Way Down in China Town

For the first time, I actually liked my job today! Maybe it was that I was wearing a new dress, walking around on a beautiful fall day, or maybe I'm in some state of denial?

I spent the majority of the morning teaching my new intern (yes, an intern for an intern), and the afternoon wandering garden districts, China Town, and anywhere else I could find alternative materials. I was on a hunt for plastics, vinyls, canvas, anything not traditionally used as fabric I could get my hands on.

Maybe it was the chill in the air, or maybe it was the lack of text messages from my insistent boss, but something about having any creative freedom gave me a spring in my step. I felt, for the first time in ages, like I was actually using my brain. Throughout this experience I have been doing only what other people tell me. 'Go to fabric stores!' 'Go pick this up!' 'Go drop this off!' 'Go!' 'Go!' 'Go!' I hardly ever have a moment to sit down and think...I am in a constant state of do.

So, today I was able to zone out, listen to music, and do what I do best...

IMAGINE.

Browsing through gardening stores, plastic stores, art stores, and hardware stores.I had a chance to imagine what I could make out of any of the items on the shelves. There is a whole other element to 'alternative' material pieces. In my mind it is the most artisitic. It becomes three dimensional works of art...more than just something pretty to wear, and if it can accomplish both, even better! Regardless if anything I found makes it to the runway, I enjoyed my gasp of fresh air, mango bubble tea, and afternoon of feeling the artist within. This was the New York that film makers, musicians, writers, and artists are drawn to...this was the New York people dream about.