Overcoming "Me"

"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats".

B. C. Forbes

I had both a good and bad day today. Since this blog's purpose is to mainly focus on my triumphs regarding the startup of my clothing line, I will not go into detail regarding my personal life. What I will say is that the bad part of my day left such a sour taste in my mouth, that it has made me realize that no matter how hard you try to make everyone happy, there will always be someone who will do their best to try and bring you down to their level.

As painful as it is, I have to start believing in the advice that I give to my own sons. "No matter who you are as a person, someone will like you for who you are, and someone will not like you for who you are, so don't change". As always, it's been easier to give than to live. Unfortunately, I will have to make this my mantra if I'm ever going to be able to fully put myself out there for other people to judge my designs. My quest for perfection while not being criticized has backed me into a corner that I no longer want to call home.

I no longer want to conform to what I think will make everyone else happy. That way of life has crippled me and I no longer want to be a victim. I have too much talent to let it just sit idle. I have goals in life that don't involve me wallowing in self-pity. I have already accomplished so many of my goals that for me to think that I will be anything less but successful at this, is an insult to all of my planning.

I need to start viewing obstacles as things that are preparing me to be more prepared for the next step. Of course there will be moments where everything falls into place and life seems like it just coudn't get any better. But, there will also be times when I will wonder what went wrong so fast. I just have to be ready to bask in the sunlight of my accomplishments and face the heat of my mistakes. I'm ready for both.

Sincerely,

Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)

Fabrics, Buttons and Thread, Oh My!

"The sad truth is that opportunity doesn't knock twice. You can put things off until tomorrow but tomorrow may never come. Where will you be a few years down the line. Will it be everything you dreamed of. We seal our fate with the choices we take, but don't give a second thought to the chances we take".

~ Gloria Estefan

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of doing something I haven't done in awhile. I not only went to a fabric store, but I also purchased two bolts of fabric that were so full of color and life, that they inspired me to draw again. I forgot how fun it is to try to recreate fabric through the use of markers. I got so involved with trying to match the fabric perfectly, they I went past my goal of spending a hour in my sewing studio. Luckily I have a great supporter in my boyfriend who cooked dinner while I designed.

Here is a draft of the sketch that I just couldn't walk away from:


One thing that allowed me to just draw was the fact that I didn't beat myself up for not making sure my hands, feet and face were perfect on the figure. I can remember being in my Fashion Illustration class and getting frustrated by the details of everything other than the design that I was trying to transfer from my head to the paper. I recently came across some Fashion Croquis that I will use to make sure my portfolio looks more professional, but the design itself will be what most of my focus is on.

It's amazing the feeling you get when you allow yourself to do what you do best and find resources to help you with those things that aren't within your skill set. I had been putting off going into my sewing studio because I felt like I wasn't ready. I felt like I had to know how to sew like an expert and draw like an experienced artist. Once I let go of my own limitations and realized that what I know today will help me know more tomorrow, I was able to just do what felt natural.

I know that I'm a little rusty since I haven't given Fashion Design the same attention as I do everything else, but I also know that my passion and desire to succeed are so deeply embedded in me, that I have to just do something. There will never be a perfect time, just the time that I dedicate to it.

This is my time to take a chance and create my own moment of Aha!

Sincerely,

Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)

Survey Says

In an effort to keep moving forward and in the right direction, I have come up with a survey to help me get a better idea of what people are looking for in terms of clothing. Please visit the following link My Fashion Style to complete the survey.

Sincerely,

Ebony
(Conquering the world, one stylish step at a time)