My Voice

The iconic designer Rachel Zoe said, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” These words became engrained in my mind, from the moment I heard them. Mainly, because they embody the manner in which I live my life. I moved to the United States with my immediate family visas to live in the United States. The Ethiopian culture is quite conservative in all respects, including the manner of speech, dress, and overall behavior. Although my family was amongst the more modern with our cultural approach, there were still many instances where I felt the need to limit my mannerisms for the sake of my culture. I began to use fashion as my escape. Fashion became my source of expression, rebellion, and escape. I found that through my wardrobe I could play any character in any given day. I could be the glamorous fashionista with the ball gown, the cute and flirty girl going to the movies, or even the casual nerd ready for a long day at the library. Whatever it was, I was able to create my look every morning. As fashion was my escape in my early years of high school, it continues to be so now. Now, I barley have to say anything, my style does all the talking for me.