“No winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn.” ~ Hal Borland
I love this quote especially at this time of year when it seems like winter will never end.
I, for one, am looking forward to spring and shedding the heavy winter outerwear and donning some lighter, brighter clothing.
Planning ahead
Being a designer, it’s important to always be planning ahead for the next season. I’ll be honest and say that’s a struggle for me. Over the last couple of years, I’ve been doing a lot of inner work and self exploration, trying to be more mindful and live in the here and now.
For most of my life, I’ve been forward leaning. Always looking ahead, focused on the goal, and not enjoying the journey. I wanted to change that because the years keep whizzing by. I often feel like that little hamster on the wheel. Running as fast as I can and missing out on what’s going on around me.
Doing it differently
So, with my clothing, I wanted to step back from jumping ahead to the next season. I don’t like shopping for winter coats in August. Do you know what I mean? Why do we have to look at Christmas decorations before Halloween? Or Easter chocolates before Valentine’s Day?
One of the reasons, among many, for choosing bamboo is its breathable and thermal regulating qualities which makes it an excellent year round choice. But, in doing that, I lost some of my planning ahead momentum which is vital in the garment industry. Even if my clothes are not on a strict seasonal schedule, the manufacturers, retailers, and customers are.
We are also living and working in a pandemic which has drastically affected…well…everything. Timelines for production are stretched way out as manufacturing facilities are working at half capacity and incorporating Covid safety precautions. So, we’ll see how this season and year unfold.
Getting ready for spring
A few weeks ago, in January, I needed to rouse myself out of the deep winter slumber and get moving on spring/summer production. I dragged myself over to my storage unit and picked up a roll of bamboo fabric. I needed to get it to my manufacturer in Toronto by mid-February to have dresses produced for the beginning of April.
The roll is 62″ in height and 12″ in diameter and weighs about 40 lb. Not huge by any means but big enough for little old 5′ nothing me. Usually my daughter helps me but she was quarantined in her room for 2 weeks having been in contact with a person at work who had tested positive for Covid. Btw, my daughter was negative. If you want to read more about that story, check out my blog post on Living and working through a pandemic.
Rolling with the times
I brought the roll to my condo and arranged for a courier. Under normal times, I would’ve hopped in my car and driven it to the manufacturer myself. I scheduled the pickup on Friday, but they weren’t coming til Monday. A testament to how busy the delivery companies are. Pickup was anytime before 7:00 pm
My phone rang early afternoon. The courier was at the front door of my building. I said, “I’ll be right down”. Lol, I should have said give me 10. With the bigger than me roll of fabric loaded onto my little red cart, I struggled to get it out the door. Then I struggled to get it on the elevator and then off again, with it even rolling off once.
When I finally made it down to the front door, the delivery guy laughed and said, “I thought you got lost”. Then he casually swung it up on his shoulder and sauntered off. That is why he is a delivery person and I’m not!
Waiting for spring
So this is my long-winded way of saying everything is at the manufacturer waiting in line to go into production. Now, I sit here in Ottawa and wait and hope everything stays on track for early April.
I look forward to receiving a new shipment of my Carolyn reversible dress. It has a V-neck on one side and a round neck on the other and you can wear it both ways. It has invisible side-seam pockets (a fan favourite) and a single pleat in front and back. It’s a soft and easy dress to throw on when the warmer weather is here.
I do have a few in stock right now if you would like to take a peek.
I’m super excited to receive the dresses because I have a couple of new retailers who will be offering it in their stores this Spring. Stay tuned…
So you see, no winter lasts forever, no spring skips its turn.
Until next time,
~ Colleen
I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support Rethink Breast Cancer‘s metastatic breast cancer education, support, and advocacy work.
