The last time I found myself in a long line full of impatient people at one of ZARA stores, was the end of January when the season of attractive sales was almost over. In my possession, I had an oversized cream shirt, black dress and a pair of jeans. That was the end of my rare shopping at fast-fashion stores, and beginning of the challenge to stay away from those brands for one year. I can think of quite a few reasons that developed such an idea in my mind, and that is what this post should be about. Now, I do not call anyone to stop their shopping habits. I also wish to judge no one for shopping at fast-fashion stores. However, as I developed some kind of experience in the industry, along with a particular point of view on massively produced clothes, I wish to say a few words. Obviously, I do not need to explain what most people talk about nowadays. In essence, the struggle of the environment and the impact mass production has on nature and the way we as consumers are involved in those struggles. Firstly I would suggest researching the topic on your own time because such an act of curiosity brought me to the 'no fast-fashion' challenge. Secondly, another reason that brought me to the change was my experience of working in clothing retail and fashion houses.
I have many exciting (at least to myself) topics to write about, to bring up some organization to my thoughts and to hopefully be useful to my fellow readers and such include style, mindful living, minimalism, and wardrobe tips. However, while the whole world is on pause, I felt those topics could wait until I talk of something more critical than listed ideas. After the quarantine started in the middle of March I kept telling myself that nothing significant changed in my case. I kept waking up in the morning. I kept committing to my writing routine. I stayed loyal to reading, exercising, and working on the articles from my home office.
The day of the first spring rain was marked with a third cup of “no cream no sugar” Americano, and strong wind, that made me close my wool camel coat tighter.
The same day, opening the window in my home office to let the fresh rainy air in, I noticed that snow on our backyard was lowering down. The air that flew into the open window was chilly and made me put on a warm sweater, but it was as fresh and natural as only April’s air can be. Spring finally arrived. It started blooming on my floral dresses. It was waking me up earlier, and sending me for long walks in the afternoon. It was bringing up memories and creating new ones. What can I say; spring was so committed to its work; energizing, and always full of contrasts. However, the way I was marking the arrival of the blooming season, would fall at the same time I would see Canadian geese for the first time again after a long winter.
The same day, opening the window in my home office to let the fresh rainy air in, I noticed that snow on our backyard was lowering down. The air that flew into the open window was chilly and made me put on a warm sweater, but it was as fresh and natural as only April’s air can be. Spring finally arrived. It started blooming on my floral dresses. It was waking me up earlier, and sending me for long walks in the afternoon. It was bringing up memories and creating new ones. What can I say; spring was so committed to its work; energizing, and always full of contrasts. However, the way I was marking the arrival of the blooming season, would fall at the same time I would see Canadian geese for the first time again after a long winter.
That cold April morning something incredibly unusual happened. I was exhausted, as nights and days gathered in one thick, dark and cold ball. Winter, that this year didn't end with February, not even with March, and continued its determined actions had always been severe. I was desperately searching for energy, inspiration and an extra hour of sleep. I couldn't wait for longer days and fresh spring mornings. However, that morning, leaving the car, being in the most bitter spirit condition, I felt something unusual. The snow was falling as light as a few days ago. The temperature was 20 degrees below zero. There was no sign for an earlier sunset, but a lonely Morning Star on the East side of the sky. Everything was exactly the same as yesterday, and the day before, yet the air changed.