Artist Awakening

A sea of dress forms fill the back seat of my car where I am reminded that I have been here before designing, but not finishing important creative work. Determined to complete the painting with lace dresses, I have accepted an invitation to showcase them at an Indonesian Cultural Fashion event in Philadelphia. Today, I will start to sew these dresses.

I sat with Clifton discussing music, culture and his desire to see beauty continue. He has been following my fashion journey for some time and has encouraged me many times when I have thought that the world does not need another pretty dress. I believe that fine fabrics and beautiful garments are magical and can create a sense of wonder.

I would love to create an Indonesian cultural performance where I can write the story and design some of the fashion costumes. This part of my fashion journey is going to focus on having fun being creative. The most important part is to trust my instance. This will require unlearning elements of the industry and to utilize my imagination as an artist instead.

Margit is not feeling well, so it was just Clifton and I for lunch. He is always encouraging me with my way of dress from the vintage hats to the little gloves. He appreciates that I keep this way of dressing alive. I also very much admire his fashion style.

I could wear this forest green combination. He shares the history of Baltimore in a way that I have never known and can only imagine through the story he shares with me.

This is actually the same restaurant that I go to with my former business school Professor Richard Trotter. I do love the style of the building.

My back seat with the sea of dress forms. These will be portable enough for me to take with me for museum and fashion cultural talks.