A large percent of the projects I’ve worked on over the last several years has been alterations on traditional wedding gowns. While I love the glitter and glamour, I have decided I need to scale back on the amount pretty white ballgowns. I realized I had gotten to a point where they all felt so similar, and it is harder to be enthusiastic about a dress design you have already altered for 3 other brides. I always loved the work I do and I didn’t want to bring ANY of that negativity into my client relationships. I have chosen to run my own business because I value the creative freedom and personal satisfaction that it gives me. I am so grateful to the friends and family whose support allows me to reinvent my business. I made the decision to explore new directions; to take a journey by saying yes to new opportunities and see where they lead. 

This first opportunity has come through Modified Style, a program that promotes sustainable fashion awareness. They challenge designers to create new garments from discarded and donated fabric. I participated last year with a single entry and was amazed by the innovative ways that other designers used their fabric pieces. 

Here we go; I’m all in. I’ve signed up in the Professional Category-Collection, which means I will be asked to create a mini-collection of 4 looks from the materials I’m provided. Fabrics will be distributed at the Sustainable Fashion Forum event kicking off Portland’s Design Week. What will I be making from the interesting fabrics will I be given, probably not a white ballgown!