Stitching Time
- Lynn Fu
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
On a quiet afternoon on Anfu Road, the gentle hum of the city fades into the background as I step into a small boutique filled with vintage-style handmade clothing and artisanal crafts. The space feels like a pocket of calm in Shanghai’s ever-rushing tempo. Behind the counter stands the owner Ms. Sun, a woman whose journey and philosophy on life are stitched into every piece she creates.
"I've been in Shanghai for ten years now," she tells me, her hands gently folding a linen dress. "This store has been here for eight years."
The boutique, a collaborative effort between her and her business partner, is more than just a shop— it is a manifestation of a lifestyle that values patience, craftsmanship, and authenticity.
A Slow Path to Creation
Unlike many fashion designers who train at prestigious schools, she found her way into this vibrant world through an organic journey of passion and love.
"I never studied art or design," she admits with a smile. "It was just passion. When you love something, you naturally start researching, observing, and developing your own aesthetic. One thing led to another, and I found the right partner to open this shop."
Her creations stand in stark contrast to the mass-produced garments flooding online marketplaces. Every piece in her shop takes between 10 to 20 days to complete, a timeline dictated not by deadlines but by the careful attention to detail required to make something truly special.
"Fast fashion has made things difficult for independent designers like us," she says. "Most people follow trends without developing their own aesthetic. Clothing has become disposable—worn for a season and then discarded. We put so much time and effort into each item, but when people are used to buying ten items online, trying them on, and returning most of them, it’s hard for them to understand our process."
Despite the rise of e-commerce and fast fashion, she remains committed to her craft, believing that there are still those who appreciate the beauty of slow, intentional creation.
Living at a Different Pace
Beyond the store, her personal life mirrors the philosophy she brings into her work. While Shanghai is known for its high-speed lifestyle, she has chosen to walk at her own rhythm.
"I think most people are chasing a fast-paced life, but I prefer a slower one," she shares. "Every day, I wake up, cook a meal—I love food, my motto is 'I live to eat!'—and then I come to the shop in the afternoon. It’s a simple life, but it’s mine."
She laughs when I express admiration for her seemingly stress-free routine.
"There’s nothing to envy. I think everyone, whether a student or someone working, should just live each day well and not put too much pressure on themselves. Money is endless, but happiness comes from doing what you love."
It’s a refreshing perspective, especially in a time when productivity and ambition are often seen as the ultimate measures of success.
A Different Kind of Childhood
Our conversation drifts to the changes she has observed in society, particularly how different the world looks now compared to when she was young.
"To be honest, I don’t envy your generation," she says thoughtfully. "I feel so lucky to have grown up in the ’80s. We didn’t have smartphones or endless distractions. After school, we played outside, jumped rope, caught fish—it was a simple, honest way to live. People connected on a deeper level, not just through screens."
That doesn’t mean she dismisses modern advancements. "Every era has its strengths. Technology makes things more convenient, but it’s about what you choose to focus on. If you want to experience a simpler way of living, it’s still possible—it’s all about what you prioritize."
The Beauty of Slow Living
As our conversation winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the intentionality that guides her life. In a society obsessed with speed and efficiency, she has built a space that celebrates slowness—not just in craftsmanship but in the way she moves through life itself.
"At the end of the day, it’s about what you truly want. If you crave more, you’ll always be chasing after something you can never get enough of. But if you focus on making each day good, you’ll find happiness in the present."
Her words lingered in my mind long after I left the shop. In a world that constantly urges us to speed up, perhaps true luxury lies in the quiet hum of a sewing machine, in the careful fold of a linen dress, or in the unhurried rhythm of an afternoon well spent— a reminder that slowness is not a hindrance, but a quiet elegance, taking one stitch, one step, one moment at a time.
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