I couldn’t sleep. It was one of those nights when you stare into the dark abyss—above and within:
Envisaging, doubting,
Wondering, pondering,
Brooding, obsessing,
Questioning, guessing,
Craving, wishing,
Yearning, fishing
For a moon in the dark...
And then—you know that feeling when an idea just… clicks? Like two seemingly unrelated thoughts run into each other in the grand, chaotic ballroom of your mind and start to dance?
Well, as I sat in my room, suitcase half-packed and dreaming of Parisian cobblestones and café au laits, that’s precisely how the Brooding in Paris collection began to whisper its way into existence.
At first, I had a different name for it—The French Connection—a sly wink to the film classic, the collection’s ties to France, and its aim to feel cinematic: to provoke reflection and emotion. But I quickly realized that, ironically, this choice could land me in legal hot water—a trademark issue.
An even more compelling reason? The collection wasn’t inspired by high-speed car chases, trench coats, or all that jazz that thrills us on screen. No—it’s about something far more vital to our existence: the hidden stories that connect us, the whispers of history, and the quiet power of finding meaning in unexpected places.
Think less Gene Hackman, more existential wanderer with an espresso.
The Guardians of Stone and Story
My mind kept drifting to the legendary gargoyles of Notre-Dame. Towering above the city, jaws agape, spitting rainwater as if they’ve had it with everyone’s nonsense. We admire their intricate, eerie beauty and see them as grotesque, magnificent figures perched high on ancient cathedrals.
They are, undeniably, aesthetic marvels—figures of countless myths and guardians watching over centuries of human drama. But here’s the kicker, the true genius of those stone beasts: they’re also incredibly practical. At their very core, they are water spouts. They exist to channel rainwater away, protecting the foundations of the building from erosion.
They are both profound myth and humble plumber.
Apparel as Messenger
And it struck me: isn’t that just like apparel?
On the surface, our clothes are aesthetic choices. They shield us from the sun, protect us from the cold, and yes, they make us look (hopefully) fabulous. But peel back that first layer, and you realize they carry far more profound—almost cinematic—functions.
They are symbols. They are statements. They are quiet acts of rebellion, philosophical winks, mood states, and wearable histories. Like those gargoyles, they don’t just exist; they perform a function far beyond the obvious, silently broadcasting a message to the world.
Brooding in Paris: More Than Just Style
The Brooding in Paris collection, for me, embodies this duality. It’s about the tangible beauty of Paris—the art, the history, the sheer undeniable style—but it’s also about those deeper, often unsaid, connections.
The understanding that passes between strangers. The resilience built into ancient stone. The quiet power of wearing something that speaks volumes without a word—a piece of a larger story, and a subtle nod to your own tribe.
I hadn’t even arrived in France yet, but I could already feel the pull.
I wasn’t just packing clothes.
I was packing ideas, curiosities, and a profound appreciation for the layers of meaning embedded in everything around us—from worn cobblestones to the very fabric we choose to wear.
The journey began, and with it, new stories ready to be woven.
Next stop: Paris.
I couldn’t wait to see what the gargoyles had to say.
🖤
— Vibe & Verse
From page to thread — a story you can wear
The Night Before Paris $35.99