Create Your Own Escape

SiiM at the edge of King's Canyon, Australia, 1998

Escapism comes in many forms, and for me, it’s about indulging in the things that let me feel free: fashion, travel, food… and designing. These are the lenses through which I experience the world — and each one offers its own kind of escape.

Fashion:

There’s something magical about dressing for the moment. Some days, I wear clothes that feel like armor, protecting me from the world. Other days, I wear my pajamas all day. (Thanks Covid!) And other times I wear clothes that feel light and playful. I dress for the way I want to feel. Fashion for me is cyclical, like life—each outfit a reflection of where I am mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Whether I’m embracing simplicity or exploring bold new combinations, the clothes (and shoes) I choose are an escape—a way to express who I am in that moment.

Travel:

Travel is perhaps the most logical expression of escapism. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a new city, wandering streets I’ve never seen before, and tasting foods I can’t pronounce - the farther away, the better. It’s not so much about running away, but about expanding my inner world, moving my mental fence line, joining a larger community, allowing myself to be surprised, confused, and delighted by the unfamiliar. When I travel, even around Jamaica, I trust in the journey, knowing that the best experiences often come from the unexpected. I embrace the detours, the wrong turns, the moments when I have no idea where I’m headed—because that’s often when I find the most freedom.

Food:

And then, there’s food. For me, food is the quickest way to escape. Cooking a meal, savoring a bite, or sharing a table with friends and often strangers connects me to cultures, to people, to life. Every dish tells a story. I’ve found that by immersing myself in local cuisines—whether it’s a street vendor in Thailand, a café in Riomaggiore or a likkle bar on the roadside in the cool hills of St Elizabeth, Jamaica—I can learn more about a place than any guidebook could ever teach me. Food is my compass, guiding me through every new adventure, offering an escape through flavors and experiences.

Design:

Now, to me, this is the ultimate escape! When designing, it's just me in my own little universe. When I'm given a design problem, whether it's an interior layout for a new office building with conflicting uses, an event concept, a logo design, a convertible blouse idea or a cultural exhibit, I escape into a theoretical universe of overlapping, often contradictory ideas, and from that chaos I seek the hidden geometry, the unexpected intersections and mysterious synergies. Mi love dat!

So, escapism doesn’t always mean leaving everything behind. Sometimes it’s as simple as slipping into a new outfit, taking a spontaneous day-trip, cooking a meal or fitting 300 people into an impossible floor plan. It’s about creating moments where you feel free—free to explore, to express yourself, to live.