Dreamlism Zine Issue 01: Once Upon A Dream

I s s u e

0 1 :

a creative collective created by kindred spirits

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream"

EDITOR'S

letter

Flipping open the pages of Dreamlism Zine, you are entering a realm where imagination runs wild and passions are shared. Prepare to be immersed in the exquisite work created by kindred minds. The aim of Dreamlism ZIne is to provide a space where creatives can connect to express ideas and thoughts freely through creative forms. This issue is a collection of creative work made by people from all around the world. The content ranges from poems and stories to music and photography (and much more).

"Once Upon A Dream" is a theme inspired by dreamy fairytales and their aesthetic.

Many of us have grown up with fairy tale stories. They allow us to escape our busy lives and experience a totally different life. From living in a magical cottage in the woods to dancing in a grand ballroom. If we slow down and look around, we would realize that our daily lives can be just as magical and beautiful as the dreamy worlds in fairytales. It's all about the meanings we give them. We hope this issue can give our readers the same experience - to escape to a imaginative wonderland.

As the founder and editor-in-chief of Dreamlism Zine, I am incredibly grateful for every creator that have contributed their work to this issue. Every single piece of work you see is wonderfully crafted by the creators, this issue is only made possible with their contribution. The creativity and talent they have shared with us are truly inspiring.

I would also like to thank all of our readers, for supporting us and making all of this possible.

Thank you all very much for reading this and I hope you'll enjoy this magical journey.

-Linda.C

Pass for entering this fairytale dream Be prepared for the most magical adventure you'll ever experience

by Lea Stride Petersen @lea_visuals on Instagram

I S SContributors UE ONE Cover: @sara_.__photography Second Page: @prairiepastels Back Cover: @sleepybutterflyy

@lindyfeaster

@kywu_ki

@unnamedwonder

@c_.arys

@edithmariegreen

@almanaim

@lea_visuals

@viewfinderparty

@khalesi_love

@rushmilakhans

@cindytranwrites

@sara_.__photography

@sleepybutterflyy

@prairiepastels

@swetha_narayanan

@anikasoodphoto

@melindachang_

@bellaquoix

@lyydias_world

@pastel_julia

@sylvies.photos

@upsygals

@chaoscapturess

@_littlelupe

@victorian.squirrel

@_unheard_notes_

@just_a_little.bit_more

@praise.photographs

by Anika Sood @anikasoodphoto on Instagram

by Bella Quoix @bellaquoix on Instagram

by Bella Sierra @sleepybutterflyy on Instagram

guardian angel

By Lindy Fester

@lindyfeaster on Instagram

Blood orange, it feels like I’m floating in a flaming lantern.

Filled with helium, I fly higher & higher.

Thunder claps & I dance barefoot, spinning. Sap between my toes.

Raindrops gleamlacing, draping.

This spider spins mica out of starlight.

Amber is plentiful in the enchanted forests of my mindlike a bug, if you get too close you’ll be trapped.

Image by Amy Tam @unnamedwonder on Instagram

the end of all things

By Edith-Marie Green

@edithmariegreen/ @@short_girl_writes on Instagram

"as i go on into peace"Â

i found where your peace lie sa mountaintop, a breezy bluff a wild strawberry, a smile i cannot hope to unsee. were you waiting here all this time for me? i cannot take you with me,

so i must stay here (if not in body then in soul--eternity.)

@khalesi_love on Instagram

I know you; From somewhere.

Have we met before?

Your voice sings songs I seem to have forgotten, songs I used to know; An echo of another world.

Your words are like recollections, stolen from books of past lives and ancient lover’s minds; Melodic strings of poetry wrapping around me, drawing me in with each breath.

Every syllable enchants, Like a drop of golden rain.

Where have I heard those words before?

How can your thoughts be so familiar?

I’m almost sure, I know you. A hazy memory; Your eyes, your hands, your shoulders, shadows of a dream.

You feel like everything good and safe, something sure and unfading, something I’ve known for so much longer than today.

In your eyes there is a light, a passion, a feeling so familiar it illuminates the strange and nameless knowing of a forgotten past; For a moment I can all but reach it, before slipping back into the glow of your mystery.

I wish I could remember that dream.

