In This Issue:  A story and two lessons learned.

As the setting sun turned the Red Sand Dunes into a martian landscape, the solution to a years long problem came. She had no idea that two years later and in her late 30's, that idea would blossom into her best work as an artist and a designer. 

Saida running atop a dune in Mui Ne in 2016. 

In the sleepy fishing town of Mui Ne, Vietnam, our founder and lead designer, Saida, felt her New York world melt away. Her mind uncluttered from the noise, demands of walking Duke, her 11 year old rescue dog, and the constant hustle of selling wholesale luxury fashion to clients worldwide. She was truly resting for the first time in her adult life. 

Photo by Khanh Phan Photography.
Follow her! @khanhphanphotography

But it was a day trip to the other worldly landscape of the Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne where the rest and her revitalized creativity came together in a magical, innovative concept:  Modular Accessories. 

High quality, accessories, jewelry and apparel with parts and pieces that could be removed and interchanged to achieve different looks, color schemes, etc. Why hadn't it been done? Until then, nearly all fashion accessories or jewelry were static, unchanging. But her very dynamic life in New York demanded more.  A single day could have meetings and fashion shows in Manhattan, a dinner in Williamsburg, and an underground dance party in Bushwick. Rarely did she have time to return home and change outfits. The same was true for so many of her friends. Could this idea be the solution?

Saida spent the next year prototyping different mediums. Metals, 3D printing, and more. Nothing seemed to work. It was the childhood memories of old quality garments and her exposure to fashion history through her design career at brands like Ralph Lauren that shifted her search toward the past. Indigenous techniques from around the world from before mass consumption and waste became so prevalent. In our next installment of our origin story, we'll share how the beading technique you see today became our signature look. 

Today's Lessons: 

It's Not Too Late. Saida found her inspiration in her late 30's. She also became a mother for the first time. Keep your dreams and inspiration alive. 

Take a Break. Breaks from our regular routine and "the rat race" are important. Not only for our physical and emotional health, but also our creative abilities. Your next breakthrough idea or the solution to a lingering problem just might come when you're doing nothing. Here's a Harvard Business Review article that talks about the importance of breaks with practical suggestions on how to actually take one given our busy lives. 

With love and gratitude,
Saida, Michael and the Object & Dawn Team