Crazy Arms Clothing recently had the pleasure of hosting a talented group of interns from the University of Delaware’s Fashion School. Throughout January, they worked alongside us on some exciting new marketing and product design projects. Those specific initiatives are strictly under wraps for now (watch this space! 🤫)

It was fascinating to sit down with a group of American 20-somethings and hear their unfiltered take on life in Sydney. The city certainly put on a show for them. Sydney was at its idiosyncratic best this January, throwing everything at us from wild storms and heatwaves to shark attacks—not to mention the spectacle of thousands of miserable Englishmen dressed in pink for the final Ashes Test Match.

Despite the chaotic weather and the colourful sports fans, the most consistent feedback we received was about the warmth of the people. Riley noted that strangers here are "quick to start conversations, help out, or just be kind," which made it easy for the group to feel comfortable. Molly felt that her time here showed her "how beautifully a country can function with its citizens' best interests at heart", a sentiment echoed by Libby, who highlighted the "kindness and trust" of the locals. She mentioned feeling "a lot safer here, especially for a city" compared to her experiences back home.

This sense of respect extended to the physical environment as well. Sydney was amazed by "how clean water was at both the beaches and harbors" and observed that locals are "more environmentally conscious"—even if we do complain about the paper straws!. Ella pointed out a fascinating contradiction: she was surprised by the "lack of trash cans around, but also the lack of trash and litter," suggesting a culture where people hold on to their rubbish rather than dropping it.

Beyond the beaches, the students were fascinated by our high levels of civic trust and the focus on wellness. Bridget loved the "trust in the citizens" on the light rail, where riders tap on and off without turnstiles, and found the visible "respect that the people have for the indigenous population" to be refreshing. Meanwhile, Riley observed a "huge fitness and wellness culture" where being active feels like a "normal part of daily life", and Jael enjoyed the vibe of seeing "dogs out and about" everywhere, noting that the food here is "healthier (and tastes that way too)".

It was a joy to host this group. Their observations reminded us not to take our beautiful, sometimes chaotic, backyard for granted. Stay tuned for the reveal of the work they created with us! ☀️

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