At Suzi Roher we are expressive by nature. We regularly share our passions, opinions and observances through our work and words. Our scarves are especially autobiographical -mimicking our recent travel experiences, newest muses, and our freshest feelings about the evolving and often ironic world around us.
When it came to designing the fall 2015 scarf, Beyond Measure, we chose to tell someone else’s anecdote. That of Jayne Pope; an inspirational leader, role model, philanthropist and fashion plate.
It all began at 5:00 pm one Friday evening… The Suzi Roher Studio received a call from Rene Borrowman, the owner of Morgan’s House of Fashion boutique located in Chatham, Ontario. Rene revealed that she had been contacted by Emily Padula, Hill Country Memorial’s chief strategy officer and colleague of her friend and loyal customer, Jayne Pope. The reason for her call was to share that Jayne had led the Texas hospital to receive the esteemed Malcolm Baldrige Award. This was an honor she was to accept from the U.S. Department of Commerce and President Barack Obama in April.
Morgan’s House of Fashion
Emily knew Jayne was an avid fan of Morgan’s boutique, and furthermore, about her love of Suzi Roher belts and scarves. She had reached out to Rene to ask if she could arrange for Suzi to design a scarf made especially for Jayne as a gift from the hospital -thanking her for leading them to win this coveted award. It was Friday before the mill in Italy would be printing the Fall Suzi Roher scarf samples, and with some quick moves, this wonderful wish could certainly be granted.
Suzi listened intently as Rene talked about Jayne and her wonderful power to encourage, inspire and triumph. She sent Suzi a movie of Jayne leading her group up mountain, Enchanted Rock, an extraordinary team and confidence building exercise in which she felt it imperative her group partake. They talked about Jayne’s interest in the teachings of Marianne Williamson, and her unwavering can-do attitude.
The conversation came to a close and an incredibly motivated Suzi Roher went to town… researching, devising, playing with color… and then there was that electrifying quote from Marianne Williamson’s book, Return To Love.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Suzi finished the scarf over the weekend and sent it to the mill to be made on Monday morning with the others. When it was ready, the hospital presented Jayne with her custom self-inspired Suzi Roher scarf. From what we hear it was a touching and emotional moment for all.
Jayne Giving her Acceptance Speech
In April of this year Jayne wore her Beyond Measure scarf to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award on behalf of Hill Country Memorial Hospital.
"One of the greatest parts of this endeavor is that we are not a custom shop... we do what we do best- so we stick to our ideas and motivations", explains Suzi. "But all of the passion, and determination of this story is everything we stand for, and when this opportunity came to us, we knew we had to be a part of it."
Suzi was so moved by the whole experience that she put the piece into production. It has since become A Fall 2015 best seller.
Jayne wearing her Beyond Measure Suzi Roher Scarf
We want to thank all the thoughtful, motivated, talented and inspiring people who came into our world as a result of this experience. It has been rewarding Beyond Measure.
For more on Jayne Pope’s excellent speech and epic climb, please click here.
http://hillcountrymemorial.org/page/about-hcm/hcm-awarded-malcolm-baldrige-award-2014/
