By now many of us have heard of Apple Marketing Executive Bozoma Saint John. If you have not take some time to familiarize yourself with her here, and here, and also here.

Two weeks ago the video of her acceptance speech for the Billboard Women in Music 2016 Executive of the Year Award surfaced with nothing but love and adoration for all things sistah gurl. I found out about the speech when my best friend posted it proclaiming its power to make you hit the ugly cry, and it sure did. So after watching it several times in a row I knew I had to write a post about it.

The reason I personally feel that this speech in particular is necessary, just plain crucial, for Black women to hear before the clock strikes midnight on 2017, is because there was just something about 2016 that is leaving many of us in need of healing, restoration, and a lot of renewed strength. There is a restorative power to this speech, there are necessary charges in this speech, we are seen in this speech, and our language is spoken in this speech. Saint John gives us a seat at her table in this speech, matter of fact after this speech listen to Solange Knowle's "Dont Touch My Hair" and then "F.U.B.U." just get all the way into it. (I am actually listening to album as I write this). So before you close out this hell of a year give your soul some R and R (and R and R...)

Restore - Your Spiritual Practice

"I would like to give thanks to the Most High"

Bozoma is not shy about her love for Christ as she thanks Jesus openly mentioning how she caught the Holy Ghost when she found out she won the award. No matter your personal beliefs, (and it appears that Black women have been exploring their options), having a spiritual practice that centers you when life is uncertain, trying, and just down right uncooperative is imperative. Before the year ends centering with your higher power and locating your inner peace can help keep your journey smooth when you hit the potholes of life.

Resound - Your Voice

"The S-I-S-T-A-H" 

From this year's presidential election, to the #SayHerName movement, we know that our voices matter. And if you don't know, know it now. Every time Bozoma said "Boo" my pride grew just a little more. When she spoke to her mother in her native language of Fante because in her words "...since our mother tongue, Fante, isn't often spoken on stages like this..." I lost it. The tears could not have been stopped under any circumstance. Listening to her speech the feeling of a big sister talking to her girls as we sit by the door and listen in only for her to invite you in on the conversation is exactly what I felt with the language that she used here. Never did she replace a slang word with a corporately appropriate word, never once did she apologized but proclaimed that this speech was for the sistahs "with an 'H'" She new that not only did her voice matter but it needed to matter in its own identity, in its true and native form. Black women your voice is beautiful and your words necessary.

Rally - Realize and Refine Your Tribe

"You are always home base for me" 

There is something about a tribe, the small group of women (people) that no matter where you are in the world they are as Saint John put it, "home base." The power of sisterhood is evident in her speech when she speaks gratitude to "the sistahs who chose [her]" and how they "spoon-fed [her] back to life on the strength of their love" after her husband died. This resonates with me so strongly as I am the gypsy of my friends yet there is a group of women who reside in Columbus, OH that I will forever call my Foundation, and when my father died in 2012 my sistahs in Los Angeles took turns sleeping at my place to ensure I wasn't alone during those first few nights of returning from Cleveland. I breathe their love and no matter where I am in the world, knowing that I have them matters more than anything to me. Before 2017 review and reevaluate your friendships, where does it need to be refreshed or even revisited; as my best friend puts is "protect your energy." Prune where necessary, and realize where you too can improve as a friend and support system.

Recognize - Coach and Champion Instead of Complain

"I see you Boo! Okay!"

There was this smooth rant Bozoma when on that was just straight recognition for "the sistahs that aren't seen, that push themselves day in and day out..." When she said "I see you Boo!" I felt as if she was talking to me directly, like she knew all about that one Wednesday two weeks ago when...you know? The restorative power of recognition among your peers where your soul also has rest is both underrated and undervalued. Often the media has tried to portray Black women as catty and combative and not as collaborative, but this portion of the speech disproves this notion. I personally am trying my best to do better about coaching and championing rather than complaining. I have made my own proclamation that if it is important enough for me to vent about it to multiple people, but have yet to speak to the originator of agitation then I am now the problem. I have gotten much better over time, but it still something I have to be fully conscious about. Not everyone will receive constructive criticism or kind correction, but it is much more productive to coach and champion than to complain. So before 2017 try to take these next few days to recognize where you can hand out more "I see you Boo!" It's the Black woman's high five.

