October 18, 2024
Follow The Pasta Brick Road…
At just a week away from turning 52, I’ve never felt better! Why? Because I’ve learned to appreciate life from a place of truth and openness.
The truth is, I want to live my best life—boldly, without the weight of other people’s opinions or the burden of regrets. I want to be so busy living my best life that there’s no time to worry about anything else! Almost eight months ago, I made the decision to travel abroad with 31 strangers. I had no idea how I would manage the financial side of things, especially with a new business. I even asked myself, “Who do you think you are, going on such a trip?”
Over twenty-five 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, totally mismanaging my income. Fast forward to now, and that journey of struggle helped me make a different decision: to go on this trip and invest in myself.
After a few conversations with women I deeply respect, including my grandmother, I finally made up my mind. One conversation in particular, with my grandmother before her passing, truly solidified my decision. She said, “If you think this will help you in your future and it’s not going to take anything away—why not?”
After months of planning, September 26th finally arrived, marking the official start of my journey as part of FIT’s inaugural study abroad program! Along with 31 other travelers—including faculty, alumni, and their plus-ones—we set off to explore new destinations. My flight from JFK to Milan began boarding at 3:30 PM, and just five minutes after settling in, I found myself sitting next to a family member of an American celebrity icon. I haven’t shared this until now, and while I don’t have permission to reveal their name, I couldn’t resist sharing the experience. It was a special moment and a memorable way to kick off everything that was to come!
Once I got comfortable in my seat, I immediately fell asleep. Throughout the flight, I kept waking up, trying to find the perfect position. On the final stretch, I turned on my favorite show, I Love Lucy, and laughed my way right onto Milan’s tarmac. After landing, I connected with the other FIT travelers, and we all gathered at baggage claim, eagerly waiting for our luggage. Thanks to the bright blue luggage straps sent by the FIT alumni organizer, our bags were easy to spot.
Once everyone was accounted for, we headed toward the airport exit, but not before taking our first group photo. It was here that I made my first new connection, and we hit it off right away, chatting non-stop. As we boarded our luxury sprinter, I requested a quick picture—it would be the first of many! I had to capture the moment—this was really happening; I was in Italy!
We arrived in Italy like blank canvases, and after 10 days, I was brimming with excitement and creativity. The trip was a deep dive into art, history, and culture, with inspiring museum exhibits and informative lectures. Over the course of 10 days, we walked more than 70 miles! I didn’t realize how physically demanding the trip would be, especially the day I climbed 916 steps to the top of the Duomo in Milan. The view from the roof was breathtaking, stretching as far as the eye could see. Every corner of the Duomo was an architectural masterpiece, both inside and out.
One of the most memorable highlights was our visit to the Armani Silos in Milan, where we were immersed in the timeless elegance of Armani’s collections. The exhibit showcased fashion from 1977 to 2021. It was amazing how the silhouettes remained relevant even today. We also visited the iconic Ratti, a luxury Italian designer textile house, where we watched the intricate process of designer scarves being printed, both digitally and through traditional screen printing. Our private tour of the Ferragamo Museum, located in the Ferragamo store, was another unforgettable moment—learning about the history of the Ferragamo company and viewing original footwear patterns, designs, and old archives felt surreal. But what truly made my heart happy was purchasing an original piece from Giuliano, an expert metal artisan with 50 years of experience. His passion for his craft was infectious!
This trip was not just a study abroad experience—it was a journey of transformation. Italy’s fashion, art, history, cuisine, and nonstop laughter left me feeling more connected, inspired, and ready to take on new creative challenges. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure gave me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the beauty in diversity that surrounds us.
Spending 10 days with such a diverse group of people from all walks of life reminded me that, no matter our differences, we are all connected by creativity and a love for exploration. I am so grateful for these new experiences, the diversity of perspectives, and the unique beauty that unites us all.
By taking part in this inaugural study abroad program with FIT, we alumni raised enough funds to contribute toward two FIT scholarships for current students to study abroad. Talk about a happy ending! My grandmother always said, “We serve the higher being by serving others.” I couldn’t be happier to have been part of such an impactful experience.
Stay tuned for more details on the inspiration behind my upcoming designs!
