Starting at the age of 14, for two consecutive summers I attended IMG Fashion Camp in Bradenton, Florida. The program hosted a series of intimate seminars with luxury luminaries, a forum for professionals to dispense their fashion counsel. In 2018, self-starters Brandon Maxwell, Sally Lyndley, and Russell James held the stage, giving testimonies of successes and trials in their careers. In 2019, Karla Welch and Tracy Redway imparted critical wisdom and strategies drawn from their individual ventures in the industry. Each speaker impacted me with their passion and desire to encourage the next generation of fashion professionals. 

Throughout the course of the camp, attendees were sorted into breakout groups to develop an original brand or product. The projects were presented at the culmination of the week, complete with a business pitch, branding model, mood board and material sample. Some of the most memorable projects I can recall was an upcycled clothing line and a styling agency owned exclusively by college students.

The experience strongly cultivated my direction towards fashion. I was able to network with others in my age group who were also determined to forge a future in the industry. I still maintain relations with those contacts today, as they are attending schools such as Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design. It was an unforgettable experience. 

Below are images from a scrapbook I put together in 2018, documenting my experience.