Thursday 2 April 2015
Friday 17 January 2014
Run your own race, the fun part is the journey not the finishing line!
So, it's been literally 2 years since my last post- how time does fly!! It's been two productive years however, and I'm beyond pleased to have a website back online, a new accessories range on sale and the beginnings of a menswear revolution underway. A promise to myself this year is to allocate a healthy proportion of time to updating this blog and flexing the proverbial writing muscles, so please don't forget to call back in to see/ read what's new.
One thing I'm really excited to write about is the amazing creatives I come across, they're all over the place and so inspiring!! Which brings me to the subject of this post, my motto over the last few years and moving forward is 'run your own race' don't get absorbed with where you think you should be based on the social determination of convention, life isn't pre-determined it twists and turns to the rhythm of your feet, paths appear, disappear and are built by the power of your imagination. I recall leaving Uni almost a decade ago this year with a vision in mind of having a label and living fashion. I've achieved that several times over in different permutations but most of all I've been on a journey filled with opportunity, fun, free fall, randomness and have met people and seen places which have expanded my horizons beyond my imagination. On reflection, every single step has been inspired and I'm still treading the path, the pace changes by the second but it's my race and I'm determined to take in the sights along the way. All we have is the moment we are in, you can't change the past and you can't predict the future so live in the NOW.
And so with 2014 unwinding I look forward to the experiences ahead, and sharing it with you all...
One thing I'm really excited to write about is the amazing creatives I come across, they're all over the place and so inspiring!! Which brings me to the subject of this post, my motto over the last few years and moving forward is 'run your own race' don't get absorbed with where you think you should be based on the social determination of convention, life isn't pre-determined it twists and turns to the rhythm of your feet, paths appear, disappear and are built by the power of your imagination. I recall leaving Uni almost a decade ago this year with a vision in mind of having a label and living fashion. I've achieved that several times over in different permutations but most of all I've been on a journey filled with opportunity, fun, free fall, randomness and have met people and seen places which have expanded my horizons beyond my imagination. On reflection, every single step has been inspired and I'm still treading the path, the pace changes by the second but it's my race and I'm determined to take in the sights along the way. All we have is the moment we are in, you can't change the past and you can't predict the future so live in the NOW.
And so with 2014 unwinding I look forward to the experiences ahead, and sharing it with you all...
Wednesday 25 January 2012
These stories will be Told!: Pause, Rewind, Fast forward
These stories will be Told!: Pause, Rewind, Fast forward: I'm awash with a mix of emotions in the realisation that it's time to get back on the rollercoaster and experience the dips and ascents of ...
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Everyone wants something, but what about me?
I had something of an Epiphany today as often is the case after a long double shift. Not many people realise this but I actually have a full time job outside of what I also do with Untold, Fashion Diversity and my design work which has taken a serious back seat for the last couple of years. I am also a trustee of a Charity based in Southwark and sit on the Lambeth Enterprise Board and am committed to at least 2 other projects which will remain nameless for now.
I am a true believer in making things happen hence the organisation, its aspirations and the fact that it still exists nearly three years later without funding, sponsorship or otherwise. I do feel despondent sometimes however when people fail to grasp that the vision is bigger than just me as an individual. In founding Untold, it was an answer to a problem I encountered and saw others facing also, lack of opportunity, funds and a closed doors attitude in an industry where raw talent simply isn't enough.
Far from being the person who complains and feels defeated and demoralised I did a lot of soul searching and made a call to action. I have never shied away from hard work and ever since I could legally work I have been in employment of some description pragmatism for me is essential. The journey was never a short one and was always going to be a winding road with many twists and turns, however it was never an option not to embark upon it. My ethos as some will know is to be a leader and not a follower. Everything started somewhere from Sainsburys to the Bank of England someone had to turn the vision into reality and find the people to share in that vision and take it to fruition. But as I sit here writing this, I ask how much of myself can I give?
Yes, I chose to embark on the journey and I galvanised the troops found the talent and enlisted the support, but at the end of the day is it still a one woman band? I haven't dared add up or account for the personal sacrifices and investment I have put into this over the last three years, to give you an idea, whatever you're thinking keep adding the zeros then times by 10! But to what end I ask myself, is there a real need, or did I just imagine there was, as I see it everyone else around benefits from it but I feel creatively repressed and continue to sink my energy and finance into something which appears a thankless endeavour.
The company was incorporated in 2008 as a Community Interest Company the key was the 'Community' the strength in numbers of the countless creatives who roam the world with stories left Untold the vision came with such clarity of mind that it had to be right but will it end up being the cross that I alone bear....?