But with every gaze and touch you are reminding me; Of the lives, the worlds, the stories we once wrote; Phantoms of another time, bringing an electric clarity to the familiar you. I know you; I walked with you once.

That was my favorite dream.

by Sylvie Tam @sylvies.photos on Instagram

by Melinda Chang @melindachang_ on Instagram

Image by Sylvie Tam

Coming of Age @lyydias_world on Instagram

I don’t like heels.

Not because I’m too tall or unbalanced, ready to topple at the slightest uncertainty.

I don’t like heels, because they are like an rsvp to womanhood each pinch is a pester of what’s to come.

They are for compliments not comfort; the feeling you’re pulling it off, when really a single slip out of character will get blood on your newly furnished identity.

I’m not quite ready to hang up my unshaven legs, my optimism, my bravery.

I keep closing the door on self-consciousness, but he never stops knocking.

He always brings the stilettos with him.

When Cinderella put that heeled slipper on, I don’t think she quite knew what exactly she was getting herself into.

@sylvies.photos on Instagram

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Pastel Julia We are very lucky to have a chance to interview Julia - a 20-year-old content creator from the Netherlands. She owns the YouTube channel

Pastel Julia, which has almost 20K subscribers!

Her videos mainly revolves around DIYs, art & sometimes lifestyle. You'll be immersed in a warm & dreamy aesthetic when visiting her channel. Let's dive deeper to find out more about herself and her journey as a YouTube creator!

How has starting your YouTube channel impacted your life?

Starting my channel has impacted my life in so many ways. It has made me so much more confident. I used to be a little bit shy, but my channel gives me the confidence I needed.

There's something about having a big following that makes you feel so much more appreciated.

Knowing that people like what I create makes me so happy.

How would you describe your channel’s aesthetic? What inspires it?

My channel is mainly inspired by my love for astrology and spirituality. I love including moons and suns and stars in my DIY's. It took me a while to find the "aesthetic" of my channel, and I'm always looking for new ways to make my videos look better. I guess you could describe my channel aesthetic as dreamy, spiritual, and very warm.

Which video is the one you’re most proud of?

I'm proud of a lot of videos but the one that I enjoyed the most was my 30 days painting challenge series. I basically forced myself to paint every single day for a month and upload a video every single day. It was super hard, considering I was also still going to school every day. But I learned so much from myself in those 30 days. The one video that I love the most from that series is day #21 where I painted the creation of Adam on an old thrifted purse.

What is your favorite type of video to make?

I love doing DIYs! That's the main focus on my channel, but sometimes I like to do some lifestyle videos as well.

How have you changed since you first started?

Before I started my channel, I had just started my new study as a styling design student. I had just come from high school and during my high school time I used to get bullied pretty often.. because of that I didn't have a lot of confidence. I kept myself pretty much in the background. When I started my channel all that lost confidence came back and I've grown so much ever since. And it has given me the power to never let people treat me like that again.

Have you ever thought of giving up? If yes, why did you continue?

There were some times that I've taken breaks from YouTube. Forcing yourself to upload a video every week can be very stressful. I've definitely seen the toxic side of social media. But I never thought about quitting.

Would you do anything differently if you had to start all over again?

If I would do it all over again I would skip that period where I made Dutch content and make English content instead of right away.

What is the best comment you’ve ever received?

I get so many sweet and beautiful comments, but the one that really stuck with me was a comment of someone saying "she's such a goddess". For someone who used to be bullied, getting a comment like that really boosts your self-esteem through the roof! I thought that was so sweet!

Empowering others through little comments like that can really make a difference in someone's life.

Where do you see your channel in the next few years?

Next year I'm going to start my new study "content creation". I hope to improve my editing skills and make many more video's from then on! I don't know where I'll be in a few years. I don't really see myself making a living out of YouTube anytime soon. But I hope I will never give up on video making because it's my true passion.

Would you like to try anything new in the future?

I would love to make a short film in the future! I have so many idea's and I would love to turn those into a film!

What advice would you give to people who want to start their own aesthetic YouTube channel?

Respect the process, It's okay if your videos don't get a lot of views at first and it's okay if you still need to find your style. Keep improving! But most importantly: Don't compare yourself to others! I used to do that a lot but It can get a little toxic.

