brewing industry. Come visit us at our newly opened Brewpub in Napa or on the web at www.napasmithbrewery.com.

About Paddington Brands
Paddington Brands (www.Paddingtonbrands.com) manages a portfolio of owned and agency premier import and craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Paddington owns the Napa Smith Brewery & Winery and 3 Amigos Tequila. It imports a portfolio of beers, wines and spirits including Agoston Wines (Spain), Chase Distillery (UK), Calatrasi (Italy), Gemtree Vineyards (AU), Marisco Wines (NZ). Paddington is headquartered in the Indianapolis, Ind., metro area with offices in the United Kingdom and Napa, Calif., and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets.

About TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits
TOMP is one of Sweden’s leading beer, wine and spirits importers with a portfolio that includes brands such as [yellow tail], Fish Hoek, Chang Beer and their own successful beer, Guldkallan. TOMP operates a national sales force from it base in Orebro. Seewww.tomp.se.