Reach - Teach Them Well and Let Them Lead the Way

"We are knocking these dudes out of the way to make room for you"

If nothing else in her speech made you cry Bozoma's promise to the younger generation, and her words to her daughter and goddaughter should have done the trick. Charging them to "walk [their] walk, walk boldly, walk in [their] truth and not even [hers]" to "use [their] big girl voice" Young Black girls have to be woke in a way that we have only heard of our parents tales of the Civil Rights Movement. I remember when this video of 9 year-old Zianna Oliphant speaking at the Charlotte, NC City Council meeting circulated and the comments on the post were that she was prepped, that someone fed her the words, and that there was no way that those could be the words of a child her age, and it just made me think of how much our children are discounted. Our Black girls need to see examples of walking in one's truth, speaking out and using their voice, and know that it is okay to do the same. There are 4 young ladies in my life that are the silent checks and balance system to ensure that the things I do, I do with intention. And since it's my blog I am going to take a moment to speak words of honor to them.

• Goddaughter - I honestly believe that you were born early because the world couldn't wait to have you in it. Your creativity and knack for video editing is going to have great value for the way that our stories are heard and told. I am so excited to watch you grow and embrace every changing circumstance that the world throws at you with such a mature demeanor. You embrace life as if it were an opportunity to make something beautiful, and it inspires me to change my perspective when I lean toward the negative. 
• Twin - You are pure in heart. Artistic is an understatement as you have made art your science. Your love for the Lord keeps your outlook on life so bright, and you clearly cause light wherever you go. This is your superpower. People love you and instinctively want to protect you, yet you are the strongest warrior of them all. You will use your art as your sword, and oh the battles you will win. 
• Muse - Carefree Black Girl, you are a founding member. Watching you come into your own, fashion your style in a way that inspires me on a daily, street and book smart, you are the epitome of "cool." Your voice is going to change a generation, you are a natural leader, and we don't have to worry about knocking down the dudes to make room for you because you do that all on your own. Haters part like the Red Sea in your presence, your confidence your staff, and us your support system will always be there to hold up your arms when they tire. Already a mentor to many, your leadership will inspire multitudes. May I forever remain a part of your fan club. 
• Favorite - My favorite girl. You will literally be that until you're like 50. We are such kindred spirits. You are that kind whose friendship has the ability to spoon feed someone back to life when they need it; you have so much love to give. Smart and disciplined, this will take you farther than many in your circle. Embrace it! You will soon come across others who have a high-capacity to achieve in the same way you do. You are wise about how you use your voice already, when you choose to speak it means something, and people want to hear it. You are headed directly to the exceedingly, abundantly, above, and beyond, and when you get there that capacity to love, discipline to complete the hard tasks, and voice that speaks the necessary will be crucial. You got this! 

Speak life into a young woman in your life today. In the meantime get your life with the video below. Cry, take notes, journal your thoughts and feelings, purge a bit before the new year, and Restore, Resound, Rally, and Reach.

Happy 2017!

Billboard Women in Music 2016 Executive of the Year Acceptance Speech (Bozoma Saint John) from Bozoma Saint John on Vimeo.

Happy Winter Break Travelers!!

I am done with my first semester of my first year of my MBA program. It has been a week since I have taken my last final and instead of giving some random recap I want to give you 10 lessons that I have learned this first semester that I will be taking into, and possibly forgetting by next fashion week (that should say finals week). So let's dig in:

