As 2017 comes to a close, I cannot help but look back and feel excited about where Lost Queen is as a brand, and what it has become! I wanted to share a little of what this year was like, and some of the amazing changes and accomplishments encountered while creating Lost Queen.
Nothing was more exciting and scary than doing my 1st pop-up in August 17'. It was an extremely liberating experience as I was unsure of what the response would be to my first piece the 'Eye of Horus' Hat. A lot of my stress, while building the brand and before the pop-up, was based around what people would think of Lost Queen. I let that go the moment I saw the room set up, and I looked around realizing, "I manifested this!" When all my friends and family were there supporting me, I realized that I created a small piece of my own art and the support was always there. It was my dreams and goals that needed to be acted upon and forced out of me no matter what! The pop-up was truly a memory that I will hold on to forever! Not only did I sell everything, I was doing something that felt so natural I couldn't care about that! I wanted to engage and talk with everyone, and I only pray to have another successful pop-up like this one in the future.
The timing of building my brand a bit behind schedule of the industry seasons was a challenge. I was determined to get my vision out there regardless. The 'Focused' tee was my second piece for Lost Queen, where I worked with my brother Taha on a graphic to embody this uprising journey toward our truest selves. The tee is a piece I love very much, though I do feel aspects of the printing process we're rushed. For me, I would like to see this graphic evolve with Lost Queen, and seeing how some of the hiccups and delays can mean so much, I know now the standards I have for myself and how to meet them. In the midst of the 'Focused' tee drop I released my first Pin, and it is still my favourite accomplishment! I love classic mini accessories and it really allows anyone to have a piece of the brand, and wear it how they want. I have learned this year more than ever: "JUST MAKE IT", go out there and create it cause we truly are thriving and so beautiful, we cannot be stagnant and waste that beauty! I have to say FOCUSED is definitely going to be the overall mindset in 2018 as I continue to create.
As I am writing I cannot help but smile! Here we are at the 'Clean Slate' capsule. Thank you for those hanging on to the end of this novella...lol. Clean Slate is my latest drop and pulls inspiration from my snowboarder days in Whistler, BC, while also incorporating some of the street style I love from my hometown Toronto. The colour ways speak to the duality in life of light and dark, but also to the way I am as woman and creator. I've always been indecisive, I've been struggling with doubt and excitement, I like something and then I don't. All of these contrasting emotions created something so clear with this capsule. I listened to what I wanted, how I wanted my brand to look, instead of just giving people what they wanted. This was super hard, but the most rewarding. I only want to empower and lift others to see their own worth, and this drop really is about taking all the knowledge and the situations faced and putting them together to mold something beautiful for yourself. The good and the bad made up this capsule, made this brand and essentially made me.
Here's to 2017, and to this Queen rising up out of the light and the darkness. Much love and blessings to everyone in 2018.
