Thank you Hilfiger for this time, "freedom" seem to be found elsewhere
This is where I sit before the beautiful skyline, in the afternoons when sun’s getting lower, when it’s acceptable to be outdoors again. After five fifteen that is.
While Alex been busy repairing the teak in the cockpit, I've also managed to do some real good progress on my side.
Three blog posts up yesterday and several longer texts started for later this week. I’ve edited a bunch of photos for the book which I am in the process of producing. I’ve replied many emails and some requests. Organized for our next destination and for the following few weeks. And I’ve also informed the communication director at Estée Lauder (EL is the owner of Tommy Hilfiger fragrances) that we are no longer interested in delivering material for the Tommy Hilfiger freedom tour collaboration that was supposed to run two more months in Panama and the beautiful San Blas islands (the contract was officially over a month ago anyway).
A fairly productive day all in all.
And why is that, you might wonder. Well since they've failed in living up to what we had agreed on, on each of the four occasions we’ve delivered material so far. It kind of reached the limit of absurdness. In the end it became a standing joke here on the boat “will she/they really take another opportunity to violate the terms and go against the only little thing that we had specifically asked for?” and yes, they did. Every time!
Incredibly amusing. Without apologies, only an “I’m sorry you feel this way”- email sent through her assistant. I have yet to figure this one out, why would anyone want to fuck up their own projects for which they've used a considerable amount of someone else's money, time and had at least six of their full time employees involved for almost a year? What happened to integrity and common sense?
Oh well, it was fun as long as it lasted. At least Tommy Hilfiger seemed happy from the last report we received a few months back where it said, “The Freedom Couple posts on Facebook have engaged 500,000 people globally”.
I’m not surprised by the numbers, I think we did a real good job with those photos from different exotic locations. But not a thank you nor an apology from Estée Lauder’s part. Their attitude was more like: “Yea we might have done wrong and failed in living up to the agreement, but nothing we can do, sorry you feel this way”. And yet still they were hoping for us to continue promoting the fragrance in International press. Thanks, but no thanks.
And you ask why we choose to live on a boat. Seriously. We left the normal world behind to get rid of this type of sad and abusive behaviors and people, yet they seem to follow wherever you go. How far from civilization must one sail to find real peace of mind? It's quite funny thinking about it, the partnership was supposed to be called the freedom tour, yet these people did everything to limit our freedom, agreement wise I mean. Of course we have no further interest in such a one-sided collaboration.
Other than that, we are now planning for our continued tour. Seems as we might be moving off from the marina in the next few days. That’ll be fantastic to get out gliding on water again. Been in harbour for almost two months now but a great progress has been made on the boat. Definitely need to get out sailing soon!
I have regularly recommended your blog to friends and often in my description say 'I just love how honest they are'. You're not trying to portray some perfect lifestyle, you fill us in on costs, boat issues and so forth and that is why I feel readers can really enjoy and connect with the blog. This is a prime example of that honesty. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you but am glad you chose to leave something that wasn't making you happy or fulfilling its expectations - I am trying to stick with this philosophy to a T. x
It is how it is, and this shows even more how multimillion dollar businesses are only after more money, there's no soul or heart behind most of these companies. They try to cover it up in great personal collaborations like the one you were involved in, but it's all fake in the end. All there is for them is how to make more money and how to manipulate consumers to buy more of their cheap ugly crap.
I am glad you have a solid hold on what you and your blog is all about. I love that you are honest and that you don't allow yourself to be controlled by businesses. This is why I really appreciate your blog :) It's real and it's honest.
I look forward to reading more about your journey! You are inspiring.
Our links and tags were never where they were supposed to in time of new postings, despite earlier agreed, as well as constant reminding from my part. Our web address and links were also excluded in an interview we did with a Portuguese magazine and in their online version, that too despite the fact that I had gotten written confirmation that it would be there.
They had no intention helping us achieving what we wanted with the collaboration, only took what was good and convenient for them.
It's all very silly and also pretty common, but if you can't respect even such a silly little thing, then we are clearly not made to do business with each other. Mutual respect is crucial in any relationship.
I'm sorry the collaboration didn't work out the way you specified. Your lifestyle and making money while on the boat seems like a perfect combination...
Crap product anyway. Alex looked goofy posing in stuff he probably wouldn't wear even if given for free.
Find a better co. to work with, "cooler" product(s) more sports orientated, maybe sunglasses like Oakley or better still Varnet from France, make water sport and out on town styles. What about suntan and after sun products for you since you constantly in the sun etc.
I have been following your Blog for awhile and really enjoy it.Very entertaining and interesting.I must say that I admire you standing up to a group that will not live up to there agreements. Best wishes and safe travels!
That is really dare I say it pathetic i'm glad you stood your ground though , people really need to start treating others as they want to be treated , if only!
I have read the commend wer you said that you gave a interview for a Portuguese magazine. So here is the linkhttp://www.sabado.pt/Multimedia/FOTOS/Mundo/Fotogaleria-(763).aspx
In their web page they have put the link to your blog.
BTW: I really love the part with cooking recipe s and the story of Mr Göran.
I'm going to be as honest as Alex and Taru, because for me, both of them really looked very good in the featured clothes that they presented. Alex especially for the going ashore look as per tropical standard and his smart casual look was very successful I feel. Taru put some quality into some very impressive TH Bikinis, so ultimately the designer has lost out on what could have worked for Hilfiger. Pity he doesn't employ the staff to back up the product!!
Hi Luis, it's not that magazine. we were interviewed by another magazine, noticias i think its called. Several other Portuguese online magazines copied the interview and added our link afterwards which was kind, but it was in the original interview that the links were missing.
It is refreshing to see somebody stick to their integrity. I found the campaign interesting, not that I purchased any more Tommy Hilfiger gear than I would have otherwise, which is none. Nevertheless, both of you make beautiful models and role models for the "freedom" lifestyle.
Anyway, it's nice to see somebody have the guts to say that they aren't going to take crap or allow themselves to be walked on and then back that up with action.
Something quite similar has happened to me recently. Several instances back to back actually. It's really made me question why I'm working with the travel industry, because it has caused me so much stress. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that! :(
the link from the portugueses magazine that I have send to you ( World Tour Stories) is not only a online magazine. Taht magazine also has the printed version taht I normaly buy and I read your interview in the printed version.
I will try do find out that «noticias» magazine that you mencioned. If I find it and you want I can make a copy of it and send to you.