Over twenty years ago, I enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). At the time, I was balancing a full-time job, managing my grades, and living on my own. Life was challenging, to say the least. Some weeks, I had only twenty dollars to my name. Mornings often began with me scrambling for change at the bottom of my bag or searching through the pockets of old jackets. I was living paycheck to paycheck, with nothing extra to fall back on.

What’s interesting is that I always had a job—good jobs, in fact. The issue wasn’t that I wasn’t earning enough; it was that I wasn’t managing my money properly. I share this with you because I believe in the importance of transparency. It’s also necessary to understand the context behind my decision to invest in myself and pursue a dream I thought had passed me by.

This time, I was ready. Although my finances took another hit, choosing to join FIT and participate in a ten-day study abroad program with alumni was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Walking through the exhibit, I felt a deep connection to the timelessness of style, and how fashion has always played an important role in expressing my identity and power.

Throughout this journey, maintaining a sense of style has been both a comfort and a form of expression. For me, fashion has always been more than just clothing; it's a way to tell my story and present my emotions to the world.