Making My Fashion Dreams Come True: Welcome To My Blog!
I’ve never considered myself much of a writer, but here we are! Maybe my inner Carrie Bradshaw is coming out. How did we get here? Let’s go down the rabbit hole.
A Bit About Me
I’ve been a fashion lover ever since I was a child, and some of my earliest memories revolve around clothes. I remember pink being the designated color that my Mom would dress me in, and my twin sister’s was purple, blue, or green. I also remember taking a t-shirt and trying to tape a sequin sash to it as a gift for my sister. However, the most vivid memory related to fashion that I have from childhood took place when I was 8 years old.
Around my 8th birthday, my sister & I were absolutely OBSESSED with American Girl dolls. My parents knew this and decided to take us to New York City (including my older brother) so we could visit the store. This was a BIG DEAL for us because we were not frequent travelers. As a fashionista, I knew I needed a cute outfit, so we went to the GAP kids store. GAP was still pricey for my parents, but they wanted to get me an outfit for my birthday. As we walked in, I saw a mannequin with the most beautiful outfit: coral velour sweatpants, a light pink short-sleeve tee with little coral seahorses imprinted all over, and a striped coral and light pink loose tank layered on top. My Mom graciously bought it for me, and I wore it to the American Girl Doll store in NYC. I remember feeling like a superstar.
8 Year Old Sammie slaying in the NYC American Girl Doll Store
Why I Love/Hate Fashion
That’s why I love fashion. A good outfit can give anyone an immediate confidence boost, which is so special. Renowned Fashion Stylist to the stars, Karla Welch said it best in her masterclass. She explained that clothing is a tool to face the world with. It gives off a first impression before you have the chance to say anything. It can also give the person wearing the clothes a boost in spirits. She also expressed that clothing isn’t everything, but there is power in it. And I couldn’t agree more.
However, I didn’t always love fashion. At times I’ve struggled with its materialistic nature, and its ability to make socioeconomic classes very apparent. I remember as a child, a mom of a girl in my class commenting to my mom about my sister & me wearing 'fake uggs’. Or I think about how desperately I wanted a North Face fleece jacket to fit in with the cool kids at school. Thinking back to those times, it makes me sad to think in order for me to feel like I fit in, I needed ‘brand name’ items. But I’m sure this still happens today, and unfortunately, it’s the nature of the beast.
The Power of Fashion
When I was in college, I wasn’t super interested in fashion. Looking back, I still loved it, but I was broke (most college students are) and could not even imagine spending much money on clothes. I studied Marketing, which I liked, and got good grades in, but once I graduated, I kept feeling called to work in fashion.
Sammie in college
Before finding a job, my two college besties & I took a trip to Los Angeles, and I was continually amazed by all the style inspo I was seeing. While walking through Beverly Hills, one friend pointed out Favorite Daughter, a chic clothing line created by Erin & Sara Foster. As soon as I walked in, I was transported to my dream style. The store was filled with chic, effortless, and unique clothing, and I wanted it all. Unfortunately, out of my price range (remember I was a broke recent grad without a job), but this lit a fire inside of me.
Sammie Trying To Be Fashionable In LA
Instead of working in Marketing, I took a job as a sales associate at a local fashion boutique. It is here where I truly discovered the power of fashion. I worked with and was surrounded by women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who knew the fundamentals of fashion and were graciously willing to share it with an eager & curious 22-year-old, who wanted to work in fashion. Over time, working with clients all day every day, I slowly built up my knowledge & confidence as a Fashion Stylist.
One of the best parts about being a Fashion Stylist is seeing how a woman’s confidence & energy can change by wearing the right clothes for her. It’s the most magical thing seeing a woman feel so empowered. Occasionally, I will get the opportunity to dress someone who is going through a difficult time in their life, and I often will hear them say “this has made my day” or “you don’t know how much I needed this”. That is the power of fashion.
Sammie At Work As A Sales Associate/Stylist
Making My Dreams Come True
I am now at the point of figuring out my next steps in life. At this point, I know one thing for sure… I want to continue to work in fashion. My biggest dream is to be the host of a fashion TV show (I basically want to be the female Tan France), so let’s manifest it for me! One of my other dreams has always been to work in the fashion editorial world as a Fashion Editor, so this blog is helping me dip my toes into that area of fashion.
What will I be writing about? Everything and anything fashion-related that interests me. I may write about trends, brands, my top clothing picks, celebrity fashion, runway fashion, style tips, and more.
I will try to write as much as possible and share my thoughts on all things fashion! In the meantime, you can stay up-to-date with me on my TikTok & Instagram (both @sammie.lena). I post all the time!
All my best,
Sammie
