"raising money to chase my dream of going to fashion school in paris" 

a letter from the designer..

Each of us has a story to tell, and this is my story....

“You will not be a starving artist. You will graduate with a respectable degree and get a good job.” This was the motto I grew up living by in our suburban Philadelphia household. There was something noble and reassuring about quality education and subsequently, making a good living for yourself and your family. My mother was convinced this could not be attained pursuing a creative career. I, on the other hand, was the daughter with the deep admiration for the arts and the instinctive creative bone. My purpose and power has always been in art and design. I had unconventional plans for my future.

I have been passionate about fashion since I was a little girl. For my third grade project, I crocheted an entire three piece costume that left the entire school in awe. All of the teachers kept saying, "she has a gift." In my teenage years, my mother, sister, and I ran a family business where we sold hand made items at local events. My items would always be the biggest hit, but I was still so protective of my creations. It took me a while to recognize my gift for myself. I’d won design contests for apparel, program covers, and greeting cards. I took fashion classes at Moore College of Art and Design, and I even was selected to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. It was not until I graduated from Spelman College and left a job in marketing that I realized I want to be a designer. I wanted to use my creative genius for a purpose. 

When I started college, my artistic light dimmed as I took up economics in my higher education, fearing a degree in fashion would result in my poverty. It was a respected degree, one that would certainly lead to a variety of job opportunities in many fields. I convinced myself that I would enter the business side of the fashion industry – a blend of my passions with my wit. However, I learned quickly how completely uninterested I was with corporate retail!

I finally got to the place when I realized that my life as a fashion designer could be a reality. After studying the trends in the market, I found a demand within my community. I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between school pride and forward fashion. As a response to the limited styles available in school stores, I took the concepts of school pride and American college sports to develop a clothing collection for colleges and universities. My brand, Cami Co. Lace, has been the most rewarding project I’ve taken on in my life. I have worked the creative, distribution, and marketing roles all on my own. I’ve customized college T-shirts and sweatshirts to sell to students and alumni all over the country. In addition to the gratitude I get, I have been working to raise the funds to help make my dreams of attending Istituto Marangoni come true.

 If you’d like to follow me through my journey, please check in on my Instagram, @cami.co.lace,  and on Facebook at “Cami Co. Lace”  or subscribe to my newsletter.

Last Updated (as of 9/30/2017, 4:35 PM EDT)