What inspired you to apply for the "Celebrating Fashion Future" program?
I was inspired to apply for the “Celebrating Fashion’s Future” Program by the opportunity of expanding my knowledge on both fashion and marketing. Fashion is so multidimensional, that marketing, e-commerce, graphic design, and public speaking is so crucial to my development as a designer. I applied to this program for the opportunity to connect with real world professionals and to expand the abilities/experience I have to offer the industry.
What drives you? Share your passions, values, or a defining experience that shaped who you are today.
People, memories, and experiences drive me. I value people and community connection heavily, so my interactions with others and the things I learn from them are held close to my heart. This drives my love for art and photography. I yearn to capture history and the stories of people, which is what truly drives my ambitions and pursuit in the professional world.
How do you see yourself as part of Fashion's future?
I see myself as a Fashion Historian. I want to tell the stories of people of color and women through my designs, exhibitions, and lifestyle. To celebrate fashions future we must remember where we came from and how fashion has been an indicator of history. I want to share culture and lived experiences through my designs as a fashion designer, and through my exhibitions as a curator to celebrate fashions future.
How does your campus Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) create community and opportunity for students?
HU BRAG creates so many opportunities for BRAG members and Howard University students as a whole. HU BRAG puts on various programming like: clothing swaps, internship panels, informational inviting representation from different brands, and design challenges. These events are open to all and allow students to express their creativity professionally.
How has attending an HBCU set you up for success?
An HBCU has set me up for success by teaching me that I am valued no matter what I look like. My university respects me for my mind and does not judge me for my appearance. Being in a place of development that wants me to succeed gives me the confidence and the opportunity to do anything I put my mind to. This is the only space in my life that I will be consistently surrounded by people who look like me and have a similar background to me. This level of inclusivity builds pride in my background, grounded in my blackness, and ready to takeover the world.
