When I turned eight, I not only had a developed analysis on fashion, but I also wanted to pursue fashion as a business. I was a little entrepreneur; I started off by selling my denim bags to my peers. I recycled an old pair of jeans and turned them into handbags, garnishing and beautifying them with rhinestones, appliqués, gros-grain ribbon, and marker designs. That summer in day camp I earned around $250 selling bags. Even at that point in my life I kept an organized folder and spreadsheet that tracked how many bags I had made and sold, and to whom. A year later I started a custom tie-dye company. I tie-dyed anything that was white and in sight. My favorite things to tie-dye were my Mom’s and Dad’s nice white blouses. Every time they went out wearing them they would get compliments and questions like, “Since when did Ralph Lauren start a tie dye collection, I love it!” And the answer would always be, “Oh, my daughter…” And that’s where my next lucrative business began. When I was twelve, I took my first trip to Fortieth Street. Not just to view the fabric shops, but to buy the fabric for my bat-mitzvah dress. White silk chantung and pink tulle. I tie-dyed the chantung and went to a dressmaker with my design.
As a child I would constantly find that sketching, drawing, and painting were the most invigorating experiences. I was sucked into the art world. I had quite a few sketchbooks, and way too many watercolor sets. Recently, I progressed to the three dimensional aspect of the fashion world. I had a basic understanding of the sewing machine from when I was younger, but I have now learned to sew clothing. I can finally let my inventive and imaginative mind produce wearable art. I’m currently attending FIT and working in the garment center; I’m learning all about the industry.
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