Imagine That

"We always attract into our lives whatever we think about most, believe most strongly, expect on the deepest level, and imagine most vividly"

-Shakti Gawain

As far back as I can remember, one of the things that I use to think about most was growing up to become a fashion designer. I believed it to be true with every fiber of my being and expected to be successful. What I didn't imagine, was that life would somehow find a way to intervene and put obstacles in my way. What I believed to be obstacles at the time, I now view as things that happened to prepare me for the skills it would take to not only dream, but to be able to take action.

Not too long ago, I put together a vision board. I had been hearing the term for quite some time and thought it would be fun to try. It's amazing what you go through trying to figure out what truly matters to you most and what makes you happy. My vision board included both pictures and words to describe what makes me move, have passion and take pause. Completing the vision board allowed me to say out loud who I am now and where I want to be in the future. I have left some open space on the board since I know that I am always finding new things that excite me and would like to add them to the board.

One of the first things that came to fruition after completing the board, was the purchase of my first home. The home I have on the board was of my dream home, which while it may not look like the house I'm in now, it is the beginning of what is to come. I can look at the board every day and know that if I continue to work hard and stay focused, that someday, the house on the board, will be the house that I build. The board also gave me the freedom to say that no matter how hard people say it's going to be or how scared I get, that I have to follow my dream of becoming a fashion designer and to someday own my own boutique. I know that life will find a way to intervene, but I will find a way to overcome.

I've started attending fashion events and making connections that help to invigorate me and find my way back to the creativity I pushed aside. I now eagerly await the arrival of every fashion magazine that I've subscribed to so that I can flip through the pages and marvel at what fashion is truly all about. To me, fashion is about expressing yourself through the use of fabric formed together to create pieces that are a reflection of what art is to you. It's a way of letting your creative ideas wander around like like walking pieces of art.

My passion lies in designing dresses. While I can draw other things, my hand naturally wants to create a stunning masterpiece that wows the crowd. I've tried to fight it telling myself that dresses are too hard of a market, but I can't deny that it's where my natural talent lies. So intead of working against it, I will find a way to work with it. If there are no events that warrant someone to wear my dresses, then I will create an event. No longer will I tell myself no when I haven't fully exhausted all other options.

I feel like I did when I was younger. Letting my imagination run wild and not setting limits has opened up the floodgates of creativity for me and the sheer excitement alone is enough to have me floating on a cloud. The thought of being able to draw and sew has made the days more joyful than they already were. My sons love to watch as I take a blank piece of paper and add life to it. I love to see their eyes sparkle with admiration to see their Mother doing something that she loves. It's an indescribable feeling.

In order to attract what I want, I now think it, believe it, expect it and imagine it as often as I want and need to. Imagine that!

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)