How and when did you decide you wanted to pursue fashion design as a career. In your own words, how did you break into the fashion industry and help establish yourself professionally?

As long as I can remember wanting to be anything professionally, I wanted to be a photographer, like my father. As a teenager I was always running around with my camera or in the darkroom. It was at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) that I found my interest in fashion. I fell in love with learning how to make clothes with my hands.

In terms of inspiring your design and/or your business—what was a key turning point in your education (university or otherwise, if you didn’t study undergrad) that has influenced you to this day?

You can learn how to make clothes and how to illustrate them in school. You cannot learn what it takes to run a fashion business until you actually do it. You have to be either crazy or naïve to start your own fashion business. I was naïve, thank god.

What is your relationship with Joe’s Blackbook, and—in your own words—how does this scholarship competition affect fashion students?

I participated as a Judge for the Scholarship for first time in 2013. Since then I've stayed involved in many ways — as a Judge in a couple other years, donating RG pieces to the Auction to fundraise for the Scholarship, participating as a panelist for the Joe's Blackbook Salon, to name a few. Plus, I've gotten a lot of my interns through the Scholarship! These students are some of the best emerging talent.

And I just love everyone on the Joe's Blackbook team!

What advice do you have for rising fashion designers and creatives looking to break into the fashion industry (or the creative arts in general)?

Advice is so hard to give. Everyone needs different advice, depending on who they are and what they want to do. Make sure you love whatever you choose to do. If you stop loving it, do something else. Let your dreams lead you and not your fears.

How and when did you decide you wanted to pursue fashion design as a career. In your own words, how did you break into the fashion industry and help establish yourself professionally?

I became interested in fashion during my studies at the Academy in Antwerp. I actually did not really know anything about fashion. I just enjoyed creating and communicating my story. Fashion was just a great medium for me to work with I realized. When I finally graduated there I did not really wanted to become a "fashion designer”. I wanted to be a creative in a broader sense.

I was able to build experiences from working at luxury and sports companies, as well as travelling. All of this is shaping my current and future plans with my own label and other side projects.

In terms of inspiring your design and/or your business—what was a key turning point in your education (university or otherwise, if you didn’t study undergrad) that has influenced you to this day?

A sense of freedom that has always been a main driver to get somewhere. Especially during my time in Antwerp and living in Barcelona. This freedom still is crucial.
I have always been intrigued by the future and the possibility that opportunities arise from ideas and looking beyond. That can not happen without a sense a freedom. I look for it in art, music, sports.

What is your relationship with Joe’s Blackbook, and—in your own words—how does this scholarship competition affect fashion students?

I have known Joe since 2013 when he asked me to be a Judge for the Joe’s Blackbook Scholarship. We have become good friends and Joe connected me to Under Armour where I was most recently leading UAS (Under Armour Sportswear). The Scholarship has become one of the premier events bringing the fashion community together to support the next generation of emerging talent. And, I have hired interns through the process as the talent is exceptional. This is the only scholarship that I know of where the students present their work to industry veterans which enables them to get valuable feedback as well as make connections that will give them a jump-start on their careers.

What advice do you have for rising fashion designers and creatives looking to break into the fashion industry (or the creative arts in general)?

Disrupt now more then ever. The identity crisis that is currently a challenge for a lot of industries can only be dealt by becoming so absolutely free that your very existence as an artist is an act of rebellion. Camus was on point then and is more relevant then ever.

How and when did you decide you wanted to pursue fashion design as a career. In your own words, how did you break into the fashion industry and help establish yourself professionally?

It was an accident. I worked as an architect, but one day I got the opportunity to design clothes instead of buildings.

In terms of inspiring your design and/or your business—what was a key turning point in your education (university or otherwise, if you didn’t study undergrad) that has influenced you to this day?

I was lucky to have had great professors who challeInged me to look outside the box. This is key. The other similar learning was and is when travel.

What is your relationship with Joe’s Blackbook, and—in your own words—how does this scholarship competition affect fashion students?

I became involved with the Scholarship as a Judge in its very first year. I've taught at Parsons as well, so I understand how valuable the opportunities that Joe's Blackbook Scholarship provides are for students. It's a great way for employers and designers to connect with candidates for internships and jobs.

What advice do you have for rising fashion designers and creatives looking to break into the fashion industry (or the creative arts in general)?

Be humble but believe in yourself. Find what is true you and be honest about it. Never believe the hype. Know that you will always compromise because if you don't, then you are not a designer. Read the newspaper everyday!

How and when did you decide you wanted to pursue fashion design as a career. In your own words, how did you break into the fashion industry and help establish yourself professionally?

I had a craving for it as early as highschool. When I started designing clothes in my early 20’s a sort of just dove in head first.

In terms of inspiring your design and/or your business—what was a key turning point in your education (university or otherwise, if you didn’t study undergrad) that has influenced you to this day?

My fashion education was mostly from experience—learning by doing.

What is your relationship with Joe’s Blackbook, and—in your own words—how does this scholarship competition affect fashion students?

I was a Judge for the 2015 Scholarship. The level of talent showcased is great and its always exciting to meet designers at the beginning of their careers.

What advice do you have for rising fashion designers and creatives looking to break into the fashion industry (or the creative arts in general)?

I think you have to be really engaged in culture… not just in your specific field but in all creative fields—from music to art to fashion.