Cut From a Different Cloth

I don’t know who to credit for the expression “The black sheep is usually the GOAT”, but it quickly became one of my favorite colloquialisms. It would be an understatement to say that everyone has a sob story, so here’s one about perseverance and faith. I have always been captivated by the gowns and get ups of the stars and vowed that I would be a part of the action, preferably one of the magic makers. I unlocked a super power with a pair of Fiskar scissors, 1 yard of fabric and a $50 sewing machine from Walmart. As a jack of all trades and a master of none you can become quite unfulfilled and confused when trying to decipher your life’s purpose, but mine became apparent thru my passion for fashion.

I used to wonder why I never quite fit in, even with family, but I accidentally discovered my “IT” factor when I began to embrace my individuality. I had dreams of being the dopest lyricist of all time combining my poetry and raps and often studied the stage presence of the greats. Erykah Badu, Beyonce and the Drag Queens in Rupaul’s drag race wore jaw dropping pieces that commanded attention. I made it up in my mind that mine would HAVE TO do the same! Not having the super star budget; the designer journey began. I honestly had no idea what I was doing. Pinning and gluing and horribly stitching together looks that often came apart. Yet and still I began receiving so much recognition and inquiries about my outfits, the hustler in me became intrigued and I fell in love. Sewing was like the quiet boy with a secret crush we tend to overlook that turns out to be our soul mate! I immediately got the epiphany to do a career switch. I was very much aware that I lacked a lot of knowledge being a self taught designer but I was used to overcoming when the odds were stacked, this would be no different!

Aside from being a creative outlet that I could lucratively profit from, the satisfaction I got from seeing those bright smiles from happy clients was the most euphoric feeling ever! I wanted to make every woman feel their absolute best and decided to concentrate on a garment that could accentuate any shape or silhouette. Hands down dresses were one of the most flattering pieces so I created my dress line Fikre (Ethiopian for My love) Couture in 2016. I get lost in my creations, cutting away and draping, for hours and days at a time and I love every minute of it. I went from a troubled and traumatized teen that lacked direction and a lot of fundamentals; to a designer creating my own destiny! I have been featured in some local publications, assisted with wardrobe in an independent film "Project Kidz" and showcased my work at the World trade center for New York Fashion Week in 2019. I plan to open a non traditional Entrepreneurial Charter program for the underprivileged youth who want to use fashion as a creative outlet or business venture. I intend to teach them financial literacy and help them accumulate generational wealth ultimately changing the statistics of children who grew up in communities like mine.

I have overcome so many obstacles in my life and a lot of my triumphs are owed to a pair of Fiskar scissors, one yard of fabric and a $50 sewing machine. I hope that this story inspires everyone like me that is cut from a different cloth to continue to be sore thumbs to continue to stand out because you are what is right in the world!