1. Editing is not just for Magazine Editors - After a certain point in the semester I was really overwhelmed with how much homework was assigned, on top of that I am an intern, and a research assistant for an undergraduate professor, so I still had work that was due for them as well. I had so much work due in one week I thought that I was going to throw up. So I had to edit. I have come to the conclusion that the objective of an MBA program is not that you do all the work that is assigned to you, but to teach you that you can't do everything so do you have the foresight to determine the important vs the urgent, and discern your basic needs for success, from there you will be able to edit your workload and become a better manager.
2. How the Grinch Stole Christmas is NOT the Way to Show How The Price Rate regulates itself in the Long-Run - I really am not a fan of the standard read-straight-from-the-bullet-points presentation style, so in my Econ class I decided that I was going to do the fun story-telling presentation...it did not go well.....
3. Paying Attention to Your Classmate's Learning Styles Pays Off - There is a lot of group work in the MBA program and it pays off to pay attention to your classmates learning styles, also class participation styles, and what works best with your personality You will be working with pretty much the same group of people for the next several years, as awesome as it would be to work with your new friends, the weird balding guy that sits in the back that you never talk to will definitely be the one with the 96 on your Econ exam while you and your friend are praying you don't get C's. Pick your study groups wisely!
4. You Can Never Have Too Many Flashcard Apps - I have Chegg, Flascardlet, and Brainscape (a Flaschardlet supplement). Each of the apps quiz me in a different way and serve a purpose for different times of the semester. Now that I have them figured out I know that Chegg flashcards work best for me during the course of the semester between chapters, but for my exams Brainscape is more effective.
5. Dropbox will save Your Group's Life - From class notes, to recorded lectures, updated group powerpoints, and exam study charts we really needed that DropBox folder and it was way less annoying than emailing back and forth a million times. I also keep all my other documents there so that I don't lose them if something happens to my computer, plus I can access and print them from my phone for whatever reason. 
6. Recording Your Classes May Not be a Bad Idea - I listened to my Business Law classes over and over. I may not have gotten an A in that class but I do know that my grade would have been much worse if I was not able to go back and reference what the professor said.
7. Rome May Not Have Been Built in a Day, but Sometimes Your Term Paper Will Be - And going back to Econ...my professor totally did not like the paper that I spent weeks researching and after reviewing my draft said "You might what to pick a new topic" ....this was AFTER I had already presented on my current topic 1 week before the paper was actually due. So what did I do? I wrote a brand new paper in a week that I am sure was not my best work, but met the requirements of the assignment per his instructions.
8. Just Deal with How Long You will Be There - I keep trying to take more classes than I should in one semester to get done with the program earlier....it makes no difference and the cost will still be the same. Don't speed to the destination, just enjoy the journey (that's what this blog is all about anyway)
9. Talk With Your Adviser - I really like our adviser, and I think that engaging her in our journey makes her a more effective liaison to the administration that builds our program. Tweet her, schedule an appt, I really think that when we have access to someone who can see the whole picture we are able to better navigate the part of our journey that we see.
10. Do Not Feel Guilty about After-Finals Sloth - I have only been out a week and I feel like I should be doing something. Granted there are only two weeks between the other semesters so I won't have as much time to sloth about as I do now, but still. Take the pressure off and give yourself some time to be a bum. 

So there we have it. My first 10 lessons of graduate school. Have you learned any? What are they? Feel free to share them with me.

Happy Travels! 

Hola, Aloha, Bonjour, and Bom Dia Travelers! The past couple of months have been such a journey, I lost my father a week before my birthday, I started my Mary Kay business, applying to USC and LMU for my MBA, and joined the MS Society's YPG group for professionals in their 20's and 30's that are affected by or just plain old advocating for multiple sclerosis. And that was just the first 6 months of the year. Whew!

Through that time I have had so much to say but just not taking the time to say it. I thought that adding an app to my blackberry (yes I still have one, TMobile is a terrorist), would keep me blogging on the regular, that didn't work. So I thought that if I voice noted my thoughts then transcribed them that would be better, nope. Lastly I started carrying a notebook with me to jot down my thoughts then type them out....you see the pattern here. There was nothing really working to keep me blogging consistently besides me well...blogging consistently.

My goal is to blog once a month, it's a simple goal that I think I can maintain. I really like the writing and appreciated the fan base that I had grown as well as some of the networking I was able to do with some of the bloggers that I admire. So let's get into this title....

