FASHION AND CHANGES IN 2020: a designer's review.

Many times I’ve been asked about the path I took to become a fashion designer, but rarely have I been asked why fashion. Yes, all the aesthetics involved, the possibility of creating things that don't exist, making life more beautiful, are elements that inspired me. But I think something that is natural to me is this constant change that the industry demands, I would say as a result of new experiences that invite the consumer to adapt and reinvent themselves. I am someone who looks for different things every day, and the changing nature of fashion allows me to frequently renew myself.

This 2020, I think we were all put in a blender. They say everything stopped, but I think inside, everything moved. Ideas, emotions, relationships, everything changed. The wonderful thing about change is that when you embrace it, you reinvent yourself, new things emerge. Here I share some of our experiences this year:

- From the usual in-person appointment to videoconferencing.

Before, I would hold videoconferences with remote clients, sketching and showing fabrics via video. Nowadays, local clients have also opened up to this option, and measurements can even be taken online with advice. I wouldn't say it will always be this way, but I think it's an excellent option for busy girls.

- Postponed events, transformations, and new formats.

90% of our clients moved their events to next year, which has meant more constant communication with them as we verify their new dates. But with some, we have also started to make small transformations to the dresses to integrate new elements that will place them in the context of what 2021 will be like. Some decided, for example, to have intimate civil weddings or "elopement weddings" and requested simpler styles or outfits that could be used again on other occasions.

- Face masks as a health measure and personal expression.

Initially, the mere fact of seeing myself making face masks instead of dresses, I confess, terrified me. On the other hand, how would I know if we would do it well or not? A designer friend from Paris got me into a group of designers in France in March to support each other in finding the best information and creating the most correct product. In April, I decided to make a tutorial and put a free pattern on our website, but people sought us out to make them. With dress orders on hold, this was a good income option, and then I remembered: we don't just make dresses, we give people a way to present themselves and express themselves with their clothes. So we took that small space of fabric to create something beyond a face mask. Today there are a thousand options on the market, but I think we achieved special designs that are not only aesthetic but also truly protect and pollute less. There will still be those who criticize and whose aesthetics lead them to think it is not functional, but ultimately, there is a market for everything, and I prefer to be criticized for doing something than to stand idly by for fear of what others will say.

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- Screen life and small outings equal new accessories.

Being on a video conference means wearing things that highlight your look in a very small frame, which encouraged us to create new necklaces and scarves. I confess that I was my first customer because I love them!

Like many, for months my only big outing was to the supermarket and the corner store. I realized I needed two types of bags: a large one to carry all my purchases, and a small one very close to me. I also wanted them to match the face mask, and that's how our fabric "totes" and "sling bags" were born, also washable to end the panic of "my bag is full of street viruses."

- The air cleared and we wanted to clear it more.

The polluting aspect of fashion had broken my heart even before. And although we are slow fashion and we don't pollute at all like the big industry, little by little we want to keep improving in this. Our project to renovate jackets and other garments with dress scraps grew, but we also dared to release super casual t-shirts with more sustainable fabrics made from recycled cotton.

Well, it has been a year of trying many new things, of reinventing ourselves. We obviously sold more through our website and on social media; I dared to make new videos that I never imagined, and a thousand other things. Yes, uncertainty attacked me many times, perhaps discouragement, but the changing nature of fashion always reminded me of my renewing essence.

Always, always, there is something to do. Embrace each new day and keep walking.