Slowing Down with Rachel Schwartzmann: Insights on Time, Style, and Creativity

Rachel Schwartzmann is a longtime Whimsy + Row supporter, and the author of Slowing and the writer of Slow Stories—a multimedia project that explores time, creativity, and pace. She also writes about books, creativity, design, and fashion, and her essays and interviews have appeared in BOMB Magazine, Coveteur, Literary Hub, TOAST Magazine, and elsewhere︎︎︎. Rachel has been featured in esteemed outlets, including ELLE, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, The Creative Independent, and more. She writes, consults, and creates content for various publications and brands︎︎︎ and is working on her next book.

Rachel Schwartzmann's approach to creativity and her deep exploration of time and pace truly resonate with us at Whimsy — there are so many connections between slow living and slow fashion. We resonate with her journey from Tumblr to print. We’re excited to share insights from our conversation with her and hope you find as much inspiration in it as we did.

Now, let's dive in!

For those who aren’t familiar with your work, can you describe your book Slowing in a few sentences? What can readers expect when they pick it up?

Slowing is a collection of personal essays, interviews, and prompts about time, pace, and creativity. The book's origins stem from my project, Slow Stories, and my experiences navigating an age that prized productivity, speed, and external validation. Combining evocative—and slow—storytelling, guided prompts, and inspiring design, readers can expect a distinct lens on time and attention.

Slowing includes contributions from many incredible people, like Jezz Chung, Lyn Slater, and Leah Thomas. How did you connect with these contributors, and what was it like collaborating with them?

Interviewing and championing the work of creatives has been a through-line in my professional endeavors—so I always knew my first work of nonfiction would include other voices. When discussing themes like time and pace, it felt important to offer a variety of perspectives. I’m honored that each participant was so generous with their attention and responses.

As we start this new year, many people are reflecting on their personal and professional lives. What are some key lessons from your journey that you think would help others live more intentionally in 2025?

Living intentionally looks and feels different for everyone, but one of the most important things someone can do is pay attention to and honor the little things. Many of us were conditioned for so long to value the big moments when, in fact, it’s the small, ordinary details that make up the most memorable chapters of our stories.

In a culture that often prizes speed and productivity, how do you actively carve out time for yourself to reflect, recharge, and create at your own pace?

This changes depending on the day, but I’ve found that embracing the seasons has really helped me prioritize making space for reflection and creativity. I’m writing to you in the thick of winter, and I love going on golden hour walks during this time of year— the light and shadows are so distinct, and while it can get (really) cold, this season is truly a feast for the senses. I also make it a point to read a little every night before bed, which is something I always look forward to, no matter the season.

You’re based in Brooklyn, New York (we love your cozy home content!), but you also seem to travel a lot. What city inspires you fashion-wise, and which city do you feel most aligned with in terms of style?

That’s a great question. People have told me my style is reminiscent of London, Copenhagen, and Tokyo (I’m hoping to visit the latter two cities soon!), but I think I’m just inspired by city street style in general. I tend to have a romantic lean to my personal style, and I always get inspired by how others marry fashion and function in these dynamic environments.

How does your approach to fashion align with your commitment to slow living? Are there particular pieces or brands that help you embody this mindset?

Style and storytelling have always gone hand in hand for me (I even write about it in the book!). As I mentioned earlier, Slowing stems from a period of professional discovery: After nearly a decade of running a style Tumblr-turned-content business—which featured tastemakers and businesses who championed slow fashion, living, and food—I realized how much I wanted to explore this through the lens of storytelling, especially in our digital age. This ultimately led to the inception of Slow Stories, returning to my writing practice, and publishing Slowing., So, without that former business, it probably wouldn’t have taken me much longer to make the necessary changes to my relationship with time and pace.

In terms of any pieces and brands that help me embody these values, I’ll always have a soft spot for independent brands—like Whimsy + Row!—committed to quality over quantity and designing things that genuinely have longevity.

Big thanks to Rachel for taking the time to chat with us!

Follow her on instagram here. Order your copy of Slowing here.