#003 A place to explore my creativity
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“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” -Albert Einstein
In the early stages, after completing my moodboard and the brand identity, I found myself at a crossroads. I realised that external opinions were overshadowing my own vision. While seeking feedback can be beneficial, this habit left me feeling more confused than confident. So, I decided it was time to stop asking for opinions and start being true to myself.
Staying True to My Vision
Sure, I wanted people to like what I was creating, but I realised I was straying from my original idea and it felt less like my vision. I needed to talk less and do more. So I made a conscious decision to shift from talking about my ideas to actively pursuing them. Embracing a "less talk, more action" approach, I embarked on a journey of creative exploration. During this initial phase, I wanted to question only myself to build Bísó’s brand identity, asking myself questions such as "What message did I truly want to convey through this brand? What type of clothing did I envision? And how did I imagine collaborating on this project?". At one point, I needed a calm space to explore my creativity without distractions or people around.
But where?
I chose the Southern French countryside, at my grandparents' place, as my creative sanctuary. It's the most peaceful place you can imagine—quiet, beautiful, and cozy. My grandparents kindly let me use my grandma's old painting studio as my own creative space. It was a mess at first, but with some cleaning and organising, it became the perfect place to bring my ideas to life. My grandpa even helped me build a functional sewing/cutting table, which made all the difference—a wonderful memory (being supported by family makes the adventure easier). Now, let’s be honest, I’m good at sewing, but I don’t always enjoy it. What I really love is coming up with new ideas. I've always had a creative spirit, but when it comes time to bring my designs to life, my patience has its limits—indeed, sewing demands a lot, and patience is a virtue I need to work on. All of that to say, developing the designs by myself was the only way I could afford to start my fashion brand. So having a dedicated, organised, and optimal workspace was essential to tackle the sewing task properly and make it easier.
Being alone proved to be the key
I finally had a space where I could sketch, sew, create patterns, tackle challenges, and even let out a loud scream or shed a few tears when things didn't go as planned. After 4 months of isolated life, the result? A robust business plan, a defined brand identity, and nearly completed prototypes. Being alone proved to be the key, allowing me to concentrate on my ideas and concepts.
I felt empowered to make decisions and take risks independently, and my creativity flourished in the tranquillity. Yet, I miss city life sometimes and, of course, my friends. So, I eventually take some breaks to go back to the frenetic life.
Nowadays, I balance my time between the quiet countryside and the busy city. It’s the best of both worlds, and it works for me and my brand.
My recap, lessons learned and rewards
Challenges
- Returning home without feeling like a child
- Leaving my incredible life in Amsterdam
- Cultivating self-discipline
Successes
- My creativity and productivity exploded
- I am more consistent and disciplined in my work
Insights
- Living like a caveman is not really healthy at some point
- Having a space with all the equipment ready helped me stay motivated and avoid laziness
Next week, I'll delve deeper into the process of crafting the first collection, sharing the tough decisions and challenges I encountered along the way.