A Year of Snzysock: Reflections, Challenges and Hope

Today marks one year since I registered the brand SNZYSOCK. Looking back, I’m filled with a mix of emotions—pride, gratitude, and, at times, a sense of helplessness. Building a brand is like laying a small foundation for the future, and while I’ve made progress, I often find myself questioning: What have I truly accomplished beyond designing and waiting for factory samples?  

There have been moments when I felt overwhelmed by the weight of it all, moments when I succumbed to the temptation to “lie flat” and let life carry me along. But deep down, I know that creating something meaningful is never easy. It requires patience, resilience, and an unwavering belief in your vision.  

A New Beginning in March

As the new year began, I decided to take a step back and reassess my goals. After the Spring Festival, I returned to my creative process with renewed energy. I started drafting new designs, drawing inspiration from my favorite places—museums, bookstores, and the natural world.  

Two books, in particular, have been my recent muses:  

• Flower of The Amazon Forest: This book chronicles the journey of a British woman  Margaret Mee who ventured into tropical rainforests, documenting the lives of exotic plants. Her passion for discovery resonated deeply with me.  
• The Complete Partten Dictionary: A treasure trove of patterns and motifs that never fail to spark my creativity. 

These books reminded me of why I started SNZYSOCK—to celebrate the beauty of nature and share it with the world.  

The Disappearing Beauty of Nature

Like many of you, I have a deep love for plants and animals. But these wonders of nature are becoming harder to find. Museums, zoos, and books are often the only places where we can encounter them.  

Did you know that, on average, five species go extinct every year? By the time the next generation is born, traveling the world to see these unique creatures might become an impossible dream.  

This thought haunted me. What can I do to make sure these precious beings are not forgotten?

This question led me to my latest design—a pair of socks inspired by the Lady’s Slipper Orchid, a rare and endangered flower. Its unique beauty has made it a target for overharvesting, and its survival is now threatened by habitat destruction.  

I wanted to capture the essence of this disappearing beauty in my design, hoping to raise awareness about the importance of conservation. But bringing this vision to life was no easy task. 

The Challenges of Creation

From March onwards, I spent countless hours searching for the right factory, testing materials, and refining samples. Each round of sampling took weeks, sometimes months, and the factories often struggled to replicate my designs accurately. Delays were frequent, and the waiting felt endless.  

But I held onto the belief that good things take time.  

Finally, in late May, a new factory delivered a sample that was 98% true to my design. Seeing my vision come to life was a moment of pure joy.  

(from left to right: Plains zebra, Pangolin, African elephant, Père David's Deer)

More Than Just Socks 

I’ve always believed that socks alone cannot tell the full story. That’s why I designed a special packaging and included a card that shares the story of the Lady’s Slipper Orchid. These are not just products—they are a voice for nature.  

The Lady’s Slipper Orchid is a symbol of resilience and beauty, but its survival is precarious. By wearing these socks, you’re not just making a fashion statement; you’re making a promise to protect the natural world.  

At SNZYSOCK, our mission is to combine art, sustainability, and storytelling in every pair of socks we create. Through our designs, we hope to inspire a deeper connection with nature and a commitment to conservation.  

Our Wild Hearts and Natural Heartbeat collections are more than just patterns—they are a celebration of the planet’s biodiversity and a call to action to protect it.  Looking Ahead

This year has taught me the value of perseverance and the power of small steps. Every design, every pair of socks, is a step toward a better future.  

I hope that through SNZYSOCK, we can all find a way to appreciate the beauty of nature, protect it, and ensure that it thrives for generations to come.  

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time.