Be you and do your own thing. It's totally okay to find inspiration from other channels but don't copy them. Don't do it for the views or the brand deals, make videos that you enjoy making and that spark joy to you.

Social Media: @pastel_julia on Instagram Pastel Julia on YouTube

Ä—, @just_a_little.bit_more on IG

by Ugn

by Praise Fung @praise.photographs on Instagram

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

out of my mind

by Paige Reberger @chaoscapturess on Instagram

by Paige Reberger @chaoscapturess on Instagram

A Nightingale’s Lover @victorian.squirrel on Instagram

It was seven years ago when I was enchanted by an old witch that lives in the depth of the forest. My soft lips were turned into a hard beak, my eyes into small black beads and my fingers into long and strong wings that whirl up dust when I lift myself from the ground. With a violent sparkle in your eyes, you promised you‘d take me back, and the witch told you that you would never find me again. With my claws clutching a stone I’d often fly over your town, looking at you from above, and remembering that you held me in a cage like a bird, long before my lover from the woods made me a beautiful nightingale.

by Paige Reberger @chaoscapturess on Instagram

Encounter with the Fae @kywu_ki on Instagram

I´ve always loved my grandma, the nice, quiet, and robust woman. I used to spend summer afternoons with her, she would teach me about her magic spells and encounters with little and elusive creatures called “fae”. My grandma, whose Irish roots gave her the ability to contact those creatures.

She once told me a story, when she was younger she met a girl called Mya. “Oh, the sweet little Mya” she would say “the wretched red hair girl who was so careless that she accepted the gift from the fae”. I was young when she told me the story, but I can still remember some details.

My grandma and Mya were friends. Both of them restless and young, the kind of girls who would collect shiny stones without further investigations. One day, my nana said, they were exploring the forest near Mya´s house in a small town in the old Ireland.

“Amy, look what I found!” the red hair yelled, so my nana went to where the girl was, Mya was holding the rock. “look at this shiny rock! Isn´t it cute?”

Then, my grandma went pale. Her mother, who was a witch, told her about “dangerous” gifts that can be made by Celtic creatures.

“Leave that alone!” grandma smacked her hand. “Those are gifts from the fae, if you thank them they´ll eat your insides” “Don´t be silly Amy, those are only fairytales. Look, nothing is going to happen”. The girl took a deep breath and said “Oh, dear fairies, thank you for this…umm gift?” then she turned to see my nana “see?

“Well, when they eat your guts I will not help you,” nana said and left.

When grandma was telling me the story, she was looking outside the window. It was remembering that old forest of her childhood. We were in front of a chimney, it was raining. The crystals that were outside her cottage were clinking. She stood up her sofa and made some hot chocolate milk, and then she proceeds to resume the story.

So Mya, the red hair, continued to live what was the rest of her life. That was until she found a fae circle. For those who don´t know, a fae ring is a place where those creatures dance and dance till dawn.

The girl, attracted by the sound of the music and the mushroom growing in that circle, walked slowly until she reached it. “tar anseo agus damhsa” the almost inaudible voices of the fae attracted the red hair.

And then, she was condemned to dance for eternity. Her body was replaced by a fae.

I stroked my nana´s white with red hair.

“Don´t worry Nana, I´ll keep your secret”

by Amy Tam @unnamedwonder on Instagram

Untitled @c_.arys on Instagram

When the monsters in my head run laps around my head I think of that day I spent with her. When I held her in my arms I felt as if the world stood still, that all the hurt that was suffered was gone. The sun shone on our faces. The tall thick grass in the field, we lay in surrounded us for miles almost as if it was protecting us from some darker force. And her smile, how could anyone forget that smile? It was the kind of smile that could light up even the gloomiest of rooms. That day she lit up the gloomy room within me. She was kind that day she gave up her lunch to feed the ducks, they all feasted on her honey and jam sandwich. So I gave her half of my cheese sandwich and we sat there, our feet hanging over the edge of that little wooden bridge overlooking the fairytaleesque pond.

It was pristine that day. I wish it had never ended, I would have gladly spent an eternity staring into her eyes. Her eyes were different from mine or yours, they had a longing in them, they saw more than what's in front of her. They saw right through my façade of daisies and daydreams. They opened up to me as well and told me of all her scars. Her battle wounds. Her triumphs and defeats. Her leafy green eyes freed me that day, and I could never thank her enough for that.

