I woke up today with a pit in my stomach. The real-time videos and images coming out of the LA area are devastating. It’s hard to fathom what family, friends, and strangers are enduring this morning, likely after a sleepless night.
My husband Sean grew up between the Palisades and Malibu, and is no stranger to fires. His mother Janet—our brand’s muse—had three houses burn down during her lifetime. Even now, I light up with joy when we stumble upon an old, rare never-before-seen photo from his childhood, shared by a cousin or friend. Photos back then weren’t digital, and for me, that loss feels especially cruel in fires like these. I suppose it’s one small consolation in today’s digital age.
Though no stranger to those fiery Santa Ana winds and wildfire seasons, this one is different. Watching his homeland reduced to rubble and hearing from friends who have lost everything overnight is harrowing. The phrase “This one is different” feels like a grim refrain we’ll sadly be hearing more and more as climate change continues to rage, too often falling on deaf ears.
Humans have always been at odds with Mother Nature. And yet, it’s still shocking when disaster strikes, especially in places that feel personal. Moments like this force you to reflect on what really matters and what you’d want to save if disaster struck. Sure, things are just things, but as a sentimental person, the thought of losing everything—like so many have—is heartbreaking. At the same time, disasters like this also make you painfully aware of what you still have.
I feel utterly useless right now, as I imagine many of you do, too. So what can we do? My friend Leslie—a brilliant writer who I still consider a New Yorker, even after she pulled a Didion and left for LA years ago—did what she does best: she wrote. Her piece in yesterday's Vogue about her family’s experience struck a chord with me, capturing how a normal day can suddenly turn into a nightmare, and happen to any of us.
At Lingua Franca, we’ll do what we always do: stitch. It’s not revolutionary, but our new “I ❤️ LA” sweaters will send 100% of proceeds to the LA Fire Department, who are working tirelessly to save what they can. Please, of course send what you can on your own too! Shop the rest of our California Love Collection here.
There’s one more thing we can all do: show up for each other. Help a neighbor clear their sidewalk. Strike up a conversation with your barista. Sometimes, the communities we build are all we have left standing after the storm. Let’s work to strengthen them, in small ways, every day. Sending my love to everyone in LA. And sending my gratitude to this community, one I’m proud to show up for every single day.
Xo, Rachelle