Sometimes the hardest thing is to know when to step away and admit that the current journey has ended and a new one is due to begin. The story is always the same, few people appreciate things whilst they are there and functioning but everyone has an opinion when it has gone- so I ask the question, how will Untold survive without the support of the Community it is set up to serve?
I am a true believer in making things happen hence the organisation, its aspirations and the fact that it still exists nearly three years later without funding, sponsorship or otherwise. I do feel despondent sometimes however when people fail to grasp that the vision is bigger than just me as an individual. In founding Untold, it was an answer to a problem I encountered and saw others facing also, lack of opportunity, funds and a closed doors attitude in an industry where raw talent simply isn't enough.
Far from being the person who complains and feels defeated and demoralised I did a lot of soul searching and made a call to action. I have never shied away from hard work and ever since I could legally work I have been in employment of some description pragmatism for me is essential. The journey was never a short one and was always going to be a winding road with many twists and turns, however it was never an option not to embark upon it. My ethos as some will know is to be a leader and not a follower. Everything started somewhere from Sainsburys to the Bank of England someone had to turn the vision into reality and find the people to share in that vision and take it to fruition. But as I sit here writing this, I ask how much of myself can I give?
Yes, I chose to embark on the journey and I galvanised the troops found the talent and enlisted the support, but at the end of the day is it still a one woman band? I haven't dared add up or account for the personal sacrifices and investment I have put into this over the last three years, to give you an idea, whatever you're thinking keep adding the zeros then times by 10! But to what end I ask myself, is there a real need, or did I just imagine there was, as I see it everyone else around benefits from it but I feel creatively repressed and continue to sink my energy and finance into something which appears a thankless endeavour.
The company was incorporated in 2008 as a Community Interest Company the key was the 'Community' the strength in numbers of the countless creatives who roam the world with stories left Untold the vision came with such clarity of mind that it had to be right but will it end up being the cross that I alone bear....?
Sometimes the hardest thing is to know when to step away and admit that the current journey has ended and a new one is due to begin. The story is always the same, few people appreciate things whilst they are there and functioning but everyone has an opinion when it has gone- so I ask the question, how will Untold survive without the support of the Community it is set up to serve?
Monday 22 March 2010
You couldn't make it up!
A little bit random, but I thought I'd start with a couple of my 'you couldn't make it up' classics to tickle some ribs.
For no particular reason, these are about guys only because they come to mind right now and I'm in stitches thinking about them!
Scenario One:
a few years back I was dating a guy who was a little on the edge of upstanding citizen status for want of a better expression.
So, around 1am one night I had a phone call which woke me from my sleep with an invitation to go out for something to eat- the clue is in the detail, he called me to invite me for a meal/ snack out.
It was a Sunday and against better judgement and with a lookbook to get done for the morning, I exercised spontanaeity, and thought hey a couple of hours won't kill me, should be fun.
So, he pulls up about half an hour later and I jump in the car and we head off to a well known all night diner in the Farringdon area. This was my first visit so I had no preconceptions of what sort of place it would be.
We parked up, got seated, looked at the menu and ordered a substantial selection of; pancakes, burgers, fries, shakes etc, it was fun to just have a selection and go with the flow as it were.
So, having got through the feast and had a laugh along the way doing a bit of people watching- if you've been to the diner you'll understand, it's an extremely mixed crowd.
So then, we get to the bill which he expertly requested with an asserted nod of the head, it duly arrived and was placed on our table.
The exact expression which I will never forget was:
'Babe, can you get this.'
At this point I refer you to the first two paragraphs, I was invited to go out for a bite to eat, had been woken from sleep and clumsily got dressed and had left with no handbag.
A range of expletives ran through my head at that point and my temples began pulsating rapidly, only force of habit saved me from embarassment that day. I had, as always, slipped my plastic into the back pocket of my jeans as a 'just in case'. Had I not, the liklihood is I would have had my first random experience of dishwashing or waiting tables or worse...
And to the above the only words I have are- You couldn't make it up if you tried!
Scenario Two:
This one is fairly current but it's still making me chuckle...
I'd been out to meet some old friends from school and was duly on my journey home about another 10 minutes away, the temperature had dropped and so I was powerwalking to forget the numb feeling creeping up my legs (I was wearing trousers I might add).
Anyway, half way down the road a car pulls up and I hear a window winding itself down. As it's dark and the road fairly deserted and I'm wearing my purple suede boots which are NOT made for running, I decide to be polite and see what it is the person in the car wants.
