Selflessly generous, timelessly stylish, and endlessly thoughtful don’t even scratch the surface of ways to describe the irreplaceable woman that was my grandmother. With every accomplishment and every milestone comes a bittersweet moment as I’m unable to share it with her.
The opportunity to study fashion abroad means so much to me as it’s a dream my grandmother and I shared. After nearly studying design in France, she never seemed to kick her passion for travel and style and I gratefully feel as though I inherited both.
Because I know she would love to share this adventure with me, I decided to bring her along.
A huge thank you to a friend and incredible artist, Mackenzie Looft for bringing to life this tribute to my Gramalia; a pair of travel sneakers embellished with her flower. Even traveling here by myself, I never feel alone with my roses.
It fills my heart so fully to step off the plane across the ocean, stroll down Oxford street and into shops, meet new friends from around the world, attend classes at one of the best fashion colleges in the world, and find happiness down every endearing avenue with grandma there for every step.
One of the many reasons I love fashion is the sheer connectivity and sense of expression it inspires. I learned so much about fashion from my grandmother and sharing that passion is something I will always and truly hold dear. The foundation for my love affair was build on memories throughout my childhood, from an attempt (and admitted failure) at sewing lessons to attending my first New York Fashion Week together.
As I move forward in my career, I hope she is proud of how far I have come from my shiny little green notebook of designs and reviews.
Gramalia, I cannot wait to see all the places we will go together. I love you.
There’s such a lot of world to see -Moon River
