Saturday Reflections: Finding My Fashion Voice in the Noise

It's Saturday morning in LA, just past 9 AM, and I'm people-watching from my favorite corner table at Bloom Coffee. There's something about weekend mornings here – the energy shifts from frantic student hustle to this dreamy, unhurried vibe that matches perfectly with my contemplative mood today.

Yesterday's critique session was... unexpected. Professor Winters, who rarely gives compliments, actually stopped mid-review of my ocean plastic fabric samples and said, "Mandy, there's a distinctive voice emerging in your work."

I've been turning that phrase over in my mind ever since – "distinctive voice."

It's funny because just as I've been noticing this evolution in how I handle obstacles and relationships this week, apparently it's showing up in my designs too. The collection I'm developing feels different from anything I've created before – less about following trends and more about expressing something authentic that only I can say.

This morning on my walk to the coffee shop, I found myself really seeing the city around me – the way light catches on glass buildings, how people express themselves through what they wear, the unexpected color combinations in street art. It's like my senses are suddenly dialed up to eleven, and I'm wondering if this heightened awareness is connected to that "presence" Tara mentioned yesterday.

The truth is, fashion has always been my language. Even before I could articulate who I was or what I wanted, I was speaking through my outfits. But somewhere along the way – maybe trying to get good grades or impress the right people – I started speaking in someone else's accent.

Now I'm rediscovering my own voice, both in my designs and in how I show up in the world. It's less polished sometimes, definitely more vulnerable, but unmistakably mine.

Emma texted earlier asking if I want to hit up that new exhibit at LACMA later, and instead of my usual "yes to everything" response, I actually checked in with myself first. Turns out what I really want today is some solo design time to explore this new direction. The old Mandy would have felt guilty about that – the evolving Mandy just responded honestly.

Small steps, right? But they're adding up to something that feels increasingly like the real me.

Now, back to my sketches and this perfect oat milk latte. Saturday in LA awaits.