One of my biggest influences changed two aspects of my life that have persuaded three of my personal goals. Mrs.Chang, my fashion teacher from high school, has made a tremendous impact on my life. When I first walked into the studio, I had no clue what fashion was to me and how to navigate through life issues. I was confused and lost as any teenage student was in high school, but from the very first lesson, I knew I had a lot to learn from Mrs. Chang. Throughout high school, my desire to be liked would cause me to always compare myself to others as if it was 2nd nature. This caused me to overthink and stress, but throughout Mrs. Changs class, I learned to only compare myself to myself. I realized that my self growth would only stem from me challenging myself rather than looking to compete with others. While the fashion industry is competitive, she creatively taught the class individuality and fashion skills. Both skills always found a way to tie together by the time class was finished for the day. Mrs. Chang's unforgettable classes have reassured me to further pursue a career in design/fashion, to only raise my standards for myself, and create more positive environments wherever I go. While I am majoring in Fashion Design, I will be using my art & design skills to recreate and explore new ways to create/reuse sustainable art. The limit to creating meaningful artwork is limitless and I am passionate that creating sustainable art can lead to new innovations. To practice and prepare for my future in being environmentally aware through art, I've experimented with scrap fashion, zero waste, and new materials. While experimenting with scrap fashion, I reuse scraps from a previous project to create new outfits. I truly feel zero waste fashion is the next step to being innovative in art. Because fashion is one of the leading industries for pollution, changing the game within it can spark inspiration in other industries to do the same. I am leading by example, just as other inspirational figures have done for me. Many would say living between two worlds can make or break you. In my case I've let it naturally shape who I am and allow it to broaden my perspective. I grew up in a Caribbean household in Northern Virginia. My worlds were right next to each other but didn't seem to work together. While it may have been difficult growing up to maneuver these worlds, I can proudly look back and say that it's shaped me to be self disciplined. While my motivation is something I value, my discipline is a trait that keeps me vigilant and innovative. I can use the mold and pressure that made me who I am to inspire others and continue generations of art.

Throughout my life, art has been the small details creating a significant difference for my mental health. No matter how many times I would get in trouble for making a mess with paint and makeup, both allowed me to reassure myself from anxiety. The tension I held within myself growing up caused me to be closed off and overthink everything. There was always something that kept my mind occupied, whether it be a test later in the day or who I was planning to sit with at lunch. One of the only times I could be free from my thoughts was exploring art. While creating makeup looks and paintings, I subconsciously grounded myself to appreciate colors, designs, and techniques. I would focus on the different brush strokes depending on the speed or pressure applied. At first, it was just painting, but over time I became attuned that my mind was free from thought while engaged with art. After coming to terms with my passion for art and anxiety, being linked positively, I began to apply the same outlook in my everyday life. To not only observe something and overthink the possibilities but instead see the art within it. I started to catch sight of the cartoon-styled font used on homework assignments or how certain houses in my neighborhood emphasized the color of their shutters. With this new lens on life, I slowly began to recognize those tiny details of art in everyday activity. Even though school has been a factor in my anxiety, I have experienced the opportunity to improve my work, perspective, and self through education. I am passionate about pursuing higher art education to create those small details that inspire others. For both mental health and to allow others to explore a less strenuous path to appreciate the art piece we live. As humans, we are constantly unknowingly engaged and entertained by our environment, which allows us to learn. Without trees being tall or the sky changing colors constantly, we wouldn’t engage. Hence, artists/designers like myself are influential in keeping everyday life engaging. To encourage the world to be more captivating, I am continuing my works of Art through Fashion Design. Through Art, in the form of Fashion, I am free from my mind and show art in everyday life. Rain Collection Video: https://vimeo.com/552648000/66bdf60809

Throughout my life, art has been the small details creating a significant difference for my mental health. No matter how many times I would get in trouble for making a mess with paint and makeup, both allowed me to reassure myself from anxiety. The tension I held within myself growing up caused me to be closed off and overthink everything. There was always something that kept my mind occupied, whether it be a test later in the day or who I was planning to sit with at lunch. One of the only times I could be free from my thoughts was exploring art. While creating makeup looks and paintings, I subconsciously grounded myself to appreciate colors, designs, and techniques. I would focus on the different brush strokes depending on the speed or pressure applied. At first, it was just painting, but over time I became attuned that my mind was free from thought while engaged with art. After coming to terms with my passion for art and anxiety, being linked positively, I began to apply the same outlook in my everyday life. To not only observe something and overthink the possibilities but instead see the art within it. I started to catch sight of the cartoon-styled font used on homework assignments or how certain houses in my neighborhood emphasized the color of their shutters. With