ALESSIA PASIN

Name: Alessia Pasin

Instagram: @alessiapasin

Intro: Managing Director of HUISHAN ZHANG.

What are the lessons you’ve learnt in lock-down: The most important lesson learned is that it opened my eyes to how incredibly lucky I am and to appreciate everything I have. A wonderful family, a tight network of friends and a job I very much enjoy that keeps me busy and constantly creative. I learned that we are all globally connected and dependant on each other. I couldn't have gotten through this without technology and even though it should be used in moderation, on a professional and personal level I would have been stranded. I started doing all sorts of classes online, from pilates to pottery to a patisserie course and a weekly dancing session…as well as weekly family Zoom calls…

What do you miss most / what are you looking forward to: I'm quite a tactile and physical person (I’m half Italian after all), so I'm missing the human contact and the personal connections that incubate new ideas. I'm looking forward to travelling and exploring new destinations. This year I've only focused on seeing family. The only place where I wanted to be. I'm looking forward to making the most of what London has to offer culturally again. The theatre, the ballet, the opera, concerts, museums. Trying new restaurants and making sure I support as many independently owned businesses as possible.

What have you learned about yourself this year: This year has been eye-opening and formative in so many different ways. I've learned so much about myself, what truly makes me happy, how much I can endure, how resilient and resourceful I can be when put under pressure. As Frida Kahlo once said, "At the end of the day, we can endure more than we think we can". I learned that I can't control everything, and I need to let things happen and let things go. I've learned that it's acceptable to struggle, it's important to talk about it, and in these unprecedented times it's admissible to have the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, sometimes all in the same day or the same hour or even at the same time. But overall, I'm thankful for this annus horribilis and the realisations, learnings, obstacles and the road to recovery.

Any projects you have been working on that you would like to talk about? Out of these dark times, so many exciting projects have come to light. We have launched our first Cheongsam Capsule, inspired by Wong Kar Wai's "In the Mood for Love" and launched with SKP. We have also opened our first pop up in China in Beijing that will last until March 2021, which is the first of a series of planned activations in China. Last but not least this project with Women for Women which was born from a desire to share experiences with our community.

Thoughts for the new year: I hope that when we come out the other side, we don't forget the lessons learnt, that we always remember our fragility, that we accept the world can grind to a halt. Of course, I hope that life can go back to a certain normality, but I hope we accept the rupture and come out of it more mindful, considered, kind and respectful and continue to have deeper conversations. And that we make a conscious effort to stop wasting time, energy on non-issues, creativity, resources and food.

What are you wearing and why were you drawn to it: I love these pieces because of the unusual and chameleonic colour. In different lights, these pieces can change from gold to lime to yellow to green. The colour, the shiny sequins and the ruffles bring me much needed whimsy and joy. I also never met a mock neck I didn’t like!

Alessia wears: The Dixie Top and Effie Skirt in chartreuse sequins.