Here a few years ago, I was attacked by a classic midlife crisis.
I tell you this is not pleasant.
How does this happen?
We feel that we are a boring, worthless person.
Our preferred work becomes a routine
and our consciousness shrinks to the dimension of any social network
in which we spent the days.
This situation can last for a long time,
and it turns out that depression has huge disadvantages.
My finances sold out quickly
and I desperately needed to look for new ideas
in the world around me.
I devoted myself to sewing.
I had long dreamed of learning this art.
And the world showed me all its beautiful colors.
Everything was inspiring: different fabrics, techniques and different ways of cutting.
But almost all the people I met
during the time I was learning
inspired me and surprised me.
Have you ever thought
in the number of talented people around us?
Here are some examples.
What do you think?
How were these images made in the tissues?
Maybe with screen-printing? With stamping?
Or a 3D printer, I do not know.
It was not any of that, it was only with bleach
cotton fabric and talented hands.
The next slide is concrete
which, of course, serves to build houses and bridges.
And it is also used to make stylized, minimalist decorations.
Which, in my opinion, is unexpected for concrete.
The next slide is the work of a local photographer.
Photographs reflections in water.
They are all different.
One of our local “designers”
use these photos in your collection.
The girl makes these sequins
which are part of her collection of skirts, dresses, etc.
What is most surprising
is that all these wonderful and commercial things
are made here in Vladivostok.
But to buy them or at least to see them live,
we have to go a long way.
We have to find out who the “designer” is.
Then we have to call the “designer” to arrange a meeting,
go to that meeting on a specific date and location
and if we’re lucky with the size, we get that piece.
Of course, to be honest, few are the ones that go that route.
Noting the fact that reality was far away
of my amateur fantasies
that talent and the creation of fantastic things
are the most important and money and fame will come later.
This finding did not contribute to optimism.
It turns out they will not come to us.
Because, like all things in life,
Beautiful things also need good publicity.
And the workshops that the locals create,
unfortunately, in general, they are not an option.
In all, at that moment there was no optimism, but a goal.
It was obvious that we all needed a common space
where buyers and designers could meet.
I recognize that there has been a lot of talk about such a space,
but no one took a step toward it.
Because everything was going to get complicated.
Imagine, think how to organize this project,
for everyone to be able to find and that is good for everyone.
The first thing that comes to mind
is if the “site” assumes things on consignment or if you purchase them.
But there is a question.
The pieces of “designer”, given the complexity of the manufacture
and limited circulation, are quite costly.
Therefore, this additional cost makes them into luxury items.
So this option is not very suitable for us.
But there is another option:
When a “designer” gathers all his efforts
and decides to open its exhibition hall,
have to find a place, rent it, hire staff,
arrange payment without money, accounting,
and probably hire a maid.
As you can see, the “designer”
no time to work
creation and design.
And also runs out of money.
But mankind can not stagnate
and there are more and more ways to do business
which forces us to look
to the traditional way of doing things, differently.
One of the formats that, of course, you already know
are the large-scale “design” markets that exist even in our city
and usually already gather large numbers of people,
and everyone feels happy and there are many interesting things
which occur in one place!
But, there is always one but it happens once or twice a year.
There is another interesting phenomenon,
of which we speak more and more today.
It is called “shared economy” or, to be simpler, “collective use”.
That’s when we buy an entire building
and everyone uses it at the same time.
Based on this sharing,
I had the idea of combining local brands.
What does this mean?
It means that everyone who participates in the project,
through a fixed monthly payment
you have access to all the resources of the place.
In addition, they stipulate the price for all your articles.
And they receive the profits directly.
An ingenious idea, but of course there were doubts.
What if it was a ridiculous idea, stupid?
What if no one agrees?
What if we could not find the right place?
Or if no one came to buy things?
Overall, there were huge “ses”.
But, as they say, beginners are always lucky.
It turns out that all the people I could talk to,
while preparing the project,
were interested in this style of cooperation.
And I did not have to wait for the ideal place.
The Center of Vladivostok, first class, huge windows, high ceilings.
We did not need anything,
except, perhaps, some repair work.
But here, too, everything was composed.
I believe it was a miracle
we were able to open it at the end of a month.
It’s been a month and a half since we opened,
and I think I can afford to summarize things a bit.
Today, we have about 20 brands in our space,
and this number continues to grow
because we see that “designers” and consumers
remain interested in the site.
Of course i like it a lot
see our local “designers” grow and develop.
There are already those who are working with packages of sizes,
there are already those who are thinking about a certain type of stimulus quotas,
there are already those who are changing their range, according to the demand.
I’m sure this is just the beginning.
and the true victories and achievements will come later.
We have to organize conferences,
we will organize – and we already do – exhibitions and presentations.
We have to mix collections
and of course we have to conquer the Asian market.
(Applause)
Ambitious, but why not?
No matter how boring this may seem,
it turns out that we are stronger, together,
and we are able to achieve our most ambitious goals.
Now we have everything for that.
In conclusion, I liked to say a few words.
If you have a fantastic idea,
but you seem to live in a place where you can not do it
and are about to abandon it for a bright future and a better place,
Please stop and think.
After all, maybe
you can create the best place for yourselves.
Thanks.
(Applause)
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