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Fashion Is My Life

By James C. – Los Angeles, CA

I’ve always been around fashion. My dad worked in the garment district here in L.A. I used to go to work with him sometimes. All he did was talk about fashion but at the same time he just worked for other fashion lines being a sales rep. He passed 2 years ago. He always was talking about how he wanted to have his own line. I miss him and it is my desire to really get things going. I’ve been doing my fashion research and buying resources that will help me get where I want to be.

So how did fashion become my life? Let’s see. Besides my dad being involved in fashion for years it was my interest in celebrity fashion. I watch all the award shows to see what people like Scarlett Johansson, Charlize Theron, Beyonce, Jessica Alba, and Jennifer Aniston will be wearing to name a few. It would be my dream to dress anyone of them in my fashions. I love couture and evening gowns. That is where my passion is. I learned how to sew from my grandmother so I have been making some of the designs already that I have been sketching. I think that fashion is in the heart. It’s that feeling almost like a first kiss when you see someone wearing your clothing. It is very magical.

Fashion for me is an art. It is a daily indulgence that keeps me happy and driven. There is not a day that goes by when I’m not doing something related to fashion. I’m on Rodeo Drive shopping all the time at various boutiques like Fred Segel. As much as I like my fashion designs, I still shop from other designers. I love Ed Hardy designs. I love the vintage look. I’m obsessed and I know it. I can’t help myself. There is nothing like fashion. I’m just glad I’m working my way into the world of fashion. There no to other thing I’d rather be doing with my life. Fashion is my life for now and forever.

Sincerely,

James

Fashion is My Life

By Christian Ortiz - Miami, FL

Fashion became my life back in my high school days; my tenth grade year to be exact. I remember it just like yesterday. I've always had a love for fashion and coordinating is my specialty. I have a great eye for matching colors and picking the right materials in addition to organizing tops and bottoms with accessories. To make a long story short I am probably one of the best in the fashion business still operating under the radar. However, all that is about to change! I will admit I am not from the traditional school of fashion; I am more of a natural talent if you will. I believe that's what gives me my edge over other fashion designers, and it keeps me raw and innovative. Not to say that there is something wrong with the fashion school route but this way worked best for me.

There are two things that I believe motivated and convinced me to try and start my own clothing line. One of those things is the compliments that I have received for many years on the way that I dress. People simply love my style and swagger, and for the most part I don't blame them, I love it too! I style and profile seven days a week, and if you want to be the best you can't take Sundays off for rest. Only the almighty can afford to do that. Not to mention the fashion industry is always changing so I plan to stay on top of things and aware of what's going on at all times. By doing things this way I'm truly putting fashion first and in addition to that if you want to be a clothing designer that is respected in the industry you have to put fashion first. I don't see any other choice in the matter.

The second thing that fuels my fashion entrepreneurial spirit and I hope this doesn't sound like greed. But it's the money that a clothing company can potentially make. Some clothing lines bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year and needless to say that's a lot of money. And if I can make money like that doing something I love to do then that would be a dream come true for me. That type of status would be somewhat like a ball player. All athletes love to play ball and that’s the thing they dreamed about as little kids. Therefore, in essence they are getting paid to live out their dream! I want that for me, I want to live out my dream, and if I can make money while doing fashion which is the thing I love to do then that is more than a dream come true. That is a blessing a true blessing. This is why fashion is my life!

Why I love Fashion

By Stacy L. - Ontario, Canada

It’s probably true to say that I was one of those teenagers described as “creative”. But, although I liked art, I didn’t really understand fashion at that age. Neither did my friends, who – though obsessed with wearing the latest trends – didn’t seem to realize that it was meant to be more than a desperate bid to look like everyone else. But in that past and primitive era we didn’t have access to internet, and our parents were no great examples of style, so what did we know?

I realized there was more to fashion some years later, when I discovered the designers themselves – yes, that’s right, I discovered that “fashion” was really “fashion design”. Clothing that my teenage friends would not have been seen dead in could be found in upscale designer stores. And racks of clothing were suddenly as interesting and creative as paintings on a gallery wall.

