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 such as 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 impactful advice gathered from their individualistic ventures in beauty and creative sectors.

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 results I can recall were an upcycled clothing line and a styling agency owned exclusively by college students.

The experience cultivated my self-belief and direction towards fashion. I was able to network with others in my age group who were also passionate about forging a future in the industry. It was an unforgettable experience. I still maintain relations with my contacts today, as they are attending prestigious schools such as Fashion Institute of Technology and Parsons School of Design. I am looking forward to utilizing their talents in building my future brand, many of them being talented and aspiring designers. 

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