When I started writing these essays on Substack I made a promise to myself that I would use this platform to share some authentic thoughts and find my way of connecting to like-minded people and creatives whose paths I am inspired by. I would use it to write from my point of view and ask the questions I’d want to read the answers to. I also promised myself that I would not use this platform to vent but remain somewhat positive (or dare I say - neutral, especially to work-related matters) but after having been in Italy, for the Milan Design Week, I am seriously questioning all of the promises I made - who am I kidding? Me? Remaining neutral? What was I thinking.
Love this honest sun-up of your experience. We need more of this because everything seems so glossy and well curated from the outside. I’ve never been to Salone, but every year, my Instagram turns into a Milan ad for a whole week. While I’m tempted to go every year, I’m put off by the exclusiveness and the massive egos I would have to deal with. Maybe there’s a way around, but it’s really easy to feel like you’re a “nobody” in this scene. I could go on but I won’t bore you, hehe! Authentic voices like yours are very needed, so thank you! <3
Boy, thank you so much for this lovely message, Monique. I am not sure how other design weeks feel on the outside, perhaps 3 Days of Design feels more approachable for its nature and condensed duration but Milan is a tough one. Hopefully there’s other ways to go about it, my thinking cap is still on but the feeling of exclusiveness and all the egos to manage are unfortunately hard to look past during that week. I feel you with that. Thank you again for the encouraging words. Essays like these are very uncomfortable to put out into the world but somehow I feel they are needed. 💙
Love this honest sun-up of your experience. We need more of this because everything seems so glossy and well curated from the outside. I’ve never been to Salone, but every year, my Instagram turns into a Milan ad for a whole week. While I’m tempted to go every year, I’m put off by the exclusiveness and the massive egos I would have to deal with. Maybe there’s a way around, but it’s really easy to feel like you’re a “nobody” in this scene. I could go on but I won’t bore you, hehe! Authentic voices like yours are very needed, so thank you! <3
Boy, thank you so much for this lovely message, Monique. I am not sure how other design weeks feel on the outside, perhaps 3 Days of Design feels more approachable for its nature and condensed duration but Milan is a tough one. Hopefully there’s other ways to go about it, my thinking cap is still on but the feeling of exclusiveness and all the egos to manage are unfortunately hard to look past during that week. I feel you with that. Thank you again for the encouraging words. Essays like these are very uncomfortable to put out into the world but somehow I feel they are needed. 💙