I feel like you guys don’t know a lot about ME… or really, how I got here.
I mean, I have shared my blogging journey in a business sense… “here’s what I did, here’s what you should do, blah blah blah…” but I feel like there is a big part of that story I left out.
A period in my life that really formed who I am today & a person who taught me things you could never learn in any education.
Rewind to my post college years… I had just graduated from CSULB with a major in fashion merchandising & minor in textiles) & I was back at home, living with my Mom, feeling extremely lost. I wanted to work in fashion, but with my lack of experience… that wasn’t happening for me unless I wanted to be an intern.
SO- one day, I was at a fundraising event & this spicy tiny little woman came in the door, she owned the room & her energy was contagious. She was wearing bike shorts with combat boots & an oversized white tee. I was taking mental notes of her whole outfit so I could wear it too.
She was like a tiny tornado & on her way out, she literally flipped around & handed me her business card saying “I like your style, come by my shop. I am hiring if you’re looking”. I was ECSTATIC & couldn’t believe it.
I went in the next day around lunch, she was sitting at this huge rectangle sewing table in the middle of this racks & racks of beautiful silk dresses, making a dress… right in front of my eyes. I watched her finish it up, price it, & put it on the racks.
I could’ve fainted then & there. Would this be my new job? HOLY SHIT.
To say getting that job was a game changer in my life would be an understatement. I was living my dream. My tiny wonder of a boss showed me how to ACTUALLY sew. I had learned the basics in school, but could never get the hang of it the way the professors taught it. When she taught me- it just all made sense. She showed me how to properly hem pants, sew in zippers, cut on the bias, etc. etc.
Within a month of working there I was making the dopest Missoni crochet style flared pants w/ matching crop tops, cutting my own patterns, & selling it all in her store (so sad I don’t have any of my sets anymore! Maybe I will make some more for fun!).
She also introduced me to one of my current day favorite fashion/design trends- the art of REWORKING. She would go to AmVets, snag all of the vintage army jackets & take them back to the shop. She would cut them, sew them, dry clean them, & turn them into the most epic asymmetrical cult tailored jackets you have ever seen. She would rework oversized men t-shirts, & could even turn a silk robe into the most couture looking wrap dress you have ever seen.
It would BLOW my mind & ever since… I have always loved a good reworked fashion moment. Dude- she would have been obsessed w/ this cropped windbreaker situation like you wouldn’t believe.
It was during this time in my life that I really learned about who I was a person. I began to embrace my personal style, gained a shit ton of confidence in my abilities in the fashion world (thanks to my boss who encouraged me everyday!), & decided that no matter what I would work in the fashion industry, but on my own terms.
I wanted that for my career, just like my boss– I wanted to do what I love & teach others along the way to do what they love as well.
I know… kinda emo & I am getting all teary eyed over here, but I feel like this is just a big/super important chunk of time & life that brought me to where I am today. We all have that special someone or experience that led you to your path. I guess you’d say, this was mine.
**My tiny wonder if a boss is no longer with us… but she will forever be in my heart & thoughts daily. I am eternally grateful for all she has done for me & all she has taught me.**
Who was your mentor? Someone who changed you, molded you, inspired you? I would love to hear any stories from you guys!! x, E
wearing: Rojas windbreaker cropped jacket | Rojas windbreaker mini skirt | oversized vintage rimless aviators | studded ankle boots
The Edit | Reworked Fashion Favorites
[ PHOTOS BY ARIELLE LEVY ]