As I mentioned in the intro the first 6 months have been a worldwind of emotions, change,and redirecting. Talk about pot holes and detours! I really couldn't get back on my freeway, I just kinda chilled at the rest stop of my journey trying to remap toward a new Point B. This is where I froze. I know that I have said in previous posts (idk where lol maybe I will link later) that fear can be paralyzing and will stop a traveler right in their tracks, I can't afford that anymore. The closer I get to 30 the more I am aware of how what I do, or don't do, today affects my tomorrow. So I have to keep going...but it doesn't come without caution. Fearfully fearless.

I think that many of us get to a point where more of us is required than before in order to make it to our destination. We want to remain in cruise control even though we know good and well that we aren't where we want to be or even have the potential to be. That's where I am right now. I am in a place that requires me to be more intentional of my time as well as more organized with my time and paperwork. I need to be accountable to those that I have committed to work with, which includes myself. So let's look at each of my responsibilities and what this means shall we?

Church: There is a spiritual accountability that I have to my God in the areas of character and finance, but hear I want to touch on the youth as I am a youth leader at my church. Showing up on time and engaging the youth that attend on Sundays, showing great ownership and being approachable are key and require my attitude to be intact as I know I'm being watched by a gang of middle schoolers!

Sorority: I am the co-chair of our mentoring initiative which runs like a separate organization in and of itself. For anyone in an NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) organization knows that as an active member there are meetings, activities and dues that need to be tended to. As a committee leader I am required to keep my committee  up to date as well as execute the objectives of this particular initiative...read - paperwork. I don't know why I am having such an issue with paperwork but I am. Sitting down and do it and then remembering to turn it in!

YPG: I have just joined this group so for right now I am enjoying sitting back and learning, however if I say that I am going to volunteer at an event it is up to me to make sure I am there on time and in the proper attire..if needed.

MBA: 4 letters --> G M A T ! I am accountable to my score and my studies to make sure that score is competitive justifiable to get that acceptance letter. This means more time management. How long I study and how often I take a practice test is up to me.

Mary Kay - newly added as an additional source of income is literally my part time job. This is probably where I feel the most overwhelmed. There is so much to know, and for some reason I think that I have to learn it all before I move forward with it. But the fact is momma got bills and her first job just aint cutting it like she needs it to. However, in Mary Kay I earn my effort, which means that my income is a DIRECT reflection of what I am or am not doing. Which goes back to moving out of cruise control and putting myself in drive. (this will come in a second post soon)

So with all of that said welcome to the transitional portion of the second phase/season of 2012. I hope you enjoy the ride as I learn how to.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

Recently I have seen a shift in my career and though I am not a fan of the financial reform this change is about to place me in, I am excited to see what is ahead of me. I won't sit here and bash my work situation or any of the players involved in my recent shift, but I will say that I think it to be wise to not believe that leaving one unpleasant situation to a new unknown one, that the grass is greener at your new destination. Point C may not be sweeter than Point B.

In transitioning on your freeway I recommend looking at both the fixed and the variable components to your situation:

Fixed - That's you. No matter what situation your are in, work, friendship, or finance, YOU are the only thing that stays the same. So when evaluating what went or is going wrong in the above it is time to take a self examination. Moving from one job to the next new co-worker situation doesn't matter if you come in with a sense of entitlement and not humility. Having a girlfriend problem? Are all their reasons for leaving the friendship/relationship similar? Maybe it's not them maybe it's you. Finances, doesn't matter if you make $800 a month or a day, keep seeing overdrafts in your account that means YOU have a need to learn money management.

Make sense? In the time of a change, especially from an unpleasant situation to a new one, look at several past situations and the similarities in the unpleasantness.

Variable - The situation. sometimes it really isn't us, it's them. But it takes that self examination of the fixed in multiple of variable situations to know if that's truth and not self righteousness.

A sincere willingness to examine both the fixed and the variable will truly fuel your freeway. Once it has been identified then clear communication is what is necessary to properly navigate from Point B to new Point C.

