(Written by Hallie Markert)
It has come to my attention over the past few years that people assume that the fashion industry and everyone involved is narcissistic or materialistic. I have even faced personal criticism that was assumed because of my involvement in fashion I too hold these qualities.
Every time I hear comments, I laugh at their quick judgments. “How can you be so dependent on material things when you’ve literally lost everything you had?”
July of 2010, I was an upcoming high school senior enjoying the last glimpse of a carefree summer with my best friend, Maggie. With our last year quickly approaching, we were excited about all of the changes that would take place. Little did I know, my life was already changing. As we lay outside in Maggie’s backyard, my phone rang. I expected my mom to ask if I would be home for dinner.
Instead her trembling voice hesitated to tell me that there was no need to rush home; my childhood home was engulfed in flames.
Left with no home, no physical possessions, we moved to my grandparents’ house. It took weeks for the actuality of the devastation to sink in. I was strong-willed, and I wanted to be supportive for my mom in the only way I knew possible. The transition was difficult; it was so challenging that it led to a broken marriage.
Not only was it strenuous attempting to rebuild my home life, but also I struggled to prepare to make my own path after high school, and as a first-generation college student I was going in blind. At the time, it seemed as if we were left with nothing. But we had support in community, faith that greater things were to come, and a strong will to push forward and make a new home life for ourselves.
It would be expected that most families would take time to grieve and recover, but we continued to live our daily lives. Looking back, I realize that I was avoiding facing the vulnerable reality of what it truly meant to lose the comfort of home and having to rebuild something totally new. I faced repercussions from this during my first couple of years of college.
In 2010, I wasn’t even sure if I would be able to go to college due to our financial circumstances, especially following the fire. I used this as motivation to push through, make decent grades, stay involved in extracurricular activities, and show that my circumstances wouldn’t stop me from obtaining an education and achieving my dreams.
For me, that meant receiving a Bachelors of Business Administration from UGA’s Terry College of Business.
When I first began attending the University of Georgia, I found my passion in producing fashion shows. It wasn’t the clothes or the glamour that attracted me to the industry; it’s the opportunity for designers who have struggles of their own to showcase what inspires them through their art form.
It is beautiful that you can express who you are from how you clothe your body. Every detail evokes an emotion that represents who you want to be perceived as. With my personal style, I typically choose to wear pieces that are minimalist yet contemporary. I try to create a foundation for a professional yet cutting-edge personality. It gives me confidence so I can be ambitious and confident in my accomplishments.
After graduation, I desire to continue to work in presenting fashion designers’ brands and their personal works. I hope that through my personal accomplishments I can give hope to other students that have trying experiences that they feel is a roadblock to an education. I have been blessed with my experience at UGA.
I believe that others deserve that same privilege and need support in their pursuits. No matter where you have been or where you come from, you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Your experiences and your background should not become who you are; however, you should use them to motivate you and show others what you are more than capable of accomplishing.
