Topnotch Design Incorporated

11/04/2023

The Oscar-winning actress expressed frustration over ASL interpreters not being visible in news coverage around the Wednesday shooting, which counts members of the Deaf community among the victims.

01/27/2022

05/15/2021

It is such a joy to work on your creative clothing projects with you! Either as the designer/creator or collaborator! Let's get making!

04/17/2021

I am looking for models (no experience necessary) that would be available for fantasy/wedding work. I have a fantasy festival and grand opening of the shop that I am getting ready for. That means I need folx that would be interested in wearing/working these events for me. Yes, these are my designs, so you must be ready to wear some beautiful but non-traditional garments. ;) The events are mid July. Please PM me if you are interested! The fantasy festival is in the cities and grand opening is at my shop. Love to all! Have a great weekend!

04/17/2021

Hi everyone! I hope this finds you all well! It has been a busy few months as I find a happy medium between my new job and running the business. Evenings and weekends are working out great! In May we will begin opening up for drop in business rather than strictly appointment only!!! Yay!!!

02/14/2021

Happy Valentines Day!!! We sure miss everyone and the fun of creating so many cool things. Two things:
1. We are having a few issues getting things finished right now as we work out having stitchers take on most sewing/alteration projects. Please be patient with us as we streamline this process.
2. We are really wanting to get started on our re-purposing gowns. Do you have a gown that you are done with but don't want to just donate it, or try to sell it? Please PM Kristy! We would love to re-work it and get your gown out to someone new. Right now, I am just looking for donations or really low cost wedding and special occasion garments as we are not making much money right now. I can even take a picture and keep your information in a database so that I can show you the re-worked garment. :)

01/28/2021

Hi friends. Just a reminder that I can't take calls during the day anymore. I have an 8-5 job. I can and will return calls from 7-9 in the evening and 10-5 on weekends.

01/26/2021

Good morning! Just a reminder that I am available by appointment M-F 7-10 P.M. and weekends 10-5.
Give me a call at 218-216-7173 and leave a message (I can't take calls during the day).
I have started a new job to keep the bills paid and feed the family. As always, totally ready to help make beautiful things for you! :)

01/12/2021

Good morning, friends. In trying to stay positive and productive, I just wanted to get on today and send you all some care/love. I am busy working on masks, curtains, lamp shades, and the never ending building prep. I wish you all light and love this week!

12/29/2020

Who is ready for a Regency (aka Bridgerton) inspired wedding? I am! And guess what!?! I am both a dress maker and tailor so...let's get the whole wedding party done! I LOVE the Regency time period and have studied it extensively.

12/26/2020

We hope all that celebrate had a Merry Christmas! We are back at it here in the studio - waiting on fabrics and working on the continual painting of rooms. We also still had a bit of dig out to get done after the last storm. It looks like we have another one coming...welcome to winter in the northland! Well, have a great weekend and we hope to see you when it is safe in the new year to get these parties started (and look great celebrating)! Much love and care to all!

12/22/2020

I am working on getting a blog going on the website. I am treating it as a weekly letter to let you all know what I am up to. :) Anyway, head on over to the website and take a look at my musings. LOL.
https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/

Custom Bridal & ClothierAlso offering quality fabric face masks. Bride: Shaylee Farrell Photographer: Missy Anderson  Custom DesignAre you tired of trying to make box store fashion work for you, especially for special occasion and workwear? So are we. Handcrafted and designed just for you! Our prod...

12/17/2020

Do you need a last minute gift? We've got you with gift certificates or masks! The website is always open!

12/17/2020

Starting January 4, 2021! Kristy will be available for design consultations weeknights from 7-10 and weekends from 10 A.M - 5 P.M. We can't wait to get started making beautiful clothing for you!!!

12/15/2020

It is busy at the studio right now. I wish it was busy with orders, but...we are busy with getting the physical building ready to go instead. I hope we will see many of you in the new year to plan beautiful, one of a kind garments! I am hopeful that you are all staying safe! Please remember that we are trying to do the same. We can do design consultations via phone, zoom, google meet, email...etc! We can do distanced f2f meetings - just call, email, or message us regarding a time to do so.

12/08/2020

Do you know what makes us happy? Researching recycled and/or eco forward fabrics! I am excited about sourcing some amazing fabrics for a project that is focused on a strong environmentally positive product. There are some amazing new technologies out there! I cannot wait to begin work with these products.

12/07/2020

Let's challenge our designer!

Give us a 2-3 word description of a dress you would like to see sketched up. Kristy will pick one and put pen to paper. The person belonging to the description she picks will get a $25 gift card!

*Kristy says: Challenge Accepted!*

12/03/2020

12/01/2020

Happy Giving Tuesday!
Please consider donating to JJ's Promise via our website. This was created by our son JJ, who is Deaf. We are committed to making and delivering communication masks to friends and families of DHH folks (especially kids) that need the communication mask to have access to lip reading, and seeing facial expressions.

Here is the link again. Thank you all so much!!!
https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/jjs-promise

11/30/2020

JJ's Promise - Giving Tuesday

Please consider JJ's Promise donations for your Giving Tuesday!
We will make and distribute communication masks (vinyl panel to be able to lip read) to friends and family of DHH folks. Access to language/communication is so important - these masks help. All masks will also have detailed care guide to help their recipients know how to do the anti-fogging treatment and washing. Here is the link to the donation page:
https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/jjs-promise

11/28/2020

Happy Small Business Saturday!
You can find all of our products and offerings over on the website: Topnotchdesigninc.com.

