To Whom I Aspire To Be by Ruth

To Whom I Aspire To Be by Ruth - December 2017 Scholarship Essay

Behind the elegantly dressed models and hardworking hands it took to prepare the beautiful piece, there is a story of an artist who followed their calling into the fashion industry. My personal story is a family’s heart for fashion and art which can be traced back for generations. In Belgium, my grandfather worked as a government official while his wife, worked as a seamstress for private schools. My grandmother and her staff designed and styled the finest clothes for children. Her love for clothes extended beyond a job, instilling an undeniable talent into our family. Even before she passed away, she would make me and my siblings’ hats and bags, which we cherish until this day. Although it wasn’t Dolce & Gabbana, her elegance in creating custom made clothing could exceed any high-priced brand in today’s society. Giselle Kabamba, my grandmother’s eldest daughter, also adopted the skill of design. From patterns to bright colors to extreme designs, my mother executed being a young fashion designer and labored until she opened her own store. It was not long before a five-year-old was peeking around the corner in hopes of one day making her own designs. From the moment I stepped into the clothing store, the colors and patterns caught my eye. I would stand on my tippy toes or push some furniture close enough to touch the clothes I admired! There was a fire burning in my heart that could not be extinguished.
Over the years, the passion has only continued to deepen for fashion. From an early age, I have not been afraid to pick outfits for other people, encourage them to change, and take the extra step of styling them. When I was 11-years-old, my parents and I went to the mall to buy some new clothes for my mother. While I was in the store, I noticed a middle-aged woman struggling to find something to wear. I introduced myself to her and asked her what she liked to wear so I could help her pick out a stunning outfit for a wedding. I will always cherish this memory because it was the first time an individual paid me for helping them when I was only happy to share my gift with her.
I’ve been perfecting my craft the majority of my life, focusing on improving my skills as a stylist and making time for sketching. From scanning YouTube channels to filling up sketchbooks, my approach to evaluation has transformed by learning more about drawing, patterns, sewing, and styling. When I hit a creative wall or feeling discouraged, the people who continue to inspire me and keep me going strong are my mother and grandmother. I wish to emulate and execute qualities such as self-assurance, integrity, optimism, and positivity.
With time, persistence ,and faith I will strengthen my time management skills and my ability to multi-task. I have confidence that I will continue to develop my work ethic in order to make my wildest dreams come true. I will go above and beyond to find opportunities and learn from my experiences in order to fully explore the industry. Unlike any other interest or passion, fashion makes me want to inspire others with what I create. In order to have my own place in the fashion world, it will be up to me to never lose heart in what I truly believe in and dedicate my legacy to inspiring, learning, and selflessly giving to others.