One thing I can say is that this industry will make you get some thick skin. In the beginning of my fashion journey I was very shy, didn’t want to do any public speaking but I know in order to get where I want to go I have to do things that are going to take me out of my comfort zone. I mean that’s how you grow right?
So there was this one time that I curated a fashion show for a women's event. The crowd was already a little stale but showcase some bomb clothes and some trending music normally can brighten up the room. Not this time! It was a hard recovery for me to win this crowd over. By the end of my segment I just let it go and wanted to enjoy the rest of the event.
Fast forward to the next Monday, I got a call during work from bae about how his homegirl, homegirls thought that I was just doing too much and that I was so EXTRA. One, I was thinking why am I even hearing about this, as a boyfriend he should have shut that down, but that's a different conversation for another post…
Once we got off the phone my little feelings were so hurt. I remember going into the bathroom at work crying because up to that point I thought that everyone loved me and my work!
I called some friends for comfort. All of them gave me some words of encouragement but the one conversation stood out the most was the one I had with Bojack, who is also a fashion stylist and photographer in the area. When I mentioned to him that they called me extra he said “ You should’ve told them EXTRA EXTRA, Read all about it!” He spoke about taking the bad and making it into a positive and including that into your creativity. I’m glad that conversation still sticks with me today.
Let’s fast forward to 2020, and I'm reading Uncloned Marketing by Audria Richmond, she mentions that she is the queen of extra. She states that people will tell you that you are too much, and that’s a sign that you’re doing something right!
I came in this game thinking that everyone was going to like me. NO MA’AM, NO SIR! No they are not but you will thrive off the people who do root for you! I thank God for situations like this, that have made me grow and become more confident in who I am as a person and in my work.
Outfit Details
Hat- ASOS.com
Dress- New York and Company
Belt- White House Black Market
Shoes- ASOS.com
Photos by @degratephotography
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