I've always found solace in the process of painting. It's a solitary act, much like the moments I spend reflecting on how to guide HACOY forward. Each stroke is deliberate; there are no shortcuts when you're laying down paint on canvas. Similarly, running an ethical fashion brand isn't about quick fixes or overnight successes. It requires patience and a steady hand, just as it does in painting.
Recently, I finished a piece that took weeks to complete. The first layers were the hardest; they set the tone for everything else. This reminded me of launching HACOY. Those initial steps, choosing materials made in Italy, deciding on a name, setting up the first website, were crucial but daunting. Now, seeing the final product, be it a painting or a collection from HACOY, brings a sense of accomplishment that's hard to describe.
There is one quiet detail I'll share: each time I paint, I use an old palette my grandfather left me. It has seen years of pigments and stains, much like how HACOY has weathered its own storms since its inception. Both the canvas and the brand evolve over time, layer by layer, season after season.
I often think about how each decision in painting, choosing a color, deciding on texture, parallels decisions I make for HACOY. The art of running a brand isn't so different from the craft of creating art; both require an understanding that small details matter and that every action contributes to the whole.