The eye has to travel, the ear has to listen, and the mind has to open.

I currently read the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. A chapter called “go off the path.” describes how she randomly chose magazines to read the topics that weren’t interesting to her. Even though she dreaded reading unfamiliar topics, she still found some new ideas. I think it is because she is open to accepting new things outside her comfort zone.

And I start to think about when we are now in an information explosion generation and getting higher education than ever. People can get plenty of data and travel to places we never thought could be. But why do we become conservative and somewhat biased on something we insist on believing? I guessed it might be like an algorithm; when you just focus on what you like, you will lose opportunities to know other viewpoints. It also reminded a lesson I learned when I started my career in retail. 

I wasn’t interested in any luxurious brands or designs when I was a student because I thought they were just an identification of wealthy people to show off overpriced and useless exaggerated designs on their products. All I focused on in my career was knowing about apparel marketing strategies to find a position in this industry.

However, when I started working in the store on London’s most famous shopping street. I met many types of customers of various ages and races. Some put style as their priority; some chose items by the materials. Everyone is an individual and with their specific requests from the clothing.

When we received the new collections every season and put them in the store, I usually assumed that fringes on trousers or exaggerated patterns would be stocks. Who would wear them? But my Italian colleagues taught me different ways to wear those items I thought were not for daily outfits. For example, a see-through linen dress could be suitable for a vacation in Ibiza. And the one with pretty flares long skirt would be great for a wedding. They showed me different views to see the same clothing depending on various cultures and experiences. Also, these were useful strategies to promote garments to meet customers’ needs.

In addition, I remembered a pair of trousers that I thought were too long to wear might be stocks since they quickly get dirty by touching the floor. That one actually sold very well. A customer told me it went well with a pair of signature Elyse platform sneakers from Stella McCartney. Most of them could find ways to make the items reflect their personalities. On the other side, customers who care more about the style don’t really care about the lifetime of the products.

I felt embarrassed. I was the one who had studied a lot and worked in the fashion apparel industry. But I never appreciate the feeling of the fabric, the style of individuals, or the creativity behind the design. I judged them on my limited understanding and fixed life experience. 

So when I read a quotation, the eye has to travel from the influential fashion editor Diana Vreeland, and it hit me a lot. A creative person like her was successful in her career because of her advantageous soul and an open mind. I think it is time for us to let our eyes travel, our ears listen and our hearts open to somewhere unknown.