The Beauty in the Snag: How Obstacles Become Design Elements

Hey besties! It's Friday, October 24th, 2025, just past 9 AM here in sunny LA, and I'm sipping my coffee, feeling a little more grounded today. Yesterday, I was all about the "design team" of relationships, and how they're helping me stitch my story together. And honestly, that thought really resonated. It’s comforting to know I’m not doing this whole "Mandy 2.0" thing alone.

But then, as I was walking to my yoga class this morning (trying to find my zen before my 10 AM design critique), a different thought hit me. We talk a lot about the positive influences, the "co-designers," the supportive threads. But what about the snags? The rips? The moments where the fabric just doesn't cooperate?

You know, in fashion design, you sketch something perfect, you source the ideal fabric, and then you start sewing, and BAM. A needle breaks. The seam puckers. The fabric frays in a way you didn't expect. And in that moment, it feels like a disaster. Like the whole vision is ruined.

But what I've been learning, not just in the studio but in life, is that those "disasters" often become the most interesting parts of the design. Sometimes, you have to pivot. You have to adapt. Maybe that frayed edge becomes a raw hem detail, or that puckered seam inspires a new ruching technique. The "obstacle" isn't the end; it's a new design element you didn't even plan for.

This "Maturation" journey has been full of those snags. Those moments where I felt like I was unraveling, where a relationship didn't work out, or a design idea totally flopped. There have been times I just wanted to throw the whole project away. But looking back, each one of those moments forced me to get creative, to think differently, to find a new solution. They made the final "garment" – me – more unique, more resilient, and honestly, more authentic.

It’s easy to celebrate the wins, the smooth sailing. But I’m realizing now that the growth, the real evolution, often comes from navigating the rough patches. It’s like those challenges are the extra stitching that makes the whole thing stronger, more robust. So, yeah, I’m still a little scared about putting my "collection" out there. But now, I’m also kind of excited to see how the "snags" I’ve overcome have actually made it more beautiful. Here’s to embracing the imperfections, besties. They’re part of the art. 💖✨