When I go back to that place I see her in the trees, in the birds and the bees. Her spirit follows me like a permanent shadow.

When i go back and lie alone on the freshly mowed grass I can feel her squeezing my hand in fear.

But why is she afraid?

I'm the one who's left here mourning the empty body of a soul I’ve never known Then I open my eyes and see the shell of a body that belongs to me Alone in a dark gloomy windowless room

Once upon a dream @almanaim on Instagram

her magic all over the world, and wake up in a field. Daisies all around and the sun is always shining, it is never nighttime in that dream she's waking up to. Her long red hair flowing in the wind, her green dress that reaches her knees matching the color of the field. She flattered her red wings, flying over the white flowers and going to where she's always going when she has this dream, the big tree right next to the field. On one of the branches sat a fairy with long curly black hair, her black eyes staring at the other fairy with a smirk on her face. "What's up flower?" the black-haired fairy said and jumped off the branch, not using her dark purple wings, walking towards the redhead. "I told you not to call me Kyra," the redhead said as she got down in front of the other fairy, also known as Kyra. "What can I say flower? It suits you" the smirk's never leaving Kyra's face. The redhead shook her head "can't you just call me Ivy?". Kyra made a thinking face and hummed "no, it’s too boring", Ivy sighed "will I ever manage to talk you out of calling me that name?" "you can try but you'll never succeed". Kyra started walking towards the field, picking up a few daisies and tying them with the rope that kept her hair up. A bouquet of daisies came to Ivy's view as well as a smiling Kyra "for you flower". She smirked at Ivy's visible blush "who knew you could be so romantic" she said shyly, not meeting Kyra's gaze. "Only for your flowers," Kyra said while playing with a lock of Ivy's hair. Time has gone by, the two watched the clouds, walked around the field, and eventually arrived at the far away lake. The fairies' feet tangled at the edge of the lake, slightly touching the water "this is perfect" Kyra broke the silence, not making

eye

contact

with

Ivy.

The

other

fairy

looked

at

Kyra

with

admiration

and

eventually put her head on her shoulder "it is, I wish it could last forever" she sighed. At that Kyra jumped in the air and hovered over Ivy who almost fell because of Kyra's sharp movement. "Do you mean that?" Kyra asked eagerly, her wide eyes staring directly at Ivy "what…?" she asked confused "did you mean that when you said you wish this moment could last forever?". Ivy looked at Kyra confused "yes but-" "no but, please just stay here forever

and

we

could

stay

together

forever,

please"

Kyra's

eyes

showed

so

much

excitement as she held Ivy's hands in her own. Ivy laughed "Kyra I wish I could but this isn't possible" "yes it is, you just need to trust me" "Kyra don't be so naïve! This is all a dream, can't you see? This is a dream and you're a part of it, you're not real and soon I'll wake up from that dream and you will be gone! Because you are nothing but a figment of my mind, nothing but my imagination. In reality, you are nothing".

