About

Off Duty, or at least the idea of it, was born in the midst of my big girl corporate job last year. I was 23 years old. This job was a part of my masters degree graduation. It was one year and my first step into adulthood. I didn't know what to expect. I was very intimidated; I worked at a big company in a tall building right in La Défense, in the middle of many other tall towers, it felt like a movie. I felt like Andrea Sachs at Runway (minus the toxic boss). Everything went well and it was a nice experience that taught me a lot. My favorite part was truly the international dimension of it all. I worked with people from around the world, English was the primary language. At that point, I knew I wanted to work in global environments only.

Nonetheless, what I want to say is that I quickly and easily felt caught up by the overwhelming and stressful vibes of working a corporate job in such a big city as Paris, in such a fast-paced business district, using broken public transportation every day ("breathe in breathe out you're not saving lives" is what I kept repeating myself haha). At some point, I felt like I needed to slow down (to those reading, I challenge you to survive a corporate job during winter). I was just surviving through it instead of enjoying it. I wanted to create things, be proud and enjoy some manual activity. But at the same time, something in which my digital marketing background would come in handy.

So I decided to get myself a sewing machine. I had never sewn before whatsoever, it was my first time trying to sew anything. So I started on quick and easy projects. Pouches were the perfect way to start. And I fell in love with the process. I had so much fun picking the patterns and create objects that will last and that I'll keep perhaps a lifetime. To me, pouches are part of those things that, like clothing or bags, reflect your personality. I can tell somebody has good taste by the choice of their pouch. I think it's so personal and intimate; it's not just handy, something you carry here and there for practical purposes. It's a part of you, it's something you display on your bathroom, bedroom's dresser, or closet. I can't help but pay attention to my friends' pouches and toiletry bags every time we travel together.

So here comes Off Duty. I want girlies to be able to express themselves even through the most personal of items. And I'm confident enough to say we have vibes that match each of your aesthetics. I want Off Duty to feel like a community; it's for the girls who have great taste, who know what they want, and are unapologetically themselves.

I'm also happy to write a weekly newsletter discussing wellness, hot topics, and all girly things. Don't wait up, join the club below lovely!