"Freedamn! Heads" Unite!
Dear Freedamn! Heads,
Aloha, friends! I have just finished making my latest book, My Freedamn! 8. Thanks to big support from my friends ("Freedamn Heads") worldwide, this new title has become the 10th publication of my self-publishing business since its start in 2003.
In the spring of 2003, My Freedamn! 1 was released by underground distribution. I loaned a big amount of money from a Japanese printing company named Ten Prints. That was the first "big gamble" of my life at the age of 33, but lots of fashion boutiques, vintage clothing stores and bookstores started supporting my small business challenge quickly. In the beginning, I never thought that my "world’s smallest publishing business" could survive for long in this "publishing downturn" era, but fortunately, I have persevered and have just started writing my next title, My Freedamn! 9. It will probably be published by next spring. I would like to say to all "Freedamn! Heads" out there: thanks again, folks!
Through running my self-publishing business for the past six or seven years, I have met so many nice people around the world. Photo sessions or business meetings with them have always been fantastic experiences for me. Also, I have wished to introduce them to my other friends someday. That is why I decided: "Now is the perfect time to hold a party for Freedamn! Heads."
As a vintage fashion enthusiast, I have a dream. Just like my favorite Texas Vintage Guitar Show at which worldwide vintage guitar collectors have been gathering in Dallas Texas every April since the early 1980s, I would like to build an annual charity & kulture recycling event starting in 2010, involving vintage clothing enthusiasts from all over the world!
The theme of the first year’s event is "Reset!" Yes, we need to "reset" the world with vintage freaks! As you know, the worldwide economy is still in close to crisis condition. Most economists may not think that it will be easy for the whole world to return to good economic conditions quickly. But I think that now is a great time for us to reset each other firstly, and you had better stop and think of yourself, your friends, your local communities, and international countries where your friends may live so far away! Such a "reset time" is now needed to make a "lifestyle upgrade" for your new future!
Escaping from your daily internet life and flying to sunny California is also another choice to reset your life. If you join in this event "Inspiration," you will probably meet lots of old or new friends! I believe collectors are already connecting worldwide in this Internet era. So this will be a great opportunity for vintage freaks to meet each other face to face at a very cool place, "Barker Hanger" in Santa Monica, California! Let’s have lots of good "international conversations" together!
OK, I am looking forward to receiving good vibrations from worldwide vintage fashion fans at the first annual event next February.
"Freedamn! Heads" Unite!
Mahalo,
Rin Tanaka
San Clemente, California
Summer 2009
