Caroline,

I have a thought for you. Last night I was watching a tape I had made of Fashiontrance. They featured Jill Sanders' Spring 2005 line. AS a word of encouragement to you, she sold her first collection of clothes to Bloomingdale's when she was 15. If you've got the talent, you'll go far. Esteban Cortazar was featured there too, and he did his first runway show at 22. I like something he said, "It's not about the age, it's about the talent."

And finally. A few months ago, I was sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear if a piece I had submitted for a new Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology would make the final cut. I hated waiting, and wondering. I sent an email to the sci-fi/fantasy author Orson Scott Card--we're good acquaintances--and told him how I was worrying, wondering if the national people would think my piece was good enough to use. He gave me the best answer ever--this is from a man who has won every major award in his field, and some of them twice--"Never worry about if you're work is good enough for them. Just wonder whether they're smart enough to use your work." That's kept me going for a long time. And yes I did make the final cut.

Congrats Matthelm on making the final cut!! Thats somthing to be super proud of
Have a nice day!
H.F.D

Thank you so much Matthelm! Sometimes, as strange as this may sound, I think that maybe there is something inside me that could give me the drive to go very far in fashion. I am so unbelievable passionate about it, and I can't picture myself doing anything else. I truly do hate it when people judge others on their age. Age is just a number, and it has nothing to do with talent.

Congrats on making the cut! That is so amazing, you definitly deserved! It's amazing that you are acquainted with Orson Scott Card, his advice sounds wonderful.

I mean this sincerely, thank you a ton for being so supportive and helpful, it really means a lot to me. You have helped me to figure out that if I have the drive and the ability, I can really do well. I am leaving tomorrow afternoon for NYC, and I am so excited to have such a chance to learn more about the fashion world, I know there isn't any other place I would rather be.

Have a fabulous day!
-Caroline

Caroline,

If you can't see yourself doing anything else besides fashion that's great. It's a huge start. They say to follow your passion, and you'll always be happy. I got to know Orson Scott Card when I manage a book department at a local department store and I was able to arrange to bring him in for a book signing for his book "Lost Boys." (I was a big fan of his back then as well.) He was so impressed by the number of people I was able to bring in that everytime he's done a signing, I've taken books to him, he's remembered me.

Caroline, now that you say I've given you the push to follow fashion, I want to give you another piece of advice. Because you are young, there may be a chance that as you move foward in your life, you'll find something that motivates you and touches you even more deeply than fashion. If you find that, don't be afraid to move in that new direction, and don't beat yourself up for thinking you've wasted all your time following fashion. It's just a matter of growing and moving. I'm not saying it will happen, but if it does, keep that in mind. Okay? Hope you have great fun in NYC, and let us know all about it when you get back.

More great advice! In the case that I change my mind in the furture, I'm sure that my experiences and work in fashion will still be helpful. Check out my other thread to read about my trip, I didn't write much, but I will after people reply.
Thank you again for all of the inspiration.

Have a fabulous day!
-CAroline