Apr 2020
This is the most difficult newsletter I’ve had to send out this far. And frankly, we doubted whether we should be sending anything at all. In times like these, I highly doubt that people are waiting for what Olaf Hussein has to say. It seems a bit redundant for a fashion brand to say anything right now.
Yet, here we are. I have this platform, and I want to use it for the good. I’ll leave the in-depth analysis to the experts. I want to focus on what I see around me. The various ways it affects us on a personal level. Among my family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and all the other people that are usually part of my daily routine. I think everyone is affected in one way or another. I’ve read about people getting sick, losing relatives, losing their jobs, and potentially losing their house. All that trickles down to others.
But at the same time, I see people getting creative. I see new ideas coming to fruition. I see people helping each other, picking up hobbies, and making music that some might consider beautiful.
It’s interesting to see what a human mind can do in times of need. But I hope you do see that a lot of these new initiatives come from a place of privilege. Look at the people who are alone, the people who work at our hospitals, and the kids who jeopardize their own health to keep our supermarkets filled and safe. How do we find a substantial way to support them?
Not everyone can be a hero. But you can help the heroes by doing your part. Supporting local businesses, freelancers, and other small entrepreneurs who might be unsure about how they’ll come out of this. Use the privilege of living in this era by FaceTiming, Zooming, or Skyping with lonely people. Order something small and have it delivered to a close friend. It can really be that simple, and sometimes a little effort is all it requires.
What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. So I hope that everyone who’s going through this and comes out healthy will learn something from it. Am I living for myself? Or am I able to share my wealth (in whatever form) with others? Let’s use this time to reflect and reset. Support those who need it and stay safe. We’re in this together.
Olaf.
03 Jan 2023
03 Jan 2023
“I studied industrial and fashion design in Berlin and Paris. Since then I’ve worked for over a decade as designer, design manager and creative director for a variety of European fashion brands. And since a couple of years as creative director for a brand in Berlin."
“After working nonstop in the fashion industry, I was longing to take my creativity out from behind a corporate computer and create something with my own hands which led me to experiment with clay. It initially just started off as some sort of meditational practice and developed over time into my passion and second business."
“As I had only worked for other people's companies, I eventually felt the urge to create a brand that would represent my own aesthetics and values that would help enable me to share what inspired me personally. Therefore, I decided to merge this idea with my passion for crafts and interior and started my own brand 2222STUDIO under which I design, make and sell interior objects. 2222STUDIO was inspired by my lucky number and time 22:22. Since I was a teenager, I have been superstitious about it and believed that catching this time over and over was no coincidence. I always felt compelled to make wishes for a whole minute until this magic alignment of numbers passed. "
“Just do it! I believe that it’s important to start somewhere with a vision and then figure things out along the way. Too much overthinking and doubting upfront will just block you. "
“That it's so versatile, creative, and that I am independent."
“Intuitive, meditative and passionate."
"Okwukwe Na Nchekwube by Celestine Ukwu & his Philosophers"
“Following and building a career for myself that reflects what I am passionate about."
“Taking on an order that exceeded my capacity and really challenged my entire setup."
“Mexico, Japan, Venice."
“Minimal and eclectic."
"All my Jackets and coats."
"I really like the work of Alicja Kwade. But my brain just picks up on everything that I see around me. It could be super and abstract, light, textures, shapes."