I decided if it was going to be a mistake to come to New York and try and make a career in fashion, then it was going to be my mistake... But the American dream is real. I'm living it.
I make 98% of my collection in New York City and am generating jobs, so fashion isn't just frivolous for me. I understand levity about it. I also understand the depth of it.
When you get into fashion, when you're not yet working in fashion, you have this idea about what the fashion world is: that it's very glamorous, it's the red carpet, it's very editorial. But really, what you don't understand until you get into it, is what goes on the rest of the time, which is just hard work. Besides passion and dedication, it's the grit. How long are you willing to be in it to become successful?
