“I’m from Syracuse, New York, but I spent my teen years in Anne Arundel County, on and surrounding the Fort Meade Army Base. I’m a fashion design student, been here for 5 semesters. I originally was seeking a certificate but I decided to pursue a degree last semester. I’ve loved fashion design for a long time. I’m happy that I can finally pursue it at an affordable school. I’ve also gained friends at BCCC and have a nice rapport with my professors. Professor Chandler, Professor Douglass, Professor Jackson, Professor Payne and Ken Gillespie are some people at the College that have helped me a lot. I think I’ve helped some classmates and even some teachers. I’ve stayed late to help with projects and even used some of my connections with industry events. I remember we went to New York City last October for an event with Vogue Magazine. We met famous designers and saw people like Traci Ellis Ross and Cardi B. It was great. I’d love to own a successful fashion brand and maybe do costume designs for films. I’d also like to own real estate. I didn’t imagine I’d be a fashion designer. I knew I liked sewing when I came to BCCC. I thought I’d start a blog at first, but I didn’t think my swimwear designs would take off the way they have. I started my own plus size clothing line while at BCCC. I even did my first fashion show. I started with DC Fashion Week, then did Miami Swim week, then New York Fashion Week and I just kept going and putting myself out there. A fashion professor here actually convinced me to do my first fashion show. I’m proud I stepped out of my comfort zone and listened to that little voice within me. It told me it was time to take fashion classes back in 2017 and I feel like I’m really pursuing my dream profession now. After college, I want to nationally distribute my swimwear brand, Mylk and Honey Clothier. I also want to take my fashion to Europe, whether that means studying abroad or doing fashion shows in London, Paris, or Milan. I want to eventually make fashion my primary source of income, maybe from my own business or finding a job I like. Also, I want to see a celebrity in my clothing. I love that I have my own business and swimwear brand. I think I just have an entrepreneurial spirit. I own my own therapy business, too. It’s great being self-employed. When I really need time off due to being tired or sick, I don’t have a boss to tell me I can’t. Balancing and shifting my mindset were the hardest parts about returning to college. Working as a mental health therapist for people with disabilities takes a lot out of me mentally and physically. I had to make some serious decisions once I decided to take fashion seriously. Sometimes that meant rushing from work to classes. Also, I try to stay active in the fashion community. Balancing work, school, then creating collections and traveling for shows was hard. I was also just scared to return to school, having been out of the classroom for about 5 years. I had to convince myself that pursuing fashion wasn’t trivial compared to being a social worker. I think some helping professions like teachers and social workers feel guilty when we decide to pursue careers that aren’t directly helping or impacting people and communities. But I certainly learned that I can and have helped people through fashion. It’s a part of who I am and my brand identity. If I could give advice to new students, I’d say pay attention to your textbooks and your instructors. Some of your professors are experts in their fields. Take the information they provide you and run with it. I think it’s also important to travel and get an internship if you can afford to. Also, don’t underestimate BCCC. We learn the same things here that others learn at more expensive institutions. Stand confidently in what you know. I’ve seen it firsthand. The people at Vogue Magazine and the luxury designers were talking the same talk and using the same tools we use here at BCCC. It makes me really happy to have a creative outlet. Helping women with their confidence by dressing them and attacking their insecurities is amazing. I’m currently fundraising to nationally manufacture my clothing line. Be on the lookout for Mylk and Honey Clothier!”
