Ducking below the parapet

There is the most amazing bunch of people working at Skinny laMinx, making calculations, keeping records, cutting, stitching, ordering, stockchecking, quality checking, packing, customer relations, and then there’s a shop to run too. Everyone is working at full capacity every minute of every working day to make sure that the things we produce are of top quality, and that we deliver everything we promise on time. I’m hugely grateful to Team Skinny.

But I’m a true introvert, and unless I can spend time all alone, my batteries get worn out, which is why I end up feeling overwhelmed and scattered by all the bustling busyness at the shop and the studio. This staccato mindset doesn’t help me do my real work of being the generative creative engine for Skinny laMinx. So when I heard that Paul had a free space in his studio for three months, I leaped at it.

Now, whenever I have a chance, I’ve been heading down Albert Road to the far end of Salt River, and closing the door behind me in this empty white space with soaring wooden beams, luxuriating in the utter solitude and lack of interruptions.

At first, I dozed, then sang a bit, and then fell fast asleep in the middle of the room on a piece of pinning board laid down on the concrete floor. I was a bit worried that I might end up napping away this fab opportunity, but I seem to have got over it, and now I’m starting to feel that flow, when ideas keep coming, and pieces slot into place, and dreams develop and build on one another.

It’s immensely exciting, invigorating and restorative to have space to work like this, and it can only happen because of the amazing gals who keep all the wheels spinning back at the studio, which is why I am so, so grateful to Pearl, Maleeka,  Marcia,  Sarah, Belinda, Astrid, Nadieya, Melissa, Moena and Minnie of Team Skinny. Big hugs to all of you!

xx Heather