This. Was. AMAZING!
Last Saturday, we met among many friends at NuevoSol, a clothing factory close to my town, Cotacachi. They create everything by hand. Half a year ago, the owner suddenly died, and Ellie and her brother Ducrecio were suddenly in charge - an abrupt change for them. Assuming that responsibility is a big thing in my eyes. Living up to it even more. The owner, Jan, had worked on a collection of prints and shapes, but was not able to finish it. One thing that Ellie and her brother wanted to accomplish this year was paying tribute to Jan through the launching of the new collection, honoring what Jan had created, but beautifully completed by the two of them.
With a very low budget, and high aspirations, they went on. One part was to ask friends of all shapes, ages and gender to join in a catwalk, wearing the collection. And almost everyone came. For me, another great example of the great community that we have created over the years here in Cotacachi. How the friendships have expended, the net that was spun over more than a decade now.
Just look at them. None of us is a professional. None of us was really knowing what to do. We got a crash course, played dress up and just had a blast imitating all those fancy fashion shows - but here, in a very small town in #ecuador, in a little factory that paints all their clothing by hand. Nothing fancy you might think, but in these days, friends coming together to help out some of theirs is, unfortunately, to be seen as "fancy", something of the highest grade, something unusual. Especially when it was around 11h of presence required.
There was no pay, but we are allowed to choose a piece per model. It was a first show, so somewhat chaotic. But Ellie and Ducrecio just gave it all, it was clear that this collection, involving Jan's last ideas before she passed in May, contains all their heart. All that effort, the long nights designing, combining, creating - it all came together in this collection, and it doesn't only show, it feels like it. In every fiber.
We came together not only to help, but to celebrate our friends and their work. Their dedication. Their dream. To support them, just like they would support us. This was a community effort, and that, too, shows. There was so much synergy among us, so much fun, joking. It was vitalizing. It was really hard for me to wipe that smile out of my face and be serious for the cameras. And yet, caught me with a smile in one moment - it was inevitable.
I had so much fun that day. I took the role of what we call "ass for everything" in Germany - I made coffee, built a playlist for the make-up room, then another for the catwalk, ran errands, comforted Ellie when the stress was overwhelming. Whatever needed to be done, I did. And I modeled, oh my, did I model! I always loved acting, pretending to be a real model was actually quite fun, and I really got into that role. You can see me in three outfits in this video (if you spot all of them, let me know, and I'll send you a little gift), doing my most serious performance in a long time. The last time I was seriously acting was around 20 years ago, in high school, performing in "Dance of the Vampires."
I'm incredibly grateful for the community I have, friends that support each other. It's a privilege.
I'm so happy for my girlfriend and her brother. They deserve success for all their hard work.
This is just the beginning. The first of hopefully many collections.
(If you're interested, here are the social links: Website ; Facebook ; Instagram )
EDIT: Ellie's brother asked to be named - wish granted! Ducrecio!
▶️ 3Speak