Does any of this makes sense? lol

If you find yourself in the position of leadership, or are striving to be a leader then I think that this article I came across in Inc.com is an essential read. I really think that this article deserves a separate post of its own, but while composing I found myself finger pointing more than learning/self-assessing, and that is where this post came from.

So in conclusion, sometimes that change is a blessing and moving from a challenging situation to a new one can be great, but examine all the factors. In order for the grass to be greener on the other side, you are going to have to water it.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

It was exactly one year ago today that I have written my last post here on this blog. I really loved this blog and writing on it but I let a lot get in my way; excuses, fears and wants of perfection (or at least my version of it). That can be paralyzing and it's not fair to anyone who followed this blog regularly.

The picture I have up is the long stretch of road that was before me when I was heading to California from Ohio with my mother, we had a long ways to go. The whole metaphor for this blog was about the Fashion Freeway and the journey it takes us on, and I have so much farther to go.

In the 3 years that I created this blog I have graduated FIDM, started working at a fashion consulting firm, moved into a bigger apartment, had a boyfriend, broke it off with a boyfriend, and am now looking once a gain to find my place here in the industry. I think it's a cycle, we search we find we settle we search again. I like working on the business side of the industry and would like to continue to pursue it, but I'm wondering now where else it will take me? I'll let you know once I figure it out.

Either Neither Travelers it feels good to be back and I will make a strong effort to provide consistent content and find my voice again. I hope that you will return to travel along with me and share party of your journey as well. Sometimes I forget that it's not always about the destination but the journey that gets you there and I know that once I locate that thing that has kept me moving forward all along it will totally be worth it!

Until next time travelers:

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

Today's post is all about watching your mouth at work. I was going to do this in two separate posts but I think that it works well in one.

One day the office manager asks me "Mei-Li, is this your first real office job?" Before I could allow myself to get offended I had to think, and it was. Well I mean, I was a leasing consultant for a year but to be honest the interaction with my boss there is nothing like the interactions with my boss/woman I want to be like when my fashion career grows up.

I told her it was (after going through practically all my previous jobs) and she sent me an article that she thought would be of help to me as she has said it has been help to her throughout her career. I want to share it with you:


I could have easily caught an attitude and missed a growth opportunity, but since the answer to her question was in the affirmative, it had merit. Sometimes when we are in a position of open vulnerability(ie the ending of my probationary period) we have a tendency to act as if every comment that is not open praise is an attack on you/your character or performance. This can blur the lines between genuine help and unsolicited criticism.

So if you are like me and love your job and are turning it into a career, read this fun article about taking criticism gracefully. It's a good read and fun to read with a British accent. But reading between the lines the writer makes a good point throughout the entire post: Your boss cares about RESULTS so fire the middle man named BS and take heed to what they are saying to you. Excuse, Blame, and Dissertations are all ways to kill office report (sp?) and is a sign of immaturity. Don't be this girl:

Yeah we all know Stephanie from Kell on Earth and her fate.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!" [source1] [source2]

The above picture is the present I got from my new boss that I totally was not expecting! I have only been working there for two weeks so the fact that she got me anything was unexpected.

It’s a hard holiday season jumping from coach to floor to car to whatever I can take until I can get an apartment that will accept my credit score is a lot! But right at that moment I felt like I belonged to something. Like it was all coming together.

If you are a recent graduate you may be working at your first career building job and doing what feels a lot like Andie in the first few weeks at Runway magazine. I know I am. Sitting at that table with all those women showed me just how much I still have to grow and for that I am excited. There is a place for me to mature and be able to properly check my progress.

I love the fact that my employer is my dream job and that from there I am able to learn and grow in one place without having to jump all around from company to company to figure out where I want my career path to lead.

And with that I am going to make my best effort to no longer use the word “job” and start using the word “career” there is a big difference and I think that we should start treating them as such.

A “job” pays your bills is a day to day and gets you buy. A “career” builds and grows, it fills a purpose in your life and even when you are tired you love being there because of what it gives you. In a career I believe that as your bank account grows you grow as a person as well, you learn and expand.

