The Chaos Behind the Cozy: How the First Collection Began
When I started Autumn Monsoon, I didn’t have a business plan, a warehouse, or a marketing team. What I had was caffeine, sarcasm, and a notebook (well, technically a Google Doc) full of sayings that made me laugh during meetings that absolutely could’ve been emails.
The Return to Office Collection came from that exact space — the mix of burnout and humor that defines so many of us who’ve lived through “mandatory fun” events and endless Zoom calls. Everywhere I looked, people were being told to “reconnect with company culture” or “embrace in-person collaboration.” No one was saying what most of us were really thinking: I don’t love my job — I love the life I’m trying to build outside of it.
So, I started designing — digitally, late at night, surrounded by open design tabs, half-finished coffee mugs, and the kind of silence that feels both comforting and full of possibility. My workspace wasn’t full of fabric or flannels; it was full of layers, fonts, and ideas that made me laugh out loud. I wanted to create something that felt real: cozy but honest, comforting but self-aware — a little wink to everyone just trying to keep it together.
When the first sample orders arrived, it finally hit me. This little idea I’d dreamed about — this mix of humor, comfort, and cozy rebellion — had become something tangible. Holding that first shirt and mug was surreal. It wasn’t about inventory or sales; it was about proof that creativity and honesty still have a place in the world.
And though my cat Monsoon isn’t here physically, he’s absolutely part of this brand’s heartbeat. He was full of attitude and warmth — a little dramatic, endlessly loyal, and always stealing the spotlight. His spirit lives in everything I make: bold, mischievous, and unapologetically himself.
Autumn Monsoon was never meant to be perfect — it’s meant to feel lived in. It’s about the contradictions we all carry: craving calm while living in chaos, loving creativity but resenting the grind, romanticizing the fall season while juggling deadlines. The Return to Office line was just the beginning — a love letter to everyone who shows up, keeps going, and still manages to find humor (and maybe a little magic) along the way.
If that sounds like you — welcome. You belong here.
— Lisa from Autumn Monsoon 🍂