The second Ivy said those words she regretted them, Kyra’s smile immediately turned into a frown and her eyes watered, “no Kyra I’m sorry I-” “no forget it”. Kyra’s face turned emotionless as she wiped her unshed tears “I’m nothing to you, right? just a dream that’s all, you might as well wake up from that dream of yours so you won’t have to see me again, goodbye Ivy”, the curly-haired fairy said and flew away. Ivy couldn’t help but stare at her blue wings until they disappeared from her sight, a horrified expression on her face ‘this is the first time she called me Ivy and not flower’. Ivy woke up with a startle, her breathing was uneven and sweat covered her face, she got out of her small bed and flew out of her room. Her room is a big flower that would open and close with magic, in her room was a small bed and bedside table, her room not different from all the rooms of the other fairies who can control nature. Ivy got down from her flower and flew to the well that provides water to her and all of the other fairies. Ivy tried to be as quiet as possible while pouring herself some water, it was still dark and the other fairies were still asleep, or at least that’s what Ivy thought. ”Hello Ivy!” a voice screamed which made Ivy jump and spill all the water from her cup on herself. “What the hell?!” she whispered aggressively and turned around to see her friends, “sorry Ivy,” a boy fairy with white hair, blue eyes, and tanned skin said while scratching the back of his neck. He wore black pants and a green long-sleeved shirt with a brown belt, his white wings sticking out in the dark. “That’s okay Miles,” Ivy said while trying to get the water out of her clothes, “here let me”, a girl fairy with purple wavy hair and brown eyes wearing a blue dress and has dark blue wings said. The fairy raised her hands and the water on Ivy followed the other fairy’s hands back into Ivy’s cup “thank you Violet” “no problem Ivy” Violet replied smiling. “What are you three doing up anyway?” “we’re going on an adventure!” Miles screamed which earned him glares from the three other fairies as he mumbled a quiet “sorry”. “Anyway yeah, we’re going on an adventure, we were just about to go to your flower and invite you to join us, so what do you say?” asked the last fairy, a tall pale girl fairy with long wave orange colored and brown eyes and wings. Unlike the other girl fairies, she wore a brown sleeveless top and black pants. Ivy looked at her friends and said “sure, I need to let loose for a bit so why not?”. “Wow, who knew Ivy could be not so uptight from time to time,” the ginger said and rose an eyebrow, Ivy rolled her eyes at that “shut it Silver, now come on let’s go”. The four of them walked until they reached the end of their camp, where all the other nature fairies state, “guys? where are we going? it is not allowed to leave camp at night”

Ivy said, stopping in her place and looking at her friends with concern in her eyes. Silver groaned “come on Ivy we’re just going to our cliff so we could watch the sunrise, don’t be so boring all the time” she called and continued walking. Ivy’s face flushed “I’m not boring” she fluttered her wings and flew towards them, landing next to Violet “right?” she asked “of course you’re not boring, you know Silver she’s just like that sometimes” Violet answered, “yeah right…”.They arrived at the bottom of the cliff “come on guys!”

Silver called already on her way to the top of the cliff by flying up there. One by one they all arrived at the top within seconds “I just love this place” Violet said while reaching for one of the many purple flowers around them. “We still have about an hour until sunrise, what do you girls wanna do?” Miles asked “we can watch the moon and wish things and maybe the moon fairy will hear us and make our wishes come true!”

Violet said and sat at the edge of the cliff, staring at the moon with a soft expression on her face. The three other fairies looked at each other confused “the moon fairy? no one saw them for years, do you honestly believe they’re out there?” Miles asked Violet.

She answered without taking her eyes off the moon “yes, I think they’re still out there, I need to believe so they’ll feel that someone’s got their back, that someone hasn’t lost hope on them. And even if I’m the only one to do so, if I’m the only one to be a believer then I don’t care, sometimes you just need one person that believes in you to help pick you up and stand on your feet”. Violet’s eyes shone as she stared at the moon and everyone was silent “well you’re not the only believer V” Ivy said breaking the silence “we’re all believers, right guys?” Miles and Silver both nodded and sat next to Violet as Ivy joined them. They all sat there making wishes until a growl was heard from behind, the three wolves were making their way towards the group. “Stay behind me!” Miles called and raised his hand, creating a small flame in case the wolves will attempt to attack them. “Miles stop!” Silver called and stood in between the wolves and the fairies.

“Silver what do you think you’re doing?! get behind me” Miles screamed as Silver got closer to the wolves “shhh we don’t want to hurt you,” she said softly with her hands towards them as she got into eye level with them so they wouldn't feel threatened. “We don’t want to hurt you,” she said as the biggest wolf let her pet him, “good boy, now run along,” Silver said smiling and got up as the wolves left.

