We can all agree that this year has been quite eventful in its own way and at the same time—idle. I had such a busy year in 2019 and I’m used to being on the go, creating and meeting new people here and there and that has all been put into a pause this year. Although I don’t think that is all that bad since I’m usually the type to stay optimistic in many ways, and I believe this year has been given to us as a sort of breather from the busy lives we live: a time for us to focus on what is important, what makes us happy, and has given us time to work on ourselves—to revaluate.

I understand that as an artist, a creative block is inevitable especially during such times but I have been able to utilize the year into focusing on the future of my brand and I’ve been able to get in touch again with the things that inspire me. I’ve always been the nostalgic type, an old soul if you will. Film, music, literature, and history heavily inspire my work and I love bringing it into the now, creating my own reality—without it ever being a cliché.

Film

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Golden Age of Old Hollywood has got to be my most favorite era of cinema. There was just something about it that totally enchanted me—the glamour of it all, the scandal, and the history. It was all very enticing to me and I couldn’t help but become obsessed—I found myself watching these films at an early age. In fact, I would rather see these films than the more “current” ones. Some of the first old Hollywood films I’ve watched were High Society and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—and I’ve been hooked ever since. 

Music

Before I create, I actually found myself making a playlist—sort of like a soundtrack for what I want to create. I curate certain tracks that would help me create a story and a vibe if you will for whatever it is—it helps me imagine and plan out things better. It could be for a new collection I’m creating, a new editorial I’d like to shoot, or even for a trip—sort of like a musical or, sound-centric mood board. My taste in music is sort of everything really, no specific genre that I stick to—I could go from the classics to jazz, to the Billboard’s Hot 100.

Literature

I’ve always been fond of reading—it’s another way of escaping reality for me. It’s a different sort of escape from watching films when I read because I am able to imagine the things I read in my head in my own way. That’s why usually when a novel is turned into a film, I prefer to read it first. F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my most favorite authors. I think I’ve read almost all of his work. I also truly enjoy the work of Capote—his most famous Breakfast at Tiffany’s, naturally. As well as the works of Bret Easton Ellis (my most favorite being American Psycho a true masterpiece in my opinion), Paulo Coelho, and for a fun and light read—Sophie Kinsella and Kevin Kwan.

History

Fashion history, to be more precise. I love to learn about how events during certain eras or time s affect fashion, beauty, art, and culture. I think it’s it’s just so interesting and I also believe it’s important for people to know and to understand how and where certain things started—pioneers of certain things, and learn about such amazing people who have contributed so much to the things that we know today.

It’s important to surround yourself with things and people that inspire you. My heart is in this world that I’ve created in my head because of all the things that constantly inspire me. When I am designing, it’s most likely for a woman or a man that I’ve watched or read about or perhaps the person I wanted to be when I was young—how I wanted to live where I wanted to be—and these were things that I was taking from film, music, literature, and history and then applying them to real life.

When you’re already doing something that you love so much, something you’re passionate about—and for me, that’s fashion—you are constantly inspired. It flows into everything you do because you are excited. And when you’re that, you will be better at what you are doing.