Guy in car: Hi, two things...
Me: ok...
Guy in car: How do I get to Elephant & Castle
Me: straight ahead to the next lights and straight down the road, about 15mins away
Guy in car repeats back to me and I confirm.
Guy in car: Second, when can I take you out?
Me: (completely caught off guard) Are you serious?!
Guy in car: you're looking nice
Me: You haven't even asked for my name (in disgust)
We then establish names
Me: I'll give you my card, you can e-mail me
Guy in car: Where are you from? You're well spoken- you sound too good for me!!
Me: You're not selling yourself well!
Guy in car: I'll be in touch
FYI, he didn't get in touch, but I was more concerned by the expression 'you sound too good for me'- That you could not make up! Hilarious.
For no particular reason, these are about guys only because they come to mind right now and I'm in stitches thinking about them!
Scenario One:
a few years back I was dating a guy who was a little on the edge of upstanding citizen status for want of a better expression.
So, around 1am one night I had a phone call which woke me from my sleep with an invitation to go out for something to eat- the clue is in the detail, he called me to invite me for a meal/ snack out.
It was a Sunday and against better judgement and with a lookbook to get done for the morning, I exercised spontanaeity, and thought hey a couple of hours won't kill me, should be fun.
So, he pulls up about half an hour later and I jump in the car and we head off to a well known all night diner in the Farringdon area. This was my first visit so I had no preconceptions of what sort of place it would be.
We parked up, got seated, looked at the menu and ordered a substantial selection of; pancakes, burgers, fries, shakes etc, it was fun to just have a selection and go with the flow as it were.
So, having got through the feast and had a laugh along the way doing a bit of people watching- if you've been to the diner you'll understand, it's an extremely mixed crowd.
So then, we get to the bill which he expertly requested with an asserted nod of the head, it duly arrived and was placed on our table.
The exact expression which I will never forget was:
'Babe, can you get this.'
At this point I refer you to the first two paragraphs, I was invited to go out for a bite to eat, had been woken from sleep and clumsily got dressed and had left with no handbag.
A range of expletives ran through my head at that point and my temples began pulsating rapidly, only force of habit saved me from embarassment that day. I had, as always, slipped my plastic into the back pocket of my jeans as a 'just in case'. Had I not, the liklihood is I would have had my first random experience of dishwashing or waiting tables or worse...
And to the above the only words I have are- You couldn't make it up if you tried!
Scenario Two:
This one is fairly current but it's still making me chuckle...
I'd been out to meet some old friends from school and was duly on my journey home about another 10 minutes away, the temperature had dropped and so I was powerwalking to forget the numb feeling creeping up my legs (I was wearing trousers I might add).
Anyway, half way down the road a car pulls up and I hear a window winding itself down. As it's dark and the road fairly deserted and I'm wearing my purple suede boots which are NOT made for running, I decide to be polite and see what it is the person in the car wants.
Guy in car: Hi, two things...
Me: ok...
Guy in car: How do I get to Elephant & Castle
Me: straight ahead to the next lights and straight down the road, about 15mins away
Guy in car repeats back to me and I confirm.
Guy in car: Second, when can I take you out?
Me: (completely caught off guard) Are you serious?!
Guy in car: you're looking nice
Me: You haven't even asked for my name (in disgust)
We then establish names
Me: I'll give you my card, you can e-mail me
Guy in car: Where are you from? You're well spoken- you sound too good for me!!
Me: You're not selling yourself well!
Guy in car: I'll be in touch
FYI, he didn't get in touch, but I was more concerned by the expression 'you sound too good for me'- That you could not make up! Hilarious.
The turn in the road..
What a journey it's been so far, and it's only March 22nd, I started the year with a clear mind and strong resolve to learn from the mishaps of last year and strengthen the foundations I began to lay last year. I'm not sure if the path is curving in the direction I envisaged but already I can see the edge and my toes are edging towards it, but I'm not quite looking down...
Along with some exciting developments, there remain things on the 'to-do' list which stay eternally untouched- I need a PA and I'm on the verge of resulting to drastic measures to acquire one!
It was never meant to be easy but I crave the freedom to just do me for a while and be immersed in creativity once again... That's my mission for the next 9 months to recapture the inner creative and never let go.
Along with some exciting developments, there remain things on the 'to-do' list which stay eternally untouched- I need a PA and I'm on the verge of resulting to drastic measures to acquire one!
It was never meant to be easy but I crave the freedom to just do me for a while and be immersed in creativity once again... That's my mission for the next 9 months to recapture the inner creative and never let go.
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