Well, I got into fashion before I knew what fashion was.
I was actually about five years old, and I used to tie trash bags around dials to make
creations.
Fast forward about 20-something years, I went to the Art Institute of Philadelphia for fashion
design and learned that I didn't want to be a seamstress.
I wanted to put the things together, so I left fashion school and started working on
Walnut Street.
While I was on Walnut Street working, I got many opportunities.
I interned with Philadelphia Style Magazine, 215 Magazine, and then I got the opportunity
to meet Elizabeth Wellington, the fashion director for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and
that changed everything because it was a legit position working in clothes, working in imagery,
and it gave me everything that I ever dreamed of.
I was able to be this creative person.
I definitely believe that in this world that's pulling us in all type of directions, I feel
like fashion is one of the only things that you can really own yourself and give to the
world.
I think that once you find that confidence within yourself to walk out of the house with
what you want to wear and let people know what you want to give off, I think that that's
a powerful thing.
I go by Roman Warrior style, so I kind of feel like I want you to be ready for the world
to take on anything, and you're like this warrior that can conquer any and everything
that you possibly want to.
I feel like fashion to me was an evolution, so I want to give that to other people because
we're a evolving species.
It's a lot more than just fashion to me because fashion can be kind of one-sided.
I think that fashion is an art and a fashion is a way of life, and I believe that fashion
is more than just a designer name or anything.
I think that my biggest advice to give anybody that's going into the fashion industry is
that you're probably going to have to be very, very flexible.
This is one of those industries that's up and down and out.
Things have trends, and people have trends, so it's important for you to do something
that really stands out and really true to your heart and know exactly why you got into
this.
It's going to be many times that you're going to be discouraged.
You probably are going to want to quit this industry a billion times, but when you know
that you love something and you're innately meant to do something, I think that that'll
shine through, and I think that it'll come back to you even if you go away from it.
I think that many people leave the industry and come back many times, but what I've learned
is that when something is in you and you love something or something is so much a part of
your character, you can't fight it.
I think that fashion is one of those things that if you appreciated enough, you would
do something for free, and by you doing that, 100% make money off of it.
Have a good one, guys, and good luck.