There is no one occupation that is a “job” vs being a “career” YOU are what determines the difference. For example “Sale Associate” for me it was a job. It was a petty cat-fight of mundane and lack of a challenge “how did those fit you” type of labor. However for those who want to be store manager or a buyer working as a Sales Associate could see that as a great way to learn product knowledge and selling techniques to relate the customers and improve sell through for their company’s product and then move to manager and then buyer one day – they can grow and expand as their company does and they are forever learning!

So presently this Christmas what are you dong Travelers? Are you working just to get by? Do you have a “job”? That’s okay! We need jobs! Or do are you in your “career” even if in the beginning stages. No matter what it is know that it is YOU who makes the difference between the two. And if you are in the very beginning of your career it’s okay to feel a little insecure about what you are doing and it’s okay to get it wrong, that means you are growing. New mistakes = learning.

I will do another post on this later but for now take that and travel with it!

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

Webster's Dictionary defines the word Endurance as: "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially : the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity"

I have learned that in this industry Endurance is a must when holding out for what you really want. Sometimes your journey is longer than another's and it is the quick resolution of a friend, classmate, or worse enemy's speedy success to your "hurry up and wait" Freeway.

Ever feel like you are moving at a traffic jam pace when you are the only person on the road? That can happen in the industry, I'm sure the fashion industry is not the exception, when waiting out the job that you've been waiting for all your life. This is what I am currently experiencing and I have learned that there are two emotions that are only a waist of your time:

1. Jealousy
   
2. Guilt

Jealousy does nothing but burn a potential bridge and makes you more susceptible to a failed dream because instead of focusing on progressively moving along your Freeway you are too busy envying someone else's and it's a distraction. Often times I have found that when it comes to jealousy in the industry it's not even a matter of a common goal that is won over the other but a matter of who got to their dream first. Either way just remember grass is greener and there is always an equal transference of envy between the parties. You never know what the other person is envious of you for and you have to be willing to see the enviable in your own life, (with humility of course).

But just to flip this around, if you happen to be the person who is seeing this quick success don't give others a reason to feel down. Bridges burn both ways and it can hurt when you may need the very person you put down.

Now on to Guilt. There are times when we make decisions that we feel are the best decisions to build our careers at the time, and then....we wait. We get upset with ourselves for making these decisions and start to doubt everything which then leads to overall guilt for having chosen anything in the first place. We question if we made the right choice, create hypothetical situations for all sides of the initial decision and its outcome and then wonder if there is any way that we can change or speed up the process to make us feel better about our choices.

That doesn't always happen. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet. You make this choice because you felt it was the best choice you could make to build your career at the time. There is nothing wrong with that we all do it. But instead of getting all caught up in your head go do something productive!

I will give you a great example: My Story

Upon returning to LA from Ohio I received a job offer on the spot and decided to accept. I knew that I would have to wait for about 2.5 weeks before this position started and I was willing to take that risk. However two days before this position was to begin the one job at the one company I had been salivating to work for gave me a call to give me a chance, however accepting this position meant one thing: More waiting.

Let me break this down for you: More Waiting = Unemployed = Broke and Broker

But because this is where I want to be and my current "dream job" I chose to wait. I started loosing my mind. With friends all asking me about the first position I had to tell them "I gave it up for something else and I don't know when I start" I had no information for them, no start date no nothing, and I didn't have that information for myself! All I had was the choice that I made to turn down one for the other. Did I question myself? Sure, heck I still do, but I know that concerning where I want to go for my career this is best option.

So travelers no matter where you are on your Freeway be willing to "withstand hardship and adversity" especially when it becomes a "prolonged stressful...activity"! It will be all worth it in the end once you make it to that desired Point B.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

Guess what Travelers? I’m headed to Las Vegas right now to attend the MAGIC Trade Show! The Product Development dept sent out an email asking who would like to attend and I was chosen! But I almost bowed out of the spot. Let me tell you something in these last few days I have learned three very valuable lessons just in receiving this opportunity so read up:

1.) Have a great support system
2.) Make good connections outside of your comfort zone (Featherless Birds)
3.) In this economy an opportunity is an opportunity

