What kind of Boss am I?

I always get dissapointed with my staff.. they never exceed my expectations.

But I am quite a nice boss though before you say anything, I let *BOB go on a week holiday once (a big deal in China) although he thanked me by coming back saying he missed his family and was giving his notice...mental note: dont be nice theres no point ha.

Navajo is the New.

Flat comfy boots that actually look nice?
These Neo- Navajo boots   are amazing. Jessica whats her face is wearing them. a snap at £640.

lets see if I cant find a vintage pair on my next sourcing trip!!

Inspiration

just that.

Factory Life

Tough day today- gossip and back stabbing is rife in Fashion. Someone commented that they just didnt know how I got through China... but then sometimes not knowing what someone is saying in front of you is better than finding out what they are saying behind your back.
I moved offices after about 7 months. This was the first factory

 this shows the flooded roof over the generator room. we had big rats and cats that lived in the fabric rooms.
the chefs would chase the rats with meat cleavers.

 we also had a mice problem, and flying cockroach problem.

 factory workers also live in the factory in rooms of up to 10. bunkbeds. sharing bathrooms.
the company tried to save money and persuade me to move into the drafty cold noisy cheap rooms amongst all the staff. I wasnt having any of it. the 'bathroom' was out on the balcony and the shower went over the toilet. convenient.

 the apartments were down a long alleyway that the car had trouble traversing- no street lamps and pitch black and unsafe at night. I would not have been able to go anywhere alone safely. the above photo is of chicken plucking outside a market.

hot sticky relentless. no aircon in the toilets. squat toilets only. Windows didnt shut properly. insects and cockroaches wondered in at will. Bats flew over head flitting to pick up the abundance of bugs.
The whole time I just thought it would all be worth it because of the amazing experience of being a Design manager.
Now do I think it was worth it? not so sure. I definatley shouldnt have stayed so long thats for sure.

Breaks your little cold heart.

if you've ever had a dog (no a guard dog doesn't count) then you'll understand why this image breaks your heart.

The Factory hometown.

Next to miles of blank concrete factories spreading over towns and countryside are the unfortunate people unable to get a job - The always facinated me as I travelled back from work...

Female Travel Writing.

I just read an article (in Company Magazine)
'WELCOME TO MY LAST-GASP GAP YEAR'
now. here we have a double page spread- in which the writer describes her year out of work. alone. wow. except that none of her ghastly posed photos have her on her own- someone is always holding the camera. (naive enough to trust a stranger with your camera? or taken by a buddy?) hmm.
She writes that she finally found the courage to book her own ticket. alone. she should have been shouting 'I am a strong independent women hear me ROAR' *cringe. But instead she cries her eyes out. Lady Please.

Your pre-paid holiday through a travel agent with other tour groups of similar aged tourists who take your photos and make you feel safe is not the most profound experience you think it is. And doing it own your own? You're not on your own. even worse your flippant comment of 'I'm not even sure where I am going to wake up tomorrow' sends out an awful message to young readers.

then to tip it for me. the part where she says 'there's nothing like navigating a shitstorm in another language, and all on your own to show yourself what your capable of'
hey Lady- try doing it for your job every day in a Chinese Factory as part of your career.
I'll tell you stories that will curl your side swept fringe.

and there it is. I guess I will tell you horrible stories. scary stories. bad and good stories.
I worked in a small factory town in China. I wont say where. I'm British- speak only English. (although now I am capable office-able Mandarin (( 'give me that spec' ' I want it in Blue' ' I want a different zip'))
I've seen nasty factories. Nice factories. Nice toilets. More nasty toilets.
Through this nice anonymous blog you can read a much more colourful view of traveling and working alone. in a totally foreign environment for the female 20 something.

When I go on research trips...

I like to collect stickers.
you should try. PAGE ONE in HongKong is awesome for stickers. The HK people are all about the stationery.

so when I am hanging around airports. which I frequently do- this is a little task of mine. find more stickers.

 /http://www.pageonegroup.com/

I have just found the ultimate book though- PUPPY STICKERS

http://www.dk.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9781405314503,00.html 

but if you're still looking at PageOne check out this book...

Just an FYI

all tube posters should have the extra National rail routes and DLR on them. It annoys that they don't.

 I deffo use them more than the actual Underground.

AFM bought me a book on skulls

AFM got the hint and bought me a book. I drew a picture from it then found the below images to go with. basically from the structure and tone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/koshi/5449050224/

dance of the dead.

just realised that none of this needs link in any coherent manner. as I am not actually submitting it to any company / presentation / boss / designer. I will just post want the hell I want. have some more.