Slow Ceremony

While traveling in Japan, I was struck by how deeply the values of order and ritual are embedded in the culture. It led me to reflect on how the act of following a set sequence—especially when repeated—can be inherently therapeutic. Personally, I find comfort in repetitive, hands-on processes such as crocheting, hand embellishing, or sewing. There is something about the rhythmic motion, or perhaps the accumulation of repeated actions, that helps ease my anxiety. It may be the slowness of these acts that provides a sense of grounding.

The Japanese tea ceremony exemplifies this philosophy—a holistic ritual where every movement is intentional, and the process of serving and savoring tea becomes a meditative experience. Inspired by this, I began to wonder: what if dressing could become a similar form of ritual? A deliberate, mindful act where the process of putting on clothing slows the mind and centers the self.

In this collection, I explore repetition and slowness through design. The garments feature multiple layers and closures that require time and attention—buttons and straps replace zippers to encourage an unhurried engagement with the clothing. There are no shortcuts. Dressing becomes an intentional act, a form of slow art.

The color palette is also carefully considered. Muted and low in saturation, the colors are chosen to avoid visual distraction and to promote a sense of calm. Shades of beige, sand, sage, and golden brown evoke a quiet, grounded atmosphere that supports the meditative quality of the dressing ritual.

I envisioned this dressing experience as a morning meditation—one of the first actions of the day that sets the tone for what follows. By focusing on ourselves, caring for ourselves through the act of dressing, we cultivate mindfulness and begin the day with clarity and calm.