29. Meeting the king
My initial meeting at the factory was with the team of creators. I took all my prototypes and placed them in the centre of a table. Stefano, the head of production, took the model and examined it with passion and curiosity. For the first time, I saw what I believed deep inside — the moment of recognition between creator and creation. It felt like love at first sight.
While I was so joyful — at last, I had found my ideal factory! — they brought me back to reality. This was not an ordinary factory. It was an atelier of a legendary fashion house. They were not open to external projects. For the first time, I was in a situation where I decided nothing.
They arranged a meeting with Claudio, the president of the factory. Claudio carried dignity and wisdom. His greatness was in his humility. I had never met such leaders. He was the true king of this kingdom.
Our meeting with Claudio.
Claudio asked a direct question: how did I even imagine they would produce my product? I had only one bag, and their production was suitable for extensive collections, so for millions of bags. Our working together didn't seem possible from any angle.
My heart sank. I didn’t know what to say ...
How could I explain what this product meant to me? How could I convey that it was my creation with the Divine and that “Yes” would mean my highest, deepest dream comes true?
I had nothing but the truth of who I really was. I looked into his eyes and spoke from my heart.
— I believe in this bag. I’m willing to do anything to create it. I believe this handbag was born for phenomenal success. Do you want to be a part of this creation? Can you create it because no one else can? Or, I added quietly, “Can you just help?“
I felt as if I was channelling the divine. The words flew through me. My truth felt like my strongest power. I said everything I could. The only thing left was to surrender and trust.
And Claudio said YES.
I could not believe it. It was as if all Christmases came at once! My soul was in clouds of pure joy. I felt I had won a ticket to my cosmos. That “Yes” opened my doors to the world of the uncompromised creativity, the world I closed for myself at 6. Claudio’s quiet ‘Yes’ changed my life.