Have a great support system: Like I said I almost didn’t take it. You see the opportunity is to work very closely with the Ed Hardy team however personal and travel expenses are not covered. For those of you on this journey with me already know that I am openly unemployed and have yet to find a source of income. I originally told the dept that if they found another student with the provision to attend to give them the opportunity over me. I instantly started to regret that statement. I texted a friend like “what do I do? I can’t afford it!!” She Tim Gunn’d me “Make it work!” I called my mother to run it by her and she said “You’re going so how much do you need? We can make it work” Being far from a trust fund baby (or adult for that matter) I knew this was a big deal. I had until noon the next day to give my answer but as soon as I got the go ahead from my mother I responded that I accepted the opportunity!

When traveling along your Freeway it’s best to have a good support system because I could have called a nay sayer who would only focus on my lack of finances and point out the possible negatives, but on this journey I have learned that positivity and opportunity go hand in hand. I know that if what I was trying to do was too unreasonable my system would have been honest with me about my ambitions.

Make good connections outside of your comfort zone: Sometime last year I wrote a post on AndspeakingofPink about expanding your circle and dispelling the term “birds of a feather flock together.” Here on this blog I call it “Connectors.”At FIDM for most of your term you will spend it with students who are in your same major, very rarely will you have the opportunity to mix with other majors, so you have to make the effort.

Just recently I applied to be a model for a photoshoot for the school and was introduced to the Public Communications dept at FIDM. All the brochures, invites, welcome packets come from them and they are amazing. Look at this work on past Debut Show publications:
It was in me exploring this dept that I met Kim Askew and learned that she the woman responsible for the official FIDM Twitter and Facebook pages as well as the Fashion Club website was familiar with my blog! That connect led to a seconding that I was a good choice to attend the trade show as they were looking for someone to blog about this experience. The real world is an integrated interacting one and the more we stay in our flocks the more we are likely to miss a great connector that leads to an invaluable opportunity.

Lastly, In this economy an opportunity is an opportunity: Travelers there is no way to sugar coat this, sometimes when you are awarded a great opportunity there will be someone there trying to take the air out of your tires. It may be out of jealousy, spite, or just plain closed mindedness but in the end it’s your choice to take advantage of an opportunity afforded to you and in the back of your mind remember – if they were offered the same opportunity 9 times out of 10 they would have taken it too.

You see all I have to do is mention the name Ed Hardy and watch the, for the lack of a better term, hate begin. I was even told by a fellow classmate maybe she was just stricter about what she allows herself to be exposed to when it comes to her career. Yeah like unemployment. In retrospect I understand what she is saying but let’s be honest. When it comes to relevance in the contemporary streetwear market Ed Hardy is at the tip top of the list. There has been few companies that have seen such a cult following and growth in a short amount of time like this one. As a soon to be graduate why would I not want to be a part of this in anyway I can on a platform of this international tradeshow? Just remember like in real life if someone lets the air out of your tires it may slow you down but it doesn’t keep you from moving.

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"

It's Market Week here in LA and that means that all the buyers come to the different showrooms to purchase product for their respective stores. I'm presently waiting on our fit model to arrive as we have a meeting with Nordstrom right now. I must tell you between all the printing, running to the fabric store and pattern makers (sometimes 3x's in one day) to see a product go from concept to presentation makes my time at FIDM worth it that much more. I always call my internship "my degree in action" and today it couldn't be any more true. I'm starving my feet are hurting in these heels and I couldn't be happier. Go for that desired Point B Travelers. Trust me it's worth it!

Happy Travels!

With the show only a few weeks away and in the heart of the quarter at school some things have to be put on the back burner, this blog being one of them. I will be back soon to update my thoughts on some great learning experiences as the Fashion Coordinator of this Benefits Fashion Show.

Until my return check out some great online publications:

• FutureClaw Magazine (here)
• PopAfricana (here)
• DijourMag (here)

Also peep the photo shoot I helped style for my internship @LA2Day Magazine! Follow me on Twitter and get my updates on FIDM and the show!

Happy Travels!

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back. No Fear, Just DIVA!"