Third time is a charm

“A penny for your thoughts” I said to my friends, when the inner turmoil grew.
The invitation to return to New York Fashion Week for the third year in a row was almost too much. What an honour! What a road, what an incredible opportunity – what an expense!
I often wonder if anyone else has the inner battles between their adventurous and sensible self’s. The invitation brought an instant smile from ear to ear.  I was designing catwalk creations, planning the collection, the feathers, the styles, the models outfits, the trip … and then Miss sensible entered the room, crossed her arms and reminded me of the mortgage.
Broome to the Big Apple is no small feat but what important things in life aren’t big? It’s the challenge that brings the reward and we all know I live the cliché’ that life is too short, but there’s still that one little Mr Men book that re-appears from the shelf …

In an attempt to put both egos to good use , I packed my car with a whiteboard, calculator, pens, paper and planner and headed on a solo adventure south of Broome; to one of my special places, with magical memories and ocean calm.

A few days prior I emailed some friends who would tell me if I was mad to consider the NYFW contract again or alternatively, mad not to. If anyone is going to be honest, it’s our good friends. And if there’s one place to find clarity it’s on a remote beach. As the sun set over the ocean on full tide I crunched numbers, scribbled pros and cons and sifted through the suggestions, ideas and cautions that had been on my mind and had come from my friends.
The decision is the right one – two just wasn’t enough. I’ve signed the contract and I’m going back to New York. I’ve just got to go for the luck of the third adventure.

And again, if you are interested, I’d love you to be involved. As well as crunching numbers that special place had me designing creations and for this year’s runway show I want to honour Australia’s stunning flora and fauna, be it from the desert, the mountains or the sea. If you come across any flowers and plants that make you stop in awe, please take a pic for me. I want to create a collection inspired by our beautiful flowers and plants and showcase our striking frontier land.

This pictorial bloom of inspiration will collate in an album on the Hats by Felicity Facebook page and there’ll be prizes for the pic of pics, to add to the fun.
2016 is going to be another big year for us all. Everyone has challenges and decisions to make. Some of us will achieve the goals and some will be led to another path. Whatever the journey is for you, I wish you great health, happiness and safety, and inspiration for the road.
And to my buddies, thank you.
This is our now, and third time’s a charm.
xf