For a while there, high-end fashion designer Maria Pinto was flying high. Her signature sheath dresses were the favorites of high-powered female execs, showbiz elite and even the FLOTUS herself. (Remember that sleeveless little purple number Mrs. Obama wore at the 2008 Democratic Convention? That was classic Pinto.)

Then in 2010, thanks to the tanking economy, Pinto, like so many of us, took a major hit and was forced to shutter her tony Chicago boutique and cease production of her line. ''After 20 years of pursuing my greatest passion and striving to build a successful high-end fashion business, the time has come for a new chapter in my life," she said at the time.

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Now, the new chapter is upon her. Taking to Kickstarter -- the online funding site that has helped little-engines-that-could companies get the seed money they needed to get rolling -- Pinto is looking to secure $250,000 within 45 days to fund her new, affordable, M2057 line.

The new offering, priced from $75 to $250, includes seven dresses, two jackets, a shrug and two scarves -- all made from fine Italian jersey.

So far, 5 days into the effort, with $16,485 pledged, Pinto has reached 7 percent of her funding goal.

The way it works is that, "By backing the M2057 Kickstarter, you are pre-ordering beautiful, high quality dresses, jackets, and wraps that will be available for delivery in March 2014. Pre-order now, and we'll follow up with you once the campaign closes for your order details (including size, style, and color selections)."

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You can check out the entire M2057 line here and, if you're so inclined, help to make Maria Pinto's second chapter a worthy read.