Prada Prada Bling Bling

I remember a time when I was off to the Venice Film Festival a few years ago with a film called The Nightingale

I needed a suit

I did not have the money to buy a suit

A few phone calls later (and because it was an Italian film festival)

I was in the big golden dressing rooms at Prada, getting everything tailored to my size

When I went to pick up the bag a few days later (with suit, shirt, belt, bowtie & leather shoes)

I asked when I needed to return it by

They laughed

“No, no, this is a gift for you”

My eyes became slightly wetter

I’de never received anything like that before

I mumbled “thank you”

Covered my head with my baseball cap

And left the store 

I walked down the street

Hopped on the bus

Took a big, grateful breath

And pulled my phone out to check my bank balance

I burst out laughing

$0.37

Oh… the dichotomies of this industry 

Catching the bus home with no money

And a bag full of luxurious clothes in my lap for the red carpet at Venice 

From one extreme to the other 

Looking back at the past decade in this industry 

I’ve noticed a few things

One in particular which is peaking my curiosity at the moment

I have never felt weaker as an artist than when I am reliant on my craft for income

On the flip side

I have never felt stronger as an artist than when I’m not reliant on my craft for income

Curious

Hope this helps

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