Scribbles

As you have probably noticed lately, I haven’t been writing much on the blog.  It’s not that I haven’t been inspired or lacking ideas but just decided to take some time off and really look into myself for this piece I wanted to write to my readers. So, here it goes…

Back in December, I received a phone call from 417 Magazine, a local publication in my area.  I was informed that I was nominated as one of six best-dressed individuals in the City.  I was excited, as this was one of the highest honors that I have ever received. This ‘Best Dressed’ title also came with a chance to walk the Runway at the local event called Fashionation (which was a really fun experience).

All of the exposure from this nomination made me reflect upon what it means to have style and how it makes me feel as an individual.  I can remember growing up, when fashion wasn’t always at the forefront of my individuality. I loved sports, video games, and Batman.  I wore the clothes my parents bought for me every year.  My first real experience with finding what I wanted to wear began in middle school – when you would have seen me pimped out in Tommy Hilfiger and Jncos.

In high school, I began to realize that clothing and style could really show someone’s personality and it would be a factor in how he or she would get noticed. I was what I like to call a “bro” at this point in my life. This is when I started to fit in with trends of scenes like Abercrombie and Hollister.  I wanted to look like preppy, but rugged. I was wearing clothes that looked like they had been worn out.  It wasn’t until the end of my high school era that I shed my “bro-ness” and began thrifting.

College was an eye-opening experience – I saw how lazy people could really dress.  I remember a former co-worker at an old job I had tell me to buy sweatshirts, sweatpants and Adidas runner pants because that’s what people wore in college.

He was totally right, as this was common attire, along with pajama pants, worn by my fellow classmates.  This was when I began to find myself as wanting to make something more out of myself through my wardrobe.

I didn’t want to go to class dressed like I had just rolled out of bed. I wanted to show respect not only for my teachers and classmates but, also for myself. I wanted to dress better and feel good about myself as well.

So, I was thrifting and buying pieces for my wardrobe that I felt were important to me.  I started ironing and laying out my clothes every night, making sure each piece coordinated with the other (which I STILL do).  I got noticed by teachers and classmates and was asked often about where I got my clothes, where I shopped, and how much time I invested in preparing before school.

Since then, fashion has been something I’ve been interested in and has continued to this very day.  Fashion keeps my mind and creativity constantly booming with ideas.  I think one of the best things in life is to find something you are truly interested in and making something out of it be it fashion, music, art, teaching – whatever really makes you feel good.  Hopefully, this allows my readers to think about what is important to them and to not give up on their dreams and what truly makes them happy.

Classically Yours,

ZRH