Our Founder's letter to her younger self

As Girl and the Sun’s birthday month comes to an end, Founder and Creative Director Zoi Vafias shares a heartfelt letter addressed to her 18-year-old self.

Dear Zoi, 

You know that fire in your belly that gives you the confidence to go out every day and be the brave and positive person you are? Don’t ever lose that spark, it will be your strength and it will get you through so much. You are still a spring chicken right now, but there is A LOT in store for you over the next 18 years, so keep your head up high and hold on tight, I believe in you. 

You find the love of your life much sooner than you thought you would, any day now actually, and he becomes your husband not long after you travel the world together. He is your rock, and the one you can always rely on; he adores you and supports your dreams and brings you back down to earth when your crazy ideas are wilder than wild. You two make a great team, and just after your 30^th birthday you create your first baby together, and then go on to have three beautiful and incredible children under three and a half years old! It’s a wild ride and the most challenging thing you will ever have to do, but also by far the most rewarding. You are a great mum, and you thrive on the organisation it requires to be a full-time mum alongside running your own fashion brand… Oh did I mention your career leads you into fashion, and not the globe-trotting super spy you thought you are destined to become?! Sorry babe, maybe in another life.

You launch your first business at age 19 in fashion wholesale on a whim, and it is to be the start of your journey as an entrepreneur. Many people don’t believe you can make it work, and that you are too young and have no experience, so what would you know? To be honest, they aren’t entirely wrong. You don’t really have much experience yet, but what they don’t realise is that you have that fire in your belly that keeps you going and gives you the courage and strength of a hundred lions. There will be times when you want to give up, but no matter how much you feel it is too hard, you can’t help yourself: giving up just isn’t in your DNA. Your perseverance is inspiring, and you push through all obstacles. Not without injury however, you will encounter some health setbacks, but they are not what define you. You accept the cards you have been dealt and again you persevere like you always do.

What seems like many forks in the road will turn into great opportunities and you will always find your feet. A piece of advice though, you are only human, so do not think you are invincible. Be kind to yourself and remember to take some time out to recharge – your mind and body will be so grateful.

Your curiosity is really drawn to learning about people and hearing about their stories and their journeys. This leads you to meeting some interesting and incredible people along the way. Some for a short amount of time, and others whom you are fortunate enough to form long lasting friendships with. These people are blessings in your life and will become people that you lean on for advice.

There are many lessons you learn in business and in life and some things you may wish you had done differently or had turned out differently of course. But deep down you will be grateful for all the highs, and in time you will be even more grateful for all of the lows. Through adversity and challenging situations is the only way we grow and evolve, and you must never forget that. Everything that will happen to you will shape you and help you grow into the woman you will become. So, hold on tight and enjoy the ride, God has a lot in store for you.

From your future self xo