When I first began shaping Mina Essence, I knew it would never be just about fashion. Clothing has always been one way I express creativity, but behind every collection lies something deeper, the lifestyle and rhythm that carry me through each day.
For me, wellness is not a separate part of life. It is the foundation that allows creativity to flow. The meals I choose, the way I move my body, how I rest, and the rituals I keep are the unseen threads that weave strength and softness into the fabric of my creativity.
This week, I joined an Online Alkaline Diet program with Tugba Gurkok, @tugbagurkok with the intention of bringing more balance into my body. For the past months, I have been practicing cycle-based nutrition, aligning what I eat with each phase of my menstrual cycle. Alongside this, I have kept a rhythm of daily movement, such as pilates at home, beach walks, yoga, dancing, sauna, and the slow island rhythm. The results are not only physical, they ripple into my energy, my focus, and the clarity with which I create.
Wellness is more than exercise or food alone. It is an embodied way of living, a balance between body, mind, and spirit. It is the quiet confidence that comes from feeling at home in yourself. It is the joy of moving freely, the grounding of nourishing meals, the calm of emotional balance. From this place, I am able to design, direct, and share with others.
Mina Essence was born from this truth: that beauty and creativity flourish when rooted in wellness. Fashion for me is inseparable from lifestyle. Each piece I create is touched by the energy of my daily practices, whether it is a morning walk by the sea, a moment of dancing, or a nourishing meal prepared with love.
As I move through this 21 day program, I will be shifting from expansion into cultivation. These practices are not about restriction, they are about alignment, returning to the essence of balance and allowing life to be designed from within.
Here’s to living not just beautifully, but well.
Images for this blog post were taken at Sanctuary Wellness Resort, Thailand. I am wearing the Anna Linen Kimono, combined with the Allure Linen Wrap Skirt. 
