EARTH BODY

How did you become interested in fashion design?
This question is very important to me personally because it touches on the topic of identity. I have always been drawn to art and creativity—something you often hear from creatives. It is my strength, and as I grow older, I’ve come to realize it is my superpower. Designing and creating come naturally to me, and they bring me happiness—simply put. These pursuits also keep me engaged, which is essential since I can lose interest quite easily.Everyone else in my family, as you might have guessed, are all science majors. Growing up, I often felt caught in a battle of identity. Following the path everyone else was taking would have been the safe choice. However, I chose to follow my passion. Designing and fashion became my chosen medium. It’s something I fought for, and when I was faced with the possibility of losing it, I realized it was the one thing I cared about and loved doing most.

What's your favorite thing about being a fashion designer?
What a great question! My favorite thing is being able to create something new and different that has never been created before—that’s super exciting. It's a part of my personality overall. I am a forward thinker, so anything new is a joy to me. I do have to mention my second favorite thing about being a fashion designer: it's being able to offer something to someone else and seeing it be of use to them. Making people feel good and happy is something that will always be a driving force for me.

What's your design philosophy?
My design philosophy centers on reinvention and invention. I feel as though I have an endless stream of ideas—my mind is a continuous flow of new concepts in design and creative writing. I embrace change, which aligns seamlessly with my philosophy. The extent of reinvention or invention depends on finding the perfect balance of change required for each unique situation.

Who are your design influences?
When I hear this question, I think of the late Karl Lagerfeld. Looking through his designs, I gain a sense and understanding of his design process, which I can relate to. The ability to visually conceptualize designs and navigate the process of refining them—changing, adding, or removing elements—while making them look exceptional in a short amount of time is something I excel at. By "exceptional," I mean creating a collection that brings excitement and joy, one that is new, modern, cohesive, and aligned with the brand identity.

How do you stay up-to-date with fashion trends?
Staying up-to-date with fashion trends is something I find effortless. If something aligns with who you are, it simply becomes a part of you. It's like being one with what you call the fashion trend—like water in a stream, seamlessly flowing. One becomes the other. Another analogy would be how Bruce Lee was one with his kinetic body; the flow comes from within.