Studying fashion design at college meant learning about the history of fashion and fashion designers, as well as learning how to design and work with fabric. I had an immediate liking for Japanese designers Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Comme des Garcons (headed by Rei Kawakubo), as well as others such as Rifat Ozbek, Hugo Boss, and Donna Karan. All of these designers appeared to embody a kind of – dare I say it – ‘intelligence’, working with different fabrics to produce something new and interesting. ‘Trends’ seemed a secondary concern to many designers.

I liked Miyake, for example, not only for the simplicity of his style, but his ability to mix modern and traditional fabrics, and, indeed, to work with unexpected materials such as plastic and even treated paper. Since then he has established his ‘Pleats Please’ line, working with new technology to produce clothing that is wearable and stylish, yet recognizable as his design.

I also liked the fact that designers often seemed to come from other backgrounds (Yamamoto had studied law, and Ozbek had studied architecture), and that fashion design brought together lots of different artistic and cultural influences. Design students were expected to do some serious research into different artistic movements, artists and cultures, as well as into design. Fashion students – and those fashion designers I met – seemed possessed of a joie de vivre.

For one project we were required to take a suit jacket apart, to see exactly how it was constructed. It was at that moment that I understood that there really was a whole lot more to fashion than is generally recognized – literally and figuratively. I was amazed to discover about forty layers of fabric, cut and stitched in different, complicated ways, with some pieces larger, others small strips, some stitched diagonally, etc. Who thinks about that, when they put on a suit jacket? Or even knows that all of that is hidden inside, between the outer cloth and the lining? When I look at a suit, couture dress, or well-designed garment, I am always aware that there is so much more going on than most people realize.

Why I Love Fashion

By Tasha

Fashion provides an opportunity for us to develop an image that we portray to the world. Right after I finished graduate school, I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I replaced nearly my entire wardrobe, with the exception of a few of my favorite pieces. It wasn’t until later that I realized that I had gone and bought things that I thought would make me look (and feel) like a “writer.” My new wardrobe was far more professional than my old one, but it was infused with a lot of whimsical pieces. Someone could look at me and get the feeling that I was some type of creative professional.

One reason that I love fashion is because it can help to transform me from the outside in. Changing my clothes can actually change my mood. If I feel like I need to be a little more assertive in a situation, I’ve found that wearing a pair of high heels does wonders. Not only do they make me a little taller, but they force me to stand with my shoulders back, which is a naturally assertive position. Much of the success of the lingerie market depends upon this very premise. 

Among all my other personality traits is an intense curiosity about people. The way artists choose to express themselves is a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into their minds. It is fascinating to look at the offerings of the different designers to see their point of view. For example, the styles of Mila Jovovich reflect her time in the industry and her understanding of how to dress a woman in a flattering style. You can look at her clothes and get the sense that she would just be fun to hang out with on a Saturday night.

The clothes that various artists choose to wear also give us curious types a little insight into who they are. It’s no coincidence that the Academy Awards are nearly as much about the fashions as they are about the movies. We see the styles of the stars and find ourselves making conclusions about them as a result. Think of what Piddy’s clothes say about his self confidence, for example. Nicole Kidman’s wardrobe choices add to her allure as a classic screen goddess, while Lil’ Kim’s ensembles create a completely different type of story in our minds. 

Have you ever heard someone say that the lottery is like a tax on those who are bad at math? For me, that dollar is about so much more than the infinitesimally small chance that I’ll hit the jackpot. Instead, I’m spending my dollar for the chance to fantasize about what I would do if I did defy all the odds and end up a big winner. I imagine the life I’d lead and the person I would be. I spend my dollar for the way that fantasy makes me feel.

Fashion has a similar effect for me. Spending $30 on a new sweater generally has very little to do with whether or not it’s going to keep me warm on cold Northwest winter nights. Instead, it’s about how it will make me feel. Any girl can tell you that a new dress is an investment in how she feels when she wears it. When you feel gorgeous, you come across as confident and empowered.