Slower | Kiya Tomlin
Slow has become my life, my world — and hopefully my future.
I’ve processed quite a bit over the span of the last few months (as I’m sure we all have) and my biggest takeaway is that I want to keep moving forward SLOW. Not only do I find more meaning in this lifestyle, it seems that I am a kinder, sturdier and more devoted person when I don’t try and do all. the. things.
I’ve come to enjoy the enforced stillness, observing what thoughts float past in my mind - what comes up and what doesn’t... Looking around my house, my google drive and through my closet, i’ve been able to ask “are these things truly meaningful?”
When we live slow, it pushes us to more clearly evaluate how we are living and more importantly, the impact we are having on others. Creating this space to be more intentional and thoughtful gives us the chance to choose our outcomes. I want to live slow. I want others around me to feel at ease so that they can live slow. I want to make thoughtful, conscious choices. I want to inspire others to make these choices too.
Conscious choices. For me, this is a critical term as I consider how to best pursue a slower lifestyle. “Conscious” can mean so many things to different people but, for me, what I’ve narrowed it down to is necessity and quality. When we live on a whim, necessity gets pushed aside. By living slower and processing what necessity means, we give ourselves the chance to really consider how and if things fit into our lives. As I think about making conscious choices around quality— from what decisions I make, to what products I buy — I think about impact. The reality is that the choices we make now have more impact than ever.
I plan to continue forward in my quest for the slow life by joining Slow Fashion Season, challenging myself to weigh impact in my purchasing decisions and thoughtfully take part in conversations involving intersectional environmentalism from June 21st to September 21st.
The guidelines will be:
Avoid buying anything new
Trade, upcycle or DIY clothing
Buy second-hand and vintage
Support sustainable, local, small fashion labels who may be struggling due to COVID-19
This month’s photoshoot was inspired by this and a mantra to live slower, easier days. Transitioning into summer and a place where days are unplanned, I appreciate the versatile designs of Kiya Tomlin. While highly functional, her pieces are uniquely flattering on many types of women and are constructed with high quality fabrics. Her showroom is thoughtfully curated — each piece meant to match easily with others. Made in-house with the machines and makers a wall away from where the clothes are sold, any excess from her pieces are upcycled into blankets and donated to a local shelter.
I could get used to this.
xx,
Elysia
CREDS:
Photography: Kelley Bedoloto
Bottoms: Kiya Tomlin Pleated Maxi Pant
Shoes: UMA | Raquel Davidowicz