Artist Statement

My work is a testament to the power of creativity and the beauty that can be found in the unexpected qualities within me. I made the decision to focus on my craftsmanship and unique fashion designs in my work. This is because I wanted to focus on the parts of my work that made it mine instead of trying to be an artist I wasn’t. This is why I decided to embrace fashion and use this as an art form to express how I feel about my imperfections. Because of my struggle with learning disabilities, school has always been a challenge. Though I've learned to value my differences, that wasn't always the case. I have struggled with feeling inferior to my peers and a lack of belonging. When I initially learned about fashion, it gave me a sense of purpose. Through fashion, I was recognized for my craft and received validation that I had never received from my academic endeavors. Finally feeling deserving of something made me want to keep demonstrating my value. As a result, I developed a strict standard for each piece I produced. As I began to look inward at the person I was evolving into, I realized how valuable and gifted I was despite my learning impairments. I suddenly realized that I didn't hate myself for being different; instead, I loved the person my limitations had made me. I wanted to begin using my clothing to express this state of change. I began to appreciate the beauty and importance of my fashion's imperfections. Rather than viewing my disabilities as a hindrance, I have leveraged them to my advantage by embracing my distinctive outlook on the world. It represents a celebration of imperfection and a rejection of society's narrow definitions of worth.