I feel as though life is moving at 100 mph right now. Trying my best to keep up has been exhausting at times, but fun as well! I recently got selected to participate in Des Moines very first fashion week. I’m so excited to be a part of this show, but also very nervous and anxious. I’m not entirely convinced that my designs are up to par with the others in this show. I’m almost positive they’re not, but I’m still going to go out there and show them what I got. It’s the only way I’m going to motivate and push myself to get better.
This show came around the same time as another big project I’m working with local boutiques and designers from around the city. Together we are teaming up with a local Aveda salon and local models to produce a small holiday fashion video. I volunteered to help with the film portion of this project because I’m also trying to gain as much experience as I can with video editing. Along with designing, I also have a passion for film. Although I am a beginner in all film related avenues, I do have an ambition to create short fashion films as well as other short films too. You’ll just have to stay tuned for more on that later down the road.
Along with fashion week and this video project, I also got promoted to a new position at my full time job with Farmers Mutual Hail. For the past 2 ½ years I’ve worked in the underwriting dept as an Associate Insurance Specialist, and starting next week I make the jump to the agency dept as an Agency Specialist. I’m really excited to start something new and expand my career there. This company has been the best company I’ve ever worked for because they allow growth in the workplace and they also look after and treat their employees very well. This company has great moral, and I’m blessed to have a great job that supports and takes care of me as I venture off with all my fashion activities.
Although life is crazy with all the changes and projects I’m working on, it’s the most motivated I’ve been in a long time. It feels good to work towards bigger and better things. At times I’ve had doubts in myself and what I was doing with my life. I think everyone goes through those blue periods where the elements in their lives just don’t mesh with their expectations. Trust me, I’ve had those moments many times; they were pretty much a monthly occurrence. I just had always thought I’d be more established at my age then what I am, but I had to stop comparing myself to the success of others. Easier said than done, especially in this social media crazed day, but once I started to block off those thoughts and just focus on myself, my talents, and what I needed to work on, things got easier. I don’t need to stress myself out with the competition of who has more success or happiness on social media. I know my worth. I know my abilities. I know what I want in life, what I need to work towards, and where I want to end up. I’ll get there. I got this.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."-Teddy Roosevelt
This is one of the most motivating quotes I've ever read...it's definitely been my motto these past couple of years.
I've traveled a lot in the past 2-3 years for fashion shows because of the lack in opportunities here, but that now has changed because I'm creating my own shows right here in Des Moines.
I've taken a lot of the knowledge and experience from my past shows, and have put it to good use. I put on a small show last year, and it turned out very well. I'm hoping to do even better this year.
I've teamed up with the Des Moines Social Club and Peak Agency again, and I've also been in contact with local designers and fashion students from Dmacc and ISU!
This show will be bigger than last year; there's double the amount of designers and boutiques involved which is amazing!!! The venue space has doubled, and I'm hoping to support a local charity with ticket sales. The comparison from this show to last year's is unbelievable.
I'm hoping I can make these Fashion Riot shows an annual event. I love designing, but I also love event planning. It's incredible to see the growth in all my fashion endeavors; I'm extremely proud of the work I've put into everything so far.
That quote is spot on....it's important to do all you can with where you are. Because if you can create great things from here can you imagine what you'll achieve later down the road?! You just got to stay focused and motivated to keep progressing. Also keep yourself surrounded by those who only want the best for you. Those people are also the foundation for success! :)
-Amber XOXO
It's always exciting to start a brand new year! I love setting new goals and reinventing myself. I have a lot of high expectations this year for AVCD, and although the new year for my clothing line doesnt technically start til Feb, it's never too early to plan ahead!
So I took some time off this past year when it came to fashion shows. I didnt go anywhere in 2015. Kinda bummed me out, but at the same time I did end up coordinating and producing my own fashion show in Des Moines! That was a huge accomplishment in my eyes. I got to see myself grow as a designer, but also as an event planner and business woman...that was the highlight of my year.
This year is going to be a bit busier...I have set some pretty high goals. I know I've said this before, but I've always had this vision of how I want AVCD to run and slowly I know I'm getting there. This is so much more than just making clothes. I want to be a fashion designer. I want people to know me by what I create and and produce.
So for this year, it's all about quality. Quality designs, quality photos, and quality videos. I also want to document my journey more, and I want to travel to a new city for a fashion show. I want to keep pushing myself into newer and bigger opportunities. I'm so excited for 2016. I feel good about my goals, and I feel more confident and motivated than I've ever felt. I'm ready to rock this new year :)
- Amber xoxo
Here's some of my favorites from 2015 :)
