Why did you choose fashion designing as a career?
I chose fashion design as a career because it’s the only thing that brought me happiness. I love creating and I love helping people. Fashion design allows me to do both.
What is your favorite part of being a fashion designer?
My favorite part about being a fashion designer is being able to help women look and feel their best by creating clothing just for them. It isn’t just about the clothes for me. When I see the reactions of my clients when they see how beautiful they look in something that I made them, is priceless!
The designs you created are no doubt good enough, but who and which things were your inspiration?
Surprisingly, my 8 year old is my main inspiration. She inspires & motivates me to be the best version of myself everyday.
I get my design inspiration from everything around me. It literally can be anything from seeing a beautiful color, being out in nature or seeing another designer’s design and recreating it but with my own spin on it.
Define fashion.
Fashion is showing the world who you are without having to speak!
Tell us about your first internship period.
My first internship was through my professor at my University. She was the publicist and event planner for a fashion show that was happening in D.C. It was amazing! I have never had my own fashion show or been apart of one behind the scenes. My duties were helping to set things up and assist the fashion designers with dressing the models. I got to see first hand, exactly what I would go through as a designer to put on a fashion show. Which is A LOT of work but worth it.
What skills are necessary for a successful fashion designer?
The necessary skills to be a successful fashion designer is obviously knowing how to sew or at least the basic knowledge of how to construct a garment. Learning to predict fashion trends. Have thick skin and learn to take constructive criticism.
How do you stay up to date regarding fashion?
I follow a lot of fashion related people and companies on social media and I also like to read/look through fashion magazines. A great way of staying up to date is seeing what’s on the runways from other designers. Especially the big fashion houses because they actually pay companies to predict future fashion trends.
Where do you see yourself in the next 8-10 years?
In the next 8-10 years, I see myself married with my own fashion house in Baltimore or D.C. I see me working with high profile clients like politicians and celebrities!
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is Afrocentric and chic. I love bold patterns and colors but I also like to look polished and well put together.
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
Social media plays a major role in fashion today. Everyone is on social media and it is the perfect marketing tool for designers and businesses. If a celebrity or influencer posts a picture wearing your designs, it tends to open up doors for you. It’s the best marketing that has helped me as an emerging designer.
How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?
I want women to feel comfortable, confident, bold & most importantly beautiful! When you look good on the outside you feel good on the inside and vice versa.
What did you wear to your first job interview?
To be honest, I do not remember what I wore to my first interview. It has been so long ago.
When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
I realized I wanted to pursue a career as a fashion designer when I would be at my regular job thinking about all the things I could be doing at the moment for my business if I was doing fashion full time. I would literally dread going into my regular job every morning and that drove me to depression.
What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
My biggest fear was worrying about if people would love the things that I put out. There’s a certain vulnerability that comes with sharing my creations with the world. I’m very guarded so I always kind of doubt myself when I make something but the positive responses that I get from people definitely lets me know that I need to be a bit more confident in my craft.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
If I could go back and tell myself one thing before beginning my career, I would tell myself to not let my own fears keep me from stepping out of my comfort zone and step into my destiny. And that hard work and faith trumps talent alone.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
One thing most people don’t know about me is that I battle depression. I know society is getting better at learning about depression but when I share that information about myself, people don’t believe it because I’m always joking around or smiling. There’s this misconception of how you should look if you are battling depression. It isn’t something that I share freely but when I do share that I battle depression I often learn that many people do as well. However, I also learned that a lot of people that look like me don’t take the necessary steps to healing because they do not trust anyone. One day, I want to be able to help educate and help people to be comfortable enough to get help but in my own artistic way, of course! I just haven’t figured out how yet.