“I just wanted you to know, your story in the newspaper was why I started my own company,” the girl told me. I paused—her words took me back to my 14-year-old self—how I dreamt of inspiring the next generation of changemakers. Founding Desoire LLC, a zero-waste, gender-free fashion brand, was my movement to break past outdated gender norms. I grew up admiring how men in my Indian culture expressed themselves: there were no rules for wearing something “feminine.” Instead, they dressed for practicality, convenience, and comfort. The social stigma from a simple fabric choice never made sense; I saw an opportunity to deconstruct these labels. Before my freshman year of high school, I immersed myself in developing Desoire. This journey opened doors to connections worldwide, presenting opportunities to grow constantly. By the end of my junior year, I met Professor Holger Haehle at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages in Taiwan. Holger, a supporter of Desoire, reached out with a dream to publish a book in both the US and his home country, Germany. Together, we co-authored Threads of Identity, a book exploring the biological and cultural roots of fashion choices. For 6 months, we learned and observed the evolution of fashion trends, aspiring to construct a future beyond labels. Tackling the norms that deem femininity emasculating, we drew parallels to cultures where men historically wore kilts and skirts. Building Desoire, one of the first truly unisex and affordable brands, grounded me in my mission to revolutionize the fashion industry. I met people worldwide and even sponsored at Brooklyn Fashion Week as the youngest designer from Texas. Every experience along the way has taught me the importance of human connection in driving systemic change. Desoire was born from a gap in the market, a need that calls out to risk-takers through open-minded exploration. Desoire is more than a fashion brand: it is a movement that empowers all of us to take action. I recently had the opportunity to register Desoire with the United Nations—a chance to go all in and become a part of collective empowerment at a global scale. With over 300 companies, we collaborated to implement the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I advocated for SDGs #12 and #13 within Desoire: “Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns” and “Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”. From collaborating with fashion brands to fabric suppliers, we attended virtual seminars and received environmental reports, working to take actionable steps toward the future of sustainability. Desoire’s mission has empowered and fulfilled my dream as a little girl. It allowed me to create my passions into a future I want to make. As I enter college as the next chapter of my life, I want to continue exploring the intersection of business and fashion, including Desoire’s mission of reinventing unisex wear. I want to level the playing field for those who haven’t historically had a seat at the table because creating Desoire showed me that my dreams are possible–no matter the scale.