A Year Ago Today
I missed my usual Monday post but I assure you it was with good reason. A year ago today, I published my first and very tentative post on this blog. I had no idea how it would be received or if anyone would comment but to my surprise and utter delight, people did. Some of those people have since become regulars and even friends despite living in various parts of the world. Blogging has given me so much more than I could ever have hoped for and enriched my life immensely and I owe it all to everyone who ever took the time to read and comment on my incessant ramblings.
106 The Blog was born of a need to promote 106 The Brand and so I feel that now is as good a time as any to tell you a little more about it.
Choosing a name proved to be a lot harder than I anticipated. I, of course, short-listed names that meant something to me but when I discovered they were all taken, I settled on a number instead. 106 just so happens to have been my parents' address at the time of my birth and the first home we shared. I dreamed my earliest dreams there and I have come to view it as being synonymous with a new beginning - an exciting phase in my life.
/Images: Flannery O'Kafka for 106/
Shortly after this blog began, many of you may remember that I signed up for a social experiment called Six Items Or Less. It lasted 30 days and was meant to help me analyse my shopping habits and cure me of my penchant for the mindless acquisition of more and more clothes. As it turned out, it informed not only my habits as a consumer but also the childrenswear I wanted to create.
I decided that each collection should consist of six well-crafted and versatile pieces. Designed to form a coherent capsule wardrobe, I hope that each garment will be just as covetable on its own. I also injected a little something extra for my own amusement. Each collection will be characterized by a mood or colour and the number 6 in 106 will, therefore, change periodically to reflect that.
I am still working hard to get my début collection finished so please forgive me if I am not as visible and/or verbose as I usually am elsewhere. My lookbook (see above) has been shot and I look forward to sharing it with you soon but in the meantime, have a glass of something suitably fluorescent - yet delicious - on me. I cannot wait to see what the next year will bring!
106, Inspiration, News
Reader Comments (14)
HOW excitement! ;) happy blog anniversary... those photos are beautiful & curious & altogether covetous... & i think the notion of a capsule wardrobe {especially for kids who grow out of their clothes so quickly} is genius & particularly pertinent in this day & age where money doesn't flow quite as freely as it once did! beautiful chi! this looks like quality work!!!
Thank you, Sue - so kind of you to say so! :) x
Will you be joining us on the 5th?
Happy anniversary to your wonderful blog!
I love these sneak peeks from your lookbook. Can't wait for your big reveal!
Thanks, Deepa darling!
Can't wait for yours!!! :D xoxo
Congratulations, Chi! What a wonderful milestone for you! I'm so glad yo have you as part of this community and thrilled to see you follow your path as a designer! Onward! xoxo
Happy blogging anniversary! What a fun milestone, and you should be extremely proud of yourself! I'm so happy and grateful to have gotten to share this journey with you, and can't wait until I can beg you to make clothes for my future little ones :) Your lookbook looks absolutely DIVINE and I can't wait to see more. Kids in tweed suit jackets....be still my heart! So sweet to hear the story behind your brand/blog name. And I love the idea of the color changing 6! Very smart idea indeed, but then, I'm not surprised. Best of luck finishing your collection and come back when you can! xoxo
errrm... what's happening on the fifth? ;)
Happy blogaversay lovely! Your promo shots look fantastic-what an exciting time for you after all your hard work. See you on the 5th! x
Happy blog anniversary, Chi! Isn't it amazing to reflect on where you were a year ago compared to where you are at present? I always find reflecting on time that way so fascinating. I always try to think: What have I learned? How have I grown? How can I learn and grow more? You've had quite the journey over the last year. I cannot wait to see more of your lookbook as you see fit to reveal it. The photos are striking and playful, and your idea to create a capsule collection makes the line even more special, much like your brand's name and the thought process behind the name. Perfect!
@Lauren: Thank you, sweet Lauren! Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?
If I'm not mistaken, the anniversary of our first "meeting" can't be far off. ;)
@Erin: "What a fun milestone, and you should be extremely proud of yourself! I'm so happy and grateful to have gotten to share this journey with you, and can't wait until I can beg you to make clothes for my future little ones :)"
Thanks, duckie!
Can you believe it?! I'm actually doing it. :D
Oh, and I would be so honoured to dress your little ones. xoxo
@Sue: Ahem! I meant the 6th - of course I did. :/
@Caroline: Thanks, honey and for Pete's sake don't turn up on the 5th - it'll be the worst launch party EVER! *see previous response*
@Theresa: Thanks, T! It's so very cool to have had a dream so close to my heart go on to paper and then come to life in fabric and finally on a person AND to have learned (and been challenged by) so much along the way. To the journey! :D x
Happy belated 1st Birthday. I guess many are coming up (mine is on the 1st Jan) so need to start looking out for them.
What a journey it's been and how great to be on this journey with you!
How far you've come, both in blogging terms and in your forthcoming business. Wow, what a year can bring!!!
I know how hard you're finding your trials and tribulations right now, but aren't they equally exciting and full of life's lessons? How wonderful to be able to step out of our comfort zone and have the ability to grow, the ability to achieve and to feel proud!
I do love the band's name!
Great stuff Chi x
Thank you, Tina - it goes without saying that it's been great to have you along for the journey, too!
"I know how hard you're finding your trials and tribulations right now, but aren't they equally exciting and full of life's lessons? How wonderful to be able to step out of our comfort zone and have the ability to grow, the ability to achieve and to feel proud!"
It's wonderful and I consider it a privilege. Hard-won successes (no matter how small) are always the sweetest, don't you find? :D x
Chi dear as someone who has been with you from the start can I just say how very proud of you I am. I loved your six items series and had no idea that inspired your collection. You are a very, very talented, kind and funny lady and my face lights up when I see you. I can't wait to see your collection when you're ready xxx
I don't know what to say, Annie - I'm so touched by your sweet comment. Thank you. :) xo