After weeks of sweltering heat, it was only a matter of time before the skies broke open. And when they did, they didn’t hold back. We’re talking tropical rain—the kind that drenches the streets within seconds and makes you wonder if summer has been swallowed whole. Yesterday, just as Sabrina and I were about to head out to shoot for Jimmy Choo, the heavens unleashed a downpour so heavy that our carefully planned day seemed destined to dissolve in puddles.
But rain has a funny way of passing. Thirty minutes later, the storm had moved on, the streets gleamed under a returning sun, and we decided to seize the moment. So, we hopped on her scooter and set out across Amsterdam—seven looks, seven locations, and what felt like seven different versions of the city.
Of course, this wasn’t your average day of work. Picture this: trying to balance on a scooter in a mini-skirt, managing garment bags, navigating cobblestone streets, and smiling through it all. Add in the fact that we were shooting the Autumn/Winter collection in the middle of thirty-degree heat, and you get the picture. Wool, leather, and layering are not exactly what you crave when your body is already running on pregnancy-induced heat waves. There were moments I thought I might melt right onto the sidewalk.
And yet, every time the scooter sped up and a cool breeze kissed my skin, it felt like pure salvation. It wasn’t just the relief of fresh air—though I was deeply grateful for that—it was the sense of freedom that came with gliding through the city. Amsterdam stretched before us like a moving postcard: canals glittering under the post-rain sunlight, bicycles weaving past, and terraces slowly filling up again as if nothing had happened. That’s the charm of this city—it breathes, it resets, and it always surprises you.
By the time we had ticked off all seven shoots, I was sweaty, exhausted, and oddly exhilarated. Sometimes, it’s those messy, unpredictable days—the ones that don’t go as planned—that leave you with the best memories. I had seen nearly every corner of my beloved Amsterdam in one afternoon, and the chaos somehow made it more magical.
Today, by contrast, feels like another world. I’m curled up at my mother’s place, the pace slowed down entirely. James is taking his afternoon nap, and I’ve claimed a little slice of quiet for myself. Laptop open, a cup of tea within reach, and a bowl of ripe summer fruit by my side—it’s the kind of simple scene that feels like a reward after yesterday’s whirlwind. The rain is falling again outside, tapping softly against the windows, but instead of frustration, I feel comfort. It’s the perfect soundtrack to a slower day.
If yesterday was about pushing through the unexpected, today is about surrendering to calm. That balance—between the unpredictable chaos of life and the quiet rituals that restore us—is what keeps me steady. After all, rainstorms will always come, but so will the sunshine that follows. Sometimes, you just need to hop on a scooter, hold on tight, and let the wind remind you that joy often shows up in between the plans.
So, let it rain. I’ll take the storms, the sun, and everything in between.