Silver turned to see the three other fairies looking at her in shock “what?” she asked “last time I checked you only knew how to talk to rabbits and small birds” Ivy said as Silver shrugged “I’ve been practicing” she replied smirking. The four sat and watched as she sun rose, sunlight covering the forests and animals waking up, the river’s water glistening and birds start to sing, it was peaceful but Ivy couldn’t help the guilt feeling in her gut from the events in her dream. Weeks went by, every night Ivy dreamt about the field but couldn’t see Kyra no matter how much she wanted. One restless night Ivy walked alone to the cliff and sat at the edge of it “hello moon fairy, it’s me again Ivy, I don’t know why I’m talking to you you're probably not even listening but I can’t talk to anyone else or they’ll think I’m crazy. I miss Kyra. I know I shouldn't cause she’s not real but I do. The look on her face when I told her that was heartbreaking. I just want things to go back to normal, I want to see her in my dreams”. The moon shined brightly as a figure came from it, their skin was purple and they had long blue hair and light blue eyes, they wore black pants and a white oversized shirt with dots that looked like the night sky. “Hello darling,” the fairy said as they sat next to Ivy “the moon fairy…?” “the one and only, now I heard you’re in distress, something about a girl named Kyra and how you can’t see her in your dreams anymore?”. Ivy got out of her shock “yes! do you know where I can find her?” “you’ll find her when you’ll accept her”. Ivy looked at them confused “accept her?” they nodded “this dream isn’t just a dream, it’s your future. In your future, you will live wherever your dream occurs with Kyra, your soulmate. You are only able to see your soulmate in your dreams until you accept the fact that she isn’t just a dream but your future” and with that, the moon fairy started disappearing into the moon again leaving Ivy alone. Ivy was quiet for a few moments until it hit her “Kyra is my soulmate and I only see my soulmate once upon a dream…”.

by Jose Pezza @viewfinderparty on Instagram

The line between reality and fantasy-

"Kafka on the Shore" @rushmilakhans on Instagram

"On my fifteenth birthday, I'll run away from home, journey to a far-off town, and live in a corner of a small library."

As you flip through the pages of "Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami, a novel beyond the laws and linearity of time, themes explored but never concluded, a plot fantastically engaging, it leaves you with satisfying incompleteness - that's the only way I can describe it.

Alternating between the lives of Kafka, a boy of emotionless void and unbending discipline, and Nakata, an old man who can talk to cats, we journey through their lives as elements of fantasy blend with otherwise hard truths of reality. We hope with each chapter that the stories will collide, but they keep pushing parallelly relentlessly.

Kafka's journey is one of liberating himself, as he goes off and lives in a small library is a town away from home. Strange things happen all over Japan. He almost resembles aspects of a coming-of-age protagonist, but not quite. Kafka is independent for his age, and has a hard exterior, but struggles with internal conflicts. You feel his conflicts and confusion as if they are your own. He meets new people on his lone travel and it seems as though their paths intertwine undoubtedly, that something epic is going to unravel, but Murakami teases you till the end. He hands you the puzzle pieces for assumption but never confirms them.

An ethereal and uncanny tale unfolds on following Nakata. An old man who lives alone and can talk to cats, hop on a journey to collect a magical stone. The thing about this book is that all of this seems real. You are just as unbothered about the oddity of the situation as is Nakata. That’s the beauty of it.

This novel puts forth two unified stories of separate semblances. Murakami has scattered throughout the book eerie instances from newspaper extracts to unusual occurrences that seem to merge, but never do. The writing is a wave of varying frequencies that work perfectly together.

With progression, the fantasy in the book grows more and more in compliance with reality, as both elements fight to take a stand in the novel. Everything makes sense and nothing does. Perfect harmony and total discord. Murakami only lays out the incredible stories for you, he does not draw a definite conclusion.

by Jose Pezza @viewfinderparty on Instagram

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Upsygals

Upsygals, pronounced like "up-cycles" is a

Malaysia-based boutique that helps Mother Earth by selling clothes made from pre-loved garments.

The founders/ designers/ photographer/ crafters are both female Malaysians. Xinyi, a fashion design graduate from RMIT Melbourne, and her best friend since 13, QianKu, a vegan scuba instructor who needed a creative outlet for her energy, both understands that shopping at thrift stores can be stressful from the smell and dust, plus most garments are either outdated or ill-fitted. So together we decided to start up Upsygals at the beginning of year 2020 to help preloved garments find a new home and heal Mother Earth.

"We craft spontaneously and creatively, keeping our mind and art fresh, making sure every piece is made with love and happiness."

In this interview, we'll learn more about the behind-the-scenes of running an upcycled clothing brand.

dreamlism.com/interview/upsygals/page1

Question 1 When did your interest in fashion (or more specifically reworked fashion) start?

