Editor's Letter: May 2020

New York is on pause for how many weeks now? I actually stopped counting. Rather than passively waiting for the un-pause, I've decided to be productive, trying all sorts of things I would have never thought of even trying. Life as we know is upended, but that does not necessarily mean we have no control over the way we go about our lives. I must give credit to Governor Cuomo for his daily briefings because they injected a dose of composure back in my life. Otherwise, I would be rattling in the four corners of my small Manhattan studio. One month has already passed since I started this blog. More than 2,000 people paid a visit, for which I am truly grateful. So here's a little gift I'm giving back to you as a token of appreciation.

In the wee hours of the morning (while prepping for my law school finals), a thought occurred to me. I should take more initiative than this. Of course, I take great delight in the fact that I can "report" what's happening in the fashion industry in (almost) real-time in combination with the knowledge I learned from law school classes. Don't get me wrong here! But why should I stop here? So, for the month of May, I will be sharing my original interviews with casting directors. Stay tuned for who will be appearing as my guests. You would be more than surprised for sure. I can guarantee that.

As much as I am undergoing a personal transformation, fashion is reinventing and reimagining its future, too. Designers (from Pierpaolo Piccioli to Stella McCartney) are pressing forward the agenda of product cycle in the larger context of sustainability and are in unison in inching towards that noble goal. Fashion magazines are experimenting in various ways, too. Magazine covers now feature enthralling illustrations (American Vogue), computer-generated models (Vogue Italia), and, of course, screen-captured images on Zoom (i-D). The experimentation will continue, as it seems highly unlikely that photoshoots that involve intimate contacts would resume. Fashion weeks, the jewel of fashion, is serially cancelled as well. The London Fashion Week announced a few weeks ago that it intends to recreate the event with digital showrooms and Zoom webinars. Things happened so fast with the pandemic, so everything can't be perfect. However, it is reassuring to witness fashion's talents are doing the best they can to continue to serve the audience.

As a concluding remark, I thank tremendously all the heroes on the frontline who's fighting against the virus to keep all of us safe. I know it's a really stressful time (it would be a lie if I say it doesn't), but thinking of them makes me realize how privileged I am to be able to take a sip of coffee and pen this letter.