Inspiration from New York

I just got back from a great vacation in the States, and the highlight of it was going back to New York for the first time since I left in 2006. It felt good to be there, and I had this strange (and comforting) feeling of familiarity but without the nostalgia. Guess that's a good sign that I'm meant to be here in Chennai, working away at Brass Tacks!

I often get into this "work mode" when I walk into an interesting store. I become incapable of making conversation, and I just soak in the designs, feel the fabric, examine the garments, and walk around the store saying dorky things like "oooh, look at the window display"! I enjoy it though, and I spent hours and hours doing exactly that when I was in New York. The idea behind Brass Tacks was conceived when I used to live in New York, and walking around exploring stores reminded me of all the reasons I started Brass Tacks and all the things I love about my job.

I wish I was a better photographer but I'm going to share these photos anyway because they really inspired me and got me feeling more enthusiastic about the Monsoon collection that I'm working on right now.


The window display at Anthropologie. Wine corks were used for the entire tree bark and vines. It's always inspiring to see effort going into small details. Often that can make all the difference.



I'm kicking myself for not getting a better photo of this model who sashayed up and down the All Saints store the entire time enticing women to try on this incredibly creative parachute dress.