Drawing/ painting and playing with colours was a big part of our life since we were young and we also did a lot of art projects together back in high school. We think growing up creating arts really just opened up our artistic side and fashion is art, art we put on us. As for why reworked fashion? Qianku is vegan and from being vegan you also learn to protect Mother Earth and so we started thrifting about shops 3 years ago and absolutely fell in love with thrifting and we just really want more people to see how great thrifting is!

As for Xinyi, she did her fashion design course in Melbourne and teachers there taught her sustainable fashion.

Question 2 Question 3

Where does the inspiration for Upsygal's

How did people around you react when

style come from?

you’ve decided to start Upsygals?

Honestly we are on pinterest a lot hahah!

At first our parents don't quite understand

But that said, a lot of times we also get

what sustainable fashion is and did not

inspired by the unique pieces we thrifted

like us thrifting as they thought the clothes

as well as trying to craft what we actually

are dirty(thrifting is not a common thing in

want to wear ourselves to make the world

Malaysia) and being the older generation

more fun and colourful. For the

they also couldn't understand our unique

construction of our clothes, you will see a

style, but slowly they accepted the fact

lot of straps for tying and this was inspired

that what we are doing is good for the

by how every woman owns a very unique

environment. Most of our friends are quite

body shape and we wanted to create

supportive as they know this is what

better fitting without using extra materials

Mother Earth needs!

like elastics, buttons or zips.

dreamlism.com/interview/upsygals/page2

Question 4 What would you say is unique about Upsygals?

Question 5 All our pieces are one and only and most pieces come with unique patchworks, you wouldn't find our style anywhere else. As a

How do you advertise your business?

So far it's just from sharing on instagram with help from family and friends.

sustainable brand we also try to be as affordable as possible to break the

How much time does it take

stereotype of sustainable fashion being

(approximately) to produce one piece of

very expensive when most of the

garment?

sustainable brands out there are really just

Depending on the complexity of the

greenwashing and overpriced their

design and patchworks, it takes around

clothes.We also challenge ourself to be as

2-5 days with two pairs of hands.

creative as possible by spontaneously crafting new pieces regularly.

Question 7 What is the biggest challenge you’ve

Question 6

come across while running a business?

What are the best things about starting

Making things sustainable when the whole

your own business?

world is not sustainable is very

We can set our own beliefs and make sure

challenging. Sustainable threads and

we really stick to it, owning your own

mailers/packaging are very rare and

creations and not selling them to other

expensive and that really challenged us on

companies, learning how everything works,

pricing our clothes as affordable as

having full control of our production

possible. The slow production of two

making sure it is as sustainable as

people also does not allow a cheaper

possible, and influencing people around

pricing as we wouldn't be able to survive

us to.

and keep the business going.

dreamlism.com/interview/upsygals/page3

Question 8 What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned after starting Upsygals?

Producing clothes that are unique, beautiful, comfortable and fit nicely is not easy work and it is absolutely disgusting that fast fashion companies pay so little to their workers. Also, always plan things out early and write them down because our tiny little brains can only fit so much, we went with the flow and although everything will still turn out fine at the end but we surely hit more walls than needed.

Question 9 Would you do anything differently if you had to start all over again?

Maybe pricing our arts higher cause the production and sourcing is harder than most people think, really takes a whole lot

UPSYGALS' INFO CARD

of time and energy hahah!(Don't worry, it's

Find out more about Upsygals:

a joke). WRITE THINGS DOWN, order things

Instagram: @upsygals

early and maybe don't start a business

Website: www.upsygals.com

during a pandemic because everything kind of just doesn't work hahah.

Question 11 Question 10

What advice would you give to people

Where do you see Upsygals in the next

who want to start their own upcycled

few years?

clothing brand?

We are hoping to have a bigger

You don't need a lot of money to start as

production team and sell worldwide

secondhand machines and clothes are

converting fast fashion consumers to buy

cheap and Nike says it best , just do it!

sustainable clothes. Having production

Don't give up, go hit walls(not literally) and

teams in different parts of the world so

let problems challenge you, these will

that our clothes are even more sustainable

make everything more valuable and

from less transportations as people will be

better! Remember why you are doing what

able to purchase domestically.

you are doing!

by Sara Legler @sara_.__photography on Instagram

by Jazzy Pearl @prairiepastels on Instagram

the color blue dreams

By Cindy Tran

@cindytranwrites on Instagram

Just as you never see yourself in your sleep, the color blue dreams of green skies, bright orange seas, and barely-there pink bruises that slip away far too quickly for its mind to register. A twisted world is what it sees.

The

color

blue

dreams

in

nightmares,

crying

out

at

broken

semblances of the world it believed it knew, a land twisted on its axis and turned blind to all that is wrong and all that is broken.

When the color blue wakes up, it shudders at its reflection. It sees blood red, the shade of the sky, sun setting.

Image by Bella Sierra, @sleepybutterflyy on Instagram

@swetha_narayanan on Instagram

The pink ethereal skies during dusk, Etching a mural in the welkin, Little yellow dandelions swaying, To symphonies of the soft breeze; The distant dimly lit lighthouse, Flaunting its colour of enchantment; Vivid green grass – wet and scanty, Redolent of musty smell of petrichor; Dry lands – quenching their thirst, Devouring the heavenly dribble; The placid, bottomless waters, Creating a moment of tranquiliity; Nature blending its vibrant hues, Giving birth to a mystic paradise!

Image by Amy Tam @unnamedwonder on Instagram

Soundcloud/ Spotify: Lupe Cรกmara

Instagram: @_littlelupe

Some times I wonder if we will be alright If the earth will someday love us back How the bird flies far away from us How the moon blesses us with her light

Suddenly quiet was around Dancing flames made me realize You were the only thing I wanted on my mind I cannot be the one who cries tonight

Listen to the sound of the woods Feel the heartbeat of your soul Find the missing piece without a clue Breathe with lungs as good as new

Water running down the stream Leaves tinted peaceful green Words reflected in the clouds Expressions yet to be found

Leave out the sadness in your heart Give me a sign, don't be shy Hiding behind the old tree Just how you did as a kid

Listen to the sound of the woods Feel the heartbeat of your soul Find the missing piece without a clue Breathe with lungs as good as new

Image by Amy Tam @unnamedwonder on Instagram

Fallen I’ve been hiding from the monster under my bed I’ve been scared of the creatures inside my head I’ve been overthinking everything that I have said

I’ve been longing for someone to lean on I’ve been waiting for this longing to be gone I’ve been scared

I’ve fallen too far That I can’t wake up from this Dream that I am lost When really I am safe at home With my parents and my dog So why do I feel like, why do I feel like I cannot go on

Sometimes I get so caught up in All the small and irrelevant little things That keep me up at night Social Media: I need to retrain my brain

@_unheard_notes_ on Instagram

To focus on flowers and the rain

Unheard Notes on YouTube

And the stars above my head

I’ve fallen too far That I can’t wake up from this Dream that I am lost When really I am safe at home With my parents and my dog So why do I feel like, why do I feel like I cannot go on

I know that there’s still a light above I think I just need to give myself a little love Because I am enough.

by Sara Legler @sara_.__photography on Instagram

Once upon a playlist Howl's Moving Castle - Merry Go Round Of Life - Main Theme

0:00

2:37

This music is the theme for Studio Ghibli's film Howl's Moving Castle. It made a twist on the Merry-Go-Round theme we normally hear at theme parks, and turned it into a beautiful tune representing life's never-ending cycle of events.

Daydreamer - AURORA

0:00 "I

3:39

know I'm just a girl, but can I change lives?"

Our lives are often consumed by

business, giving us no time to dream and do the things we love. This song talks about how we should take actions on our dream. It fits perfectly with our theme, and is the perfect song to start your day with positivity.

Once Upon A Dream - Lana Del Rey

0:00

3:20

I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream."

"

From the song title, we

already know this song is a must-have for this playlist. It is a song for the Disney movie Maleficent, or originally Sleeping Beauty. It was sang by Princess Aurora when she first met Prince Philip. This song gives off a dark, dreamy fairytale atmosphere.

I'd Like To Around In Your Mind - Vashti Bunyan

0:00

'd like to walk around in your mind someday."

"I

2:15 This song talks about how the

singer wants to get inside someone's mind, take away their sadness, and make them smile with happiness.

Scan to listen to the playlist (with more songs)

ONCE UPON A DREAM Dreamlism Zine Issue 01 (Spetember)