Host
So tell me honestly — how did you actually break into the industry? There's so much talk about connections and nepotism these days.
Designer
Honestly, I didn't have any of that. I'm completely self-made — no family name, no famous mentor, nothing handed to me.
Host
That's rare. Fashion has a reputation for being a pretty cutthroat industry.
Designer
It really is. I remember feeling completely in over my head during my first internship — I had no idea what I was doing.
Host
How did you eventually get your foot in the door?
Designer
An unpaid internship, honestly. It wasn't glamorous, but it was enough to prove myself with actual work, not just talk.
Host
A lot of people assume success in fashion depends on who your parents know — pulling strings, that kind of thing.
Designer
Sure, some people definitely get ahead that way. But I think the industry respects you more when you make a name for yourself through the work itself.
Host
You're clearly determined — was that always part of your personality, even before fashion?
Designer
Completely. Even as a kid I was incredibly ambitious. My mom used to say I was borderline stubborn about getting what I wanted.
Host
There's something almost cunning about how you position your brand against competitors, if I'm honest.
Designer
(laughs) I'll take that as a compliment. You have to be a little strategic in this business.
Host
Your personal style is so polished and put-together — was that always effortless for you, or did it take work?
Designer
Definitely took work. I used to dress a lot more edgy and unpolished before I really found my aesthetic.
Host
Last question — do you think having connections still matters, even for someone as self-made as you?
Designer
Of course it matters. But I think talent gets you noticed, and connections just help you keep the door open once you're already there.