Please stay safe and order online, email us, or contact us for consultations. We can do zoom meetings, detailed emails, and phone calls!

We can't wait to help you with your clothing ideas. Let's make them a reality!

Custom Bridal & ClothierAlso offering quality fabric face masks. Bride: Shaylee Farrell Photographer: Missy Anderson  Custom DesignAre you tired of trying to make box store fashion work for you, especially for special occasion and workwear? So are we. Handcrafted and designed just for you! Our prod...

11/24/2020

JJ’s Story:

JJ is our 7th grader. He attends a local middle school. He is an advocate, swimmer, and joy to all that meet him. He is one of the hardest working people we know. He had CMV and has profound hearing loss because of it. Yes, he is implanted. He is working on becoming fluent in ASL as well (Our family is learning as well - we all hope to be fluent).

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, JJ was worried about members of the DHH community being able to read lips and understand facial expression/context. He asked his mom (who is a professional clothing designer/technician) what he could do. He helped research and develop a mask that he was comfortable wearing - as was the rest of his family (JJ’s dad is also hh).

We were in the beginning phase of starting up our custom wedding and clothing business when Covid-19 made things a bit more difficult. Like most people that could sew, JJ’s mom started making fabric face coverings and was soon trying out every communication mask pattern/idea that was out there. After months of adapting and trials, they settled on a pattern they felt was safe and effective.

JJ asked if there was a way that we could get his masks to everyone that needed one...especially DHH and other children that needed them for communication. As we developed our webpage and our business, JJ’s promise took shape. We are accepting donations on our webpage and are offering a JJ’s promise mask that allows you to purchase a mask for yourself and we will donate one to someone in need.

We hope that this pandemic will ease but know that we may still need masks for a few more very important months. We would like to take this cause to the national level - but feel it is absolutely important to make sure we are focused locally!

Please help if you can! We would love to see you visit and purchase/donate on our website: Topnotch Design Incorporated (https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/shop/p/jjs-promise)
Thank you so much for your time and potential support!!!

With respect,
The McManus Family (James, Kristy, Helena, JJ, and Joseph)

PS. Please let everyone know, so we can reach as many people who would benefit as possible.

Shop JJ's Promise - Black Friday thru Cyber Monday: Buy 4 pair get 5 pair! JJ's Promise - Black Friday thru Cyber Monday: Buy 4 pair get 5 pair! Sale Price:25.00 Original Price:30.00 sale Color: Black Gray Purple Red Blue Size: Child/Adult Small - Ear Elastic Child/Adult Small - Head Elastic Adult R...

11/24/2020

https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/jjs-promise

Everyone deserves access to language. JJ’s Promise is committed to getting communication masks to anyone that needs to see a person’s lips to understand them.Purchase JJ’s Promise Masks Make a donation.We are committed to making and providing communication masks for anyone that needs them. You...

11/24/2020

On this important sales weekend (and partaking in those things we are most thankful for), we are featuring our most important work right now...JJ's Promise. I will get out more information and JJ's story later today. Head on over to the website to partake in the awesome sale we will have for Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday on the JJ's Promise Masks!!!
https://www.topnotchdesigninc.com/shop/p/jjs-promise

11/23/2020

Dawn Johnson has a group that is looking for donations of fleece. Looking for a yard or two of fleece donated for headbands and neck warmers to be given away. She would like to make several hundred so will need a lot of fleece.

You can drop them off with us at Topnotch Design.
We are @15 West Redwing... The old AJ's Tanning.

Call ahead so we can receive your drop of safely and sanitized.
TopnotchDesignInc.com
218-216-6970 or
218-216-7173

Thank you, and enjoy your Thanksgiving!

11/20/2020

Do you have a special someone that will need special clothing or custom soft goods?

Consider teaming up with other friends and family to purchase them gift certificates that would go toward that item (Multiple folks gifting toward a bridal gown or nursery set up could be a really cool thing!).

Feel free to check out our gift certificates in the shop, contact us, or visit the website to get gifting! ❄️🎁

11/19/2020

Please do your part to protect yourself and your loved ones!

Most of what we do here at Topnotch can be done remotely. There will be time for amazing parties and get togethers in the future.

We would love to be part of that - in helping you look your best. However, we want you and yours to be safe and alive for those great events!!!

Now is the time to begin on-line design meetings and to allow yourself the time to really enjoy and think about your special day...that can happen when it is safe! Spend some time with us in a safe and productive digital manner.

11/13/2020

Covid precautions are in full swing here in the studio. Masks, handwashing, air exchange, 3 day sitting period before shipping to ensure product is as safe as possible. Anyone coming into the studio must be masked and sanitize hands. The studio is locked to ensure that we greet every single person and make sure they are masked and hands are sanitized. Also, we maintain 6+ feet social distance if a client is in the building. I have worked out awesome ways to work with clients online and can do some fittings via video chat. Bring it on, Covid. We have clients to make happy.

11/11/2020

To all Veterans - we thank you for your service. Today we will take time to really reflect on that service and the sacrifices made by so many. 🇺🇸

11/10/2020

Quality face coverings that are also comfortable and adjustable are our specialty right now. We have full fabric as well as communication masks available in a variety of colors and prints. Have a favorite team, character, or theme...we can try and find fabric just for you! Head on over to our shop or visit Topnotchdesigninc.com to order. We can ship, deliver in the Duluth, MN area, and do contactless pick up at our studio.