This field note is a letter from the road, half way through a month-long work trip where I'm meeting with materials suppliers, attending a conference + catching up with like-minded creatives in the ethical business space.
I'm sitting here in Paris, waiting for a train + then a bus to visit friends for the weekend, taking some time out to recalibrate in the countryside.
Milan was the first stop in my travels, with the materials fair Lineapelle this year being a smaller affair than typical, yet still an opportunity to see trends + meet some new suppliers. One of note is Turkish business Gozen, who are growing their leather alternatives from microorganisms. Female founder Ece Gozen, along with her team, has built materials with a future forward appearance + handfeel - they have a unique, exciting story to share.
Milan was a contrast in weather - la dolce vita for arrival, then torrential rain + the street where I stayed transforming to a river. All in a days' work for the Milanese apparently. I also took a train ride to Bologna while in Italy, visiting a vintage archive of fashion - a collection that has been accrued over decades of passionate curation. I will always seek inspiration from that which lived in times past - it’s how I learn construction, technique, material.
Seeking to know the history of how we’ve decorated ourselves over the years, nurtures raw creativity for me, far more than Pinterest scrolling. Both have a place in a creative role, but I do love a dusty archive, a ramshackle market stand + fossicking for forgotten treasures.
In London, I had the opportunity + privilege to interview Alexis Gauthier, Michelin star chef + leader of 3 restaurants in the city. I’m looking forward to sharing the conversation with you all very soon. If you find yourself in London, I can’t recommend highly enough dining at either Gauthier Soho, 123V at Browns or Gauthier Studio. Modern, clever + delicious food.
Friend of Sans Beast, photographer + videographer Charlie Ashfield captured the conversation with Alexis + she also spent time with me, wandering London on a sunny Saturday morning recording some elements that make up my time on these trips - hunting, gathering, sitting in whatever park I can find + generally soaking up everything possible while far from home. Will be sharing those BTS moments soon.
Paris brought a meeting with pioneering ‘new fur’ business Bio-fluff, as well as thousands of steps around the city, absorbing the art, culture + of course fashion of the streets during PFW.
I'm halfway through this trip, with Berlin + Warsaw + attendance at the Business Fashion Environment Summit, held by Vogue Poland + BSG. XXXX ??
Travelling inspires, educates + uplifts me - and provides time alone to consider next steps for our brand. Nothing like visiting stores across the globe to remind me how much 'product' is available to people. The volume of choice could be mentally debilitating - and sometimes it is - but my current state of mind is one of pride that we stand for something + our story is real. I've never sought to be a hot, viral brand - I seek instead to share my ethos + create pieces that represent style, function + versatility. All conveyed with an ethical heart + a strong voice.
October 1st, the world bid farewell to Jane Goodall. She was a shining light in what can often feel like a very dark world + she will be missed. I hope her words, actions + inspiration will continue to live on. "If only we can overcome cruelty, to human and animal. With love and compassion, we shall stand at the threshold of a new era in human moral and spiritual evolution."
Thanks for reading.
CW 💋