Originally from San Francisco it’s been six years since I moved to Paris! Here, I teach, write and provide fashion experiences helping people go beyond what we think we know about fashion, to obtain a deeper understanding of clothing, where it comes and it’s impact in our society.
After getting my MBA and spending 15 Years in Sales, Marketing and Consumer Products for Fortune 500 companies I decided to move to Paris the first time in 2001 slowly letting the lights, the textures and freedom of being in France transport me into other career possibilities. Fusing creativity with my strong sense of social responsibility, I developed an ecommerce site and began designing fair trade bags and travel accessories for the environmentally conscious traveler. Eventually, I found myself working closely with companies like Mary Francis Bags, eLUXURY.com and Balenciaga inspired designer Keneuoe, advanced my new passion for design.
Using my design skills as a stylist in 2009, I worked with diverse celebrity personalities like Ahmed Hassan of HDTV, award-winning singer, Sila Mutungi, and technology entrepreneur and author Eric Ries. Designing, reconstructing and upcycling clothing to meet client needs inspired me to help others think and act differently about consumption, encouraging people to think critically about what they buy and how they use clothing. I designed collections minimizing the use of handmade fibers by utilizing recycled and biodegradable materials in my garments – less waste, less excess, more versatility.
With masters training in business from Golden Gate University and fashion at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, now working in Paris, I love my more focused life. Over time I learned that the drive to sustainability, no matter how good it seems to be for the planet, has costs. Traveling from San Francisco to Bamako to Paris, I searched for the ideal formula to make a difference in the world but through my transition from fashionista to minimalista, I ended up finding the perfect formula for happiness right where I was.
Below are a few of the companies I’ve worked with on various fashion education projects and experiences since moving to Paris. To collaborate or connect, feel free to email me here.
