It was truly incredible. Over a hundred women gathered in a Parisian living room. There was no guest list, no complicated registration process, and no formal program—they simply came to meet one another, chat, and find kindred spirits. It was my first time attending such a gathering. The evening took place at the home and showroom of Heather Brand—designer and founder of the Shloaka brand. This September evening marked the sixteenth monthly gathering of the Women Together community in Paris. The initiative began in March 2025 as a response to a natural need for connection and new friendships. Every month, the organizers choose a new venue. Often, it’s a local business, a studio, or a private creative space. The gatherings are open to all women living in Paris. Participants come without an invitation or prior registration; they can stay for the entire evening or just drop by for a short while. I still get goosebumps thinking about such a supportive community.
The main activity here is conversation. The goal is to get to know one another, feel like part of the city, and leave with new contacts, ideas, and perhaps even friends.
For the rentrée gathering, Heather opened up her own home and the Shloaka showroom. The home setting created a special sense of intimacy.
On Instagram, Heather calls herself the “Adornment Shaman”—a shaman of adornment or a guide to the art of dressing. She views clothing as a way to express one’s character, inner strength, and individual identity.
Heather explains that for many years she searched for a wardrobe capable of expressing her inner roles: queen, priestess, keeper of wisdom, and traveler. From this search, Shloaka emerged—a collection of expressive pieces crafted from rare fabrics discovered during her travels.
In the brand’s philosophy, clothing takes on a ritual significance. It helps a person claim their place, feel their own presence, and allow themselves to stand out.
Heather speaks primarily to women who have felt a disconnect from traditional fashion for years. Tall stature, curvy figures, age, unconventional appearances, and individual style all become sources of expressiveness here.
In one of her publications, Heather articulates her mission as helping women reconnect with themselves through clothing. The moment when a person sees their own reflection in the mirror—free from the pressure of trends and others’ expectations—becomes Shloaka’s core value.
Shloaka describes itself as a brand of “sacred adornment.” This idea is expressed in the statement: “Adornment for divine beings, revealing their true light.”
The brand’s visual language is built on layering. Loose kimonos, embroidery, metal, intricate fabrics, large accessories, headpieces, and rich ornamentation come together to form a cohesive, almost ceremonial look.
On the Shloaka website, kimonos are presented as pieces based on hand-woven saris. The brand produces unique items and limited artisanal collections. Heather speaks of her search for precious fabrics in different parts of the world and her desire to preserve a sense of travel, craftsmanship, and cultural memory in the collection.
Shloaka’s messaging incorporates the concepts of “slow luxury,” “artisanal luxury,” and “fashion as ritual.” These definitions come together to form a coherent model: a piece is chosen for the sake of a long-lasting personal dialogue, an emotional connection, and the opportunity to create different looks.
Shloaka was featured at Bvlgari Resorts. The “Collection Viewing” section of the website also mentions the Bvlgari Resort Dubai and the Bvlgari Resort Bali. The visual environment of the resorts itself aligns with the character of Shloaka: ornamentation, travel, physicality, and a sense of ceremony.
The Women Together gathering could have taken place in a café, a gallery, or a studio. Heather’s home and showroom gave it an extra layer of meaning.
Shloaka speaks of self-expression. Women Together creates an environment where people have the opportunity to express themselves in front of others.
Shloaka offers vibrant pieces. The gathering provides a space where vibrancy is perceived as a natural way of communicating.
Shloaka appeals to women beyond rigid age and body standards. The community brings together women with diverse experiences, professions, cultures, and lengths of time living in Paris.
That evening, clothing served as a conversation starter. A striking look helped take the first step, ask a question, or approach a stranger. That’s how personal style became a social language.
After the event, Heather posted a Reel in which she admitted that, the next morning, she realized she’d missed the chance to share one of her key ideas with the guests.
Her idea sounds extremely simple: you create your own community.
According to Heather, this process begins with a willingness to stand out—to wear something that seems too bold, to show the most unusual version of yourself, to let those around you see your individuality.
People with a similar sense of inner freedom find one another through visible signs—through clothing, gestures, colors, jewelry, the way they speak, and their willingness to take up space. One person recognizes another—and that’s how a community gradually emerges.
This idea perfectly describes what happened at Heather’s house. More than a hundred women arrived there individually, and inside, countless new connections were formed. Some met acquaintances, some were attending such an event for the first time, and some came alone. What they all shared was a desire to reach out to others.
Contemporary fashion often discusses individuality, self-awareness, and diversity. Shloaka translates these concepts into an emotional experience.
Here, clothing serves several functions at once: it protects, reveals, adorns, and helps a person assert their presence, becoming a visual invitation to conversation.
This is precisely why Heather Brand’s story extends beyond a single collection. Her brand speaks to a person’s right to claim their space, choose how to express themselves, and create a circle of like-minded people around them.
The Women Together evening in Paris showcased this philosophy in action. The house became a public space. The showroom turned into a place for meeting new people. Clothing became part of the dialogue among women.
Perhaps this is the modern meaning of personal style: to make one’s inner world visible so that like-minded people can recognize you.