It's continued to inspire me to make pieces that support people in feeling good within their homes and themselves. I've been inspired to work with crystals that adapt to our time.
POPSUGAR: What has it been like adapting to the "new norm" in the fashion space? And how has this season pushed innovation?
Jia-Jia Zhu: It's been a very creatively nourishing time adapting to the new norm in the fashion space. It's forced me to slow down. It's continued to inspire me to make pieces that support people in feeling good within their homes and themselves. I've been inspired to work with crystals that adapt to our time. For instance, I'm introducing smoky quartz as the master of all grounding stones, and I have been drawn to it immensely this year. Smoky quartz works hard to identify and neutralize electromagnetic energies that surround us in our modern technological world — which is very supportive during this time as we are spending more time on our devices, on Zoom — encapsulated by technology as we have entered a work-from-home culture. Smoky quartz is a great crystal to help neutralize our technological surroundings, bringing us back to the natural elements in our space. It has the power to lift negative feelings associated with fear, lack, and anxiety that may deter us from our joy and genuine wanting — it's determined to bring us back to calmness, a place where our true essence thrives.
PS: What's been the most challenging and the most exciting thing about designing right now?
JZ: The most challenging part has been trying to make production happen. There are many delays and setbacks; however, that has flipped into a positive outlook in the slowdown process and helped me learn to be patient, dealing with the unknown and adjusting to what works — we think about how can we keep certain processes, do things in a new way, or let certain processes go.
PS: How have you been staying inspired?
JZ: Staying connected to family and friends, going on hikes and nature walks, meditation.
PS: Do trends factor into your design process?
JZ: Not so much. I am always inspired by our earth and what is going on around me. I like to see the design process as a very holistic approach. I always start by making a connection to the appropriate crystal that is aligned to what I am experiencing in life in the moment.
PS: With all the changes in the industry right now, what are you most excited about looking at the future of fashion?
JZ: I am looking forward to how brands become more sustainable, more local, and involved within their communities, [h]ow brands support each other; how we make each piece and our design process intentional. There are a lot of changes that need to be made and are being made, and I'm very excited to be a part of the Net-a-Porter community because they are leaders of change in the industry.
PS: What does it mean to have style right now?
JZ: To support each other.
