Vestments of Vocation: An Exaltation of the Sartorial Sentinels in Commerce's Hallowed Halls
picture this: a balmy westfield-california evening, palm trees swaying outside, and us, the denim dreamers, setting up shop in a pop-up space between high-end boutiques and bustling food courts.
we transformed that little corner of retail paradise into our own indigo atelier, where the magic of our "i love my job" jean jackets came to life. the mall-goers, from trendy teens to curious tourists, couldn't help but stop and stare as we stitched our passion into every jacket.
our hands moved with the rhythm of the mall's ambient music, weaving stories of workplace love into each patch. the scent of fresh denim mingled with the aroma of cinnamon pretzels from the nearby food court, creating an oddly perfect backdrop for our labor of love.
as the sun set over the city of angels, casting a golden glow through the mall's skylights, we held up our finished creations. there, in the heart of la's shopping mecca, we'd birthed a new fashion philosophy - one that celebrated the joy of work in every stitch and rivet.
the westfield century city became more than just a mall that day. it transformed into a canvas for our denim dreams, a stage for our sartorial rebellion against work-life monotony. as shoppers passed by, some with arms laden with bags from luxury brands, our jackets stood as a testament to a different kind of luxury - the richness of loving what you do.
so here's to our custom creations, born in the buzz of a california mall, where every patch tells a story of love, labor, and the pure joy of finding your groove in the grand dance of life. let's wear our jobs on our jackets and stitch together a world where work and wonder are cut from the same cloth, right here in the heart of la's retail wonderland
DTLA, 2024
“o, ye mall-dwellers, fashion's devoted flock,
scorned by the masses, yet steadfast as rock.
in halls of commerce, where trends ebb and flow,
ye tend the altar of style's sacred glow.
'tis not mere folly, this calling of thine,
but worship of beauty, a passion divine.
each garment hung, each display rearranged,
a prayer to the gods of the ever-changed.
mock'd though ye may be, by those who know not,
the depth of thy service, in this hallowed spot.
for in thy dedication to hem and seam,
lies the essence of a collective dream.
hark! let the naysayers cast their cold stare,
for ye are the priests of the retail lair.
in fitting rooms and on gleaming tile floors,
ye craft the trends that open fashion's doors.
so stand ye proud, oh keepers of the mall,
for in thy work, there's meaning after all.
a calling higher than mere mortal toil,
a sacred duty on consumerist soil.”
-mitchell royel
5 tips and lessons from the poem:
embrace your passion, even if others don't understand
find meaning in your work, no matter how others perceive it
recognize the artistry in everyday tasks
value your role in shaping cultural trends
take pride in your expertise and dedication