Wow. Deep sighs of gratitude and release.
I’ve written this letter over and over again.
Trying to find the words that condense timelines into digestible timestamps.
So much life has happened since this idea of having a shop seeded back in 2010. The journey to get here has been challenging and affirming and I’m just really proud of myself for seeing this through. Deeply grateful for the beings and entities who’ve nourished and guided me along the way.
Opening this shop is healing and releasing a part of me that has been needing to be set free. I used to believe that 2006 was the best year of my life cause that was the last time I had a sense of family. That was until I met my chosen pamilya. The ones who’ve held me thru some of the toughest shit of my life. What a joyful release this is to be able to celebrate all the experiences that broke me in ways that also freed me.
When my mom’s catering business ran into financial hardships we lost the house we grew up in and our family unit separated. Since then I would create stories in my head that if I were to put myself out there and failed, it would lead to the same experience. These false stories would evolve over time cause my ass would just kept adding to the plot.
At 39, I honestly feel like for the first time in my life I have landed in a place where I feel at home to plant roots in. So the thought that this new experience could potentially fracture if I took a chance on my artistry hardened me.
Life has shown me that when I choose the path that aligns to my energy a message would come thru if I listen soft enough.
When I was in the Philippines back in December, I caught Covid for the first time. After being pretty meticulous in wearing my mask and avoiding crowded spaces it ran up through my body uninvited like a thief in the night. During my quarantine my mom called to check in with me. Many conversations later she tells me that it’s time to “let go of that story.”
So long story long I’m celebrating the opening of this shop to honor the releasing of that part of my life story. Thank you for everything you taught me.
About Highly Human
Highly Human is the Queerative (Queer + Creative) design studio and wellness space of Willa Ace. Their introspective visuals and communal experiences invite us to reflect and explore the fullness of our human expressions.
About Vol. 9
Vol. 9 celebrates and honors the expansiveness of who we are. Each design is a wearable spell that affirms our existence beyond the binary, in the magical spaces where we embody the fullness of our humanness.
Shipping Details
Turtle Island (USA) shipping
Pre-orders: Ships in 4-5 weeks to accommodate the entire pre-order process, from production to shipping.
In-stock Items: Ships in 3-4 business days after order is confirmed.
International shipping
Unfortunately, we do not ship internationally at this time.
Salamat for your suporta,
Willa
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Celebrating all of you Willa ❤️💕❤️ Congrats bb
Willa !!!! Celebrating you and this launch. I love all my highly human shirts !!!!