Growing up in a cookie-cutter suburb of Chicago, fashion has always been my means for self expression. Flooded in a sea of yoga pants and vests, I sprung for plaid, lace and velvet. I found beauty in the overlooked. Unapologetic ensembles from vintage tees and chunky heels. Regardless of where I went, people knew who I was. More importantly, I never lost sight of myself either.
When I was about 12 years old, I, like many other young girls, did not like how I looked. My face always seemed to resemble an avocado’s round shape and my hips as wide as the Nile. I struggled with myself for many years, simply because I was not society’s picture of beauty. Due to my lack of self-confidence, I turned to fashion to fill what I thought was missing from my appearance: easeful magnetism. I sought to accomplish this through every pair of ripped jeans, leather boot and airy top.
Through cultivating my wardrobe and setting off to California for art school, I soon realized that I did not need to be everyone else’s idea of beautiful, I just needed to be my own. I still carry this knowledge with me every day. As I try to tackle my new home here in Boston, apply for internships and juggle coursework, I still remain confident in who I am. However, I am even more confident in how I got here.
I am still malleable. I am born anew every morning. Striving to grow, I continue to tweak my aesthetic, changing every day. While I favor billowing pants and bralettes today, I am no stranger to the same leather jacket I acquired years back. People tend to continuously grow, creating new chapters in their life everyday, but that should not mean we close the book holding our past. I am only able to better myself, my work ethic and wardrobe everyday because I remember the struggles I faced yesterday. I found myself through clothing and I hope to inspire you to find yourself too.
