I often have people ask me where my interest in fashion came from. I guess the best place to start is from the beginning. When I was little, I was interested in living in a different country. It was my dream to be in Paris, and to explore Europe. It was just a dream, but my father really wanted me to see what the world had to offer outside of the US. On my 14th birthday, my dad handed me a ticket to Paris. I honestly felt like Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and my boarding pass was my golden ticket to paradise.
When we arrived in Paris, the first thing we did was go shopping. It wasn’t the price point that caught my eye, although all the prices started at $300, but the material. The quality was beautiful, and the detail was beyond anything I've ever witnessed. But it was really my first interaction with a model that set the tone.
As a child, I wasn't nervous to engage with new people, but this woman had an aura about her, and being curious about her occupation I approached her.
She was in Paris for vacation and previously did a photo shoot in Italy. I told her about all the beautiful clothes we saw and she said, “If you can’t buy the clothing at least twice, then don’t buy it. Create your own fashion!” To this day, I still live by that statement.
I never buy clothes that I can’t buy twice, I buy clothing based on interests and not based on status. Never allow yourself to be peer pressured to buy beyond your means.
When I grew up, I decided that I didn't want to live in Paris, but my trip inspired me to travel to different countries and learn about fashion trends based on culture. From Spain to Mexico, I've spent years learning about people and fashion from first-hand experiences. So I guess when you ask how I got into fashion, I will say it started as a child’s dream. Thanks Dad. Love you and mom always.
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