I Had Forgotten That It Was The Middle Of Winter

by Luke Adelson-Yan

This week's post is a piece from our new friend, Luke. He came to our zine launch party and shared this beautiful essay with us. We hope you love it as much as we do.

I Had Forgotten That It Was The Middle Of Winter, by Luke Adelson-Yan

I had forgotten that it was the middle of winter. The icy wind’s unrelenting slap to the face, that typically deters me from going out on Friday’s, could not stop me as I squeezed into the packed L Train headed downtown. Many other subway goers and I stood in harmony–as if we were bonded together like fish on ice. Unlike the fish however, we were not for sale, but we all glistened under the white subway lights.

If not everyone, I for sure was glowing. I had a place to be. A party to catch–where I would be welcomed into my own “school of fish,” composed of people I’d yet to meet.

My girlfriend told me about Sydney three weeks ago. You see, I love fashion: I even make some clothes myself on the side. And as a New Yorker interested in fashion, I am always looking for the newest, emerging brands that will inspire me. To precede the latest trend is a feeling all fashion lovers crave to experience after all. My girlfriend however, beat me to it this time. She, who has been following Sydney and World of My Own’s growth for the past few years, informed me of the opportunity to attend their SS24 Zine Launch Party as a member of Press.

The perfect mix of nervousness and excitement, I was beyond allured upon entering Heaven Can Wait on Ave A. As I spoke with the kind and creative team at World of My Own, it was instantly clear that I was bound for an exciting night. Perhaps girlfriend’s know best after all.

People began to trickle in around 11; The line outside could not have been longer–an eager and celebratory energy had wrapped itself around the block. Ambient lighting and electronic music, courtesy of Kelsey H, Bodega Party and Denise Renee, formed an ecosystem that boasted celebration and freedom. In light of what Sydney herself told Press before the night started, it was clear that everyone in the room had become “detached from suffering” from the moment they entered. We were all practicing detachment from the problems and intricacies of our individual lives. I felt as if I was free.

The party became full before I knew it. Under the lights, I once again was reminded of a school of fish on ice. I shimmered, I danced, I celebrated. Despite this collective energy of dance, I did not feel as if I were homogenized–reduced to a member of the crowd. For every-single-person I saw looked beautiful; We all shined in our own respective ways.

I had formed a new community, and I hadn’t even spoken to that many people. It was at this moment that I realized what the essence of World of My Own really is–I understood Sydney’s vision. For everywhere I now go, World of My Own will follow me: We can all create a “world of [our] own.”

Beyond everything I saw that Friday night, what lay beneath was the gift of empowerment. As best put by Sydney herself, “there’s so many beautiful people” in the world, whom we can all become inspired by.

I can’t help but feel stronger. Sydney clearly has this special power that can uplift anyone–even a former stranger like myself.