When I fell in love with fashion

I remember the day I fell in love with fashion; I was four years old to be exact. My mom walked into the kitchen where I was seated eating my Saturday morning bowl of cereal. This particular morning she made a grand entrance in a colorful crepe de chine halter maxi dress that she complimented with beautiful wraparound ankle strap espadrille wedge shoes, gold bangles, gold hoop earrings, tangerine orange lipstick, and perfectly coiffed hair to complete the look...

It was official…I was in LOVE!

From that day forward, I became enamored with fabrics, textures, and patterns of all types in clothes and accessories. With my mom’s assistance, I would meticulously pick out what I was going to wear; and additionally, give specific instructions to my mom, sister, or whoever I was delegating on how I wanted my hair to look for that day. In my preteens, when I was able to do my own shopping, I got such joy out of bringing outfits to life. A great top from that store, the skirt from this store, and a one-of-a-kind dress from that store with, of course, the perfect shoes and accessories to match.

By the time I was in high school, I had loads of inspiration to draw from; my sisters, my always well-dressed grandmothers, a father who also had a penchant for men’s fashion, and the countless fashion ads and model spreads in Essence, Ebony, Seventeen, Vogue and W Magazine. In my teen years, I remember spending hours reading and studying every inch of these magazines. To this day, I still have several because of what they meant to me.

During my college years, I went through an exploratory period, testing and stretching my style boundaries. Admittedly, this meant lots of short, tight, see-through, and expensive purchases, none of which my parents preferred. I appreciate that they understood; they accepted that it was all a part of my fashion journey.

By the time I hit my 20s, my fashion style started to become more refined. I appreciated well-tailored pieces, and was okay with a wardrobe that spoke to quality over quantity. When my maternal grandmother did a purge of her closet and I became the proud owner of some phenomenal vintage pieces I thought life couldn’t get better. To this day, even in her passing, I still treasure the timeless clothing and jewelry I inherited from her. During this same time, I began to travel more, my second love, here in the U.S. and abroad. And whether for work or leisure, I’ve always been able to locate great clothing pieces and accessories.

When someone says to me, “I sure do love that dress, “or, “Where did you get those shoes?“, I get a kick out of saying, “Oh, I got that while in Paris” or, “Those shoes came from a great little Boutique in L.A.”

My love for fashion runs deep. Every day I find such pleasure in showcasing my #personalstyle. This is also true for the clients that I have the privilege to work with as their #Style & #Image Consultant. I get such joy out of working with amazing individuals assisting them with tailoring a look that fits their style and personality. I celebrate #fashion and the fashion industry for the impact you’ve made in my life.