Sometimes, it’s okay to act on what the heart desires… Why not?
With love,
Cealle
The truth is, I want to live my best life—boldly, without the weight of other people’s opinions or the burden of regrets. I want to be so busy living my best life that there’s no time to worry about anything else! Almost eight months ago, I made the decision to travel abroad with 31 strangers. I had no idea how I would manage the financial side of things, especially with a new business. I even asked myself, “Who do you think you are, going on such a trip?”
Over twenty-five 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, totally mismanaging my income. Fast forward to now, and that journey of struggle helped me make a different decision: to go on this trip and invest in myself.
After a few conversations with women I deeply respect, including my grandmother, I finally made up my mind. One conversation in particular, with my grandmother before her passing, truly solidified my decision. She said, “If you think this will help you in your future and it’s not going to take anything away—why not?”
After months of planning, September 26th finally arrived, marking the official start of my journey as part of FIT’s inaugural study abroad program! Along with 31 other travelers—including faculty, alumni, and their plus-ones—we set off to explore new destinations. My flight from JFK to Milan began boarding at 3:30 PM, and just five minutes after settling in, I found myself sitting next to a family member of an American celebrity icon. I haven’t shared this until now, and while I don’t have permission to reveal their name, I couldn’t resist sharing the experience. It was a special moment and a memorable way to kick off everything that was to come!
Once I got comfortable in my seat, I immediately fell asleep. Throughout the flight, I kept waking up, trying to find the perfect position. On the final stretch, I turned on my favorite show, I Love Lucy, and laughed my way right onto Milan’s tarmac. After landing, I connected with the other FIT travelers, and we all gathered at baggage claim, eagerly waiting for our luggage. Thanks to the bright blue luggage straps sent by the FIT alumni organizer, our bags were easy to spot.
Once everyone was accounted for, we headed toward the airport exit, but not before taking our first group photo. It was here that I made my first new connection, and we hit it off right away, chatting non-stop. As we boarded our luxury sprinter, I requested a quick picture—it would be the first of many! I had to capture the moment—this was really happening; I was in Italy!
We arrived in Italy like blank canvases, and after 10 days, I was brimming with excitement and creativity. The trip was a deep dive into art, history, and culture, with inspiring museum exhibits and informative lectures. Over the course of 10 days, we walked more than 70 miles! I didn’t realize how physically demanding the trip would be, especially the day I climbed 916 steps to the top of the Duomo in Milan. The view from the roof was breathtaking, stretching as far as the eye could see. Every corner of the Duomo was an architectural masterpiece, both inside and out.
One of the most memorable highlights was our visit to the Armani Silos in Milan, where we were immersed in the timeless elegance of Armani’s collections. The exhibit showcased fashion from 1977 to 2021. It was amazing how the silhouettes remained relevant even today. We also visited the iconic Ratti, a luxury Italian designer textile house, where we watched the intricate process of designer scarves being printed, both digitally and through traditional screen printing. Our private tour of the Ferragamo Museum, located in the Ferragamo store, was another unforgettable moment—learning about the history of the Ferragamo company and viewing original footwear patterns, designs, and old archives felt surreal. But what truly made my heart happy was purchasing an original piece from Giuliano, an expert metal artisan with 50 years of experience. His passion for his craft was infectious!
This trip was not just a study abroad experience—it was a journey of transformation. Italy’s fashion, art, history, cuisine, and nonstop laughter left me feeling more connected, inspired, and ready to take on new creative challenges. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure gave me a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the beauty in diversity that surrounds us.
Spending 10 days with such a diverse group of people from all walks of life reminded me that, no matter our differences, we are all connected by creativity and a love for exploration. I am so grateful for these new experiences, the diversity of perspectives, and the unique beauty that unites us all.
By taking part in this inaugural study abroad program with FIT, we alumni raised enough funds to contribute toward two FIT scholarships for current students to study abroad. Talk about a happy ending! My grandmother always said, “We serve the higher being by serving others.” I couldn’t be happier to have been part of such an impactful experience.
Stay tuned for more details on the inspiration behind my upcoming designs!
Sometimes, it’s okay to act on what the heart desires… Why not?
With love,
Cealle