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This photo was from last week shooting the new one of one rug drop. I love how the rugs came out. Each rug rustic, handmade, Persian, and absolutely stunning. It’s been fun watching this concept grow from an idea that popped in my head randomly while shipping a package into a rug collection that people are enjoying.
What I didn’t realize was how this rug collection would help me, personally. Building the campaign with Charles, Fran and Christina, the carrying of the rugs up and down flights of stairs and moving furniture, getting creative and blasting music while dusting off my camera again and taking photos. That feeling of moving (and sweating) and doing something - it brought me back to life. Reminded me of that 22 year old girl who would sit and dream up collections that no one would buy. I feel like this past year keeps reminding me of this girl, and I only see her when I follow through. Pre covid, travel would bring me back to myself. The getting on an airplane, sitting in my seat, putting on my seatbelt, listening to the flight attendant tell me the weather of our new destination. I was able to turn off and forget about the world and come back to me. But did that really serve me, 100% of the time? Did that bring me closer to myself? Or did it just distract me for a while. I mean distractions are necessary, but the coming back to myself this year has been life-changing. I am rewiring and rewriting old patterns, and slowly stepping forwards in new truths that I would pass off as crazy thoughts. The people I keep around me, the energy I choose to accept, the boundaries I have laid, the lies and manipulation I can so easily detect, the people who only like me when it’s convenient for them. I see it so clearly. I don’t believe a trip to Paris would have brought me to these realizations. It was the listening to a “crazy” idea that popped into my head, believing in that idea, telling myself I had nothing to lose and following through. It was booking the studios and shooting alone - laughing at myself as I was dripping sweat carrying those rugs. It was editing the photos and seeing Charles’s video for the first time and dropping a one of one rug collection with blue embroidered flowers on them, convinced no one would like it. I am excited to travel, to get inspired and meet new people. Traveling is so important to who I am a person and my brand. But I will now always take the time to move and get messy and sweaty, follow those crazy ideas with force rather than hesitation. I will believe in my power just a little more because I’ve proven to myself that I actually do have a voice, and there is magic in being bold.
So this leads me to the purpose of this post, patience. I notice myself in the in-between. The restaurant and hotel openings can’t come fast enough (there are 8), the new projects can’t start fast enough, the new adventure can’t come sooner… I noticed myself thinking and speaking these thoughts, until I heard a voice say “Patience, I am teaching you how to be patient again”. It’s a funny thing this patience. I remember the last time I felt it this heavily. I was 22 years old and was in the in-between. I wanted to jump into textile, move to new york city, follow this crazy dream I had. I was caught between a life I was outgrowing, and a life I was ready to step into. But it took time, and when the door opened it was an experience greater than I could have imagined because I was prepared. I remember learning that patience does not mean stand still and do nothing for something to happen. Patience means work hard and continue to be consistent until that door opens. Because when it does, you will have to be prepared. These rug drops, collaborations, change in my strategy, embroidered linen - this is all in preparation for what is to come. One of the main lessons I learned from that first period of in-between was: I wish I appreciated it more. I wish I sat in those moments and appreciated my growth and my journey, myself and those around me. I was so focused that I forget a lot during that time. I don’t want to make that mistake this time. I don’t want to forget those moments of shooting and climbing up flights of stairs laughing to myself. So I am preparing, working with consistency, and taking the time to sit in the love around me and appreciate the love I have for myself and what I’ve built. x C