A candid and inspiring Interview with Chi San
from fashion to birth-work and all the healing, learning and unlearning in-between
Thank you to Chi for her honesty and authenticity and a deep respect for all those who offer their skills and support through birthwork. We love these photos of Chi in her Ecru Pico set and getting an insight into Chi’s inspirations and world.
Can you tell us a bit about your work and current practice? How did you get here?
Up until recently I have been in the season of mothering. I am slowly coming out of that and into the world of birthwork, which I have deep-dived into, and am forever learning and unlearning about, since I became pregnant with my first, Marloe, in 2015. My journey here was via a long career in fashion, as a stylist, then art director, working in many different mediums and with many different brands, big and small. There was a hiatus in 2013, when I co-founded a raw, organic almond milk company, crowdfunded £150k within an afternoon, and created a cookbook. Many lifelong friends were made and lessons learned.
After Marloe was born, I continued working as an art director, whilst learning and practising different modes of healing and expansion, including reiki, EFT, breathwork, meditation, acupuncture, herbalism, psychosynthesis therapy, human design and birthkeeper work. It was actually the simultaneous reparenting of myself and parenting of my eldest that led me to strongly believe that how we come into this world affects us for the rest of our lives and, on a cellular level, the generations after. I don’t mean this lightly when I say that
“ I think birthwork can change the world. ”
I think birthwork can change the world. For years I would support close friends, and friends of friends, through preconception, pregnancy, birth and postpartum. It wasn’t until 2019 I decided to train as a doula so I could further support those who need it. Last year I trained as a volunteer doula to help those local to me who are marginalised, vulnerable and who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford a doula. I believe all those journeying through matrescence (and, inevitably, the losses) should be held in reverence and celebrated, and this is my work and creative practice.
2. We would love to hear more about the things that feed your soul in life and ignite your curiosity and passions?
Honestly, I just follow my gut. I am a naturally curious Gemini Sun and Rising, with a
Capricorn Moon. One day, something will light me up, the next week I’ve lost
interest. Growing up I was socially conditioned into thinking that this was super
flakey of me. After diving into human design whilst breastfeeding Marloe in the
night I realised that, being a Manifesting Generator, if I am ignited by something I
will run with it and not lose momentum. If something is draining my energy, it
usually means it’s not aligned with my values. So, in the past, I may have said yes to
things that everyone would think were amazing opportunities or financially
rewarding but, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t be happy and it would make me feel
heavy. I try my best to run with things that light me up, and practice having clear
boundaries.
Saying all that, what feeds my soul in life and ignites my curiosity and
my passions everyday are my girls, my partner and my fellow humans. They are
intrinsically linked to my innate desire for unlearning, unschooling, connectedness,
community, radical rest, and of course, slow parenting.
3. Are there any brands, makers or designers that really inspire you or you would like to celebrate here?
So many, but in my head at the moment—
Pico (obviously)
Lemaire
Rejina Pyo
Wright & Doyle
Xenia Telunts
Maryam Nassir Zadeh
What helps ground you?
— Sleep. We co-slept with the girls, so sleep is a precious commodity, we are still catching up! Though the girls now sleep together, Maggie still wakes in the night and comes to find us for a cuddle more often than not.
— Breathwork and meditation. Even when it’s just a stolen 10-15mins, it helps ground me greatly.
— Movement. I barely have time to exercise, but I do try and get out in nature a lot for a power walk. I have been used to walking a lot in London and Berlin, but now we are currently in Sheffield, we have to use the car a lot to get to places, so I have to remember to move my body. If I don’t manage a walk, a dance party with the girls is always a good way to shake it all out.
— Nourishing food and drink. This is one I often let slide being back in the UK and not being in our own space. When I take care of my own body and mind, filling it with food and drink that nourish both, I can take care of others around me better.
— Community. Just beginning to find my feet again in community and it feels like a deep hug for the soul.
@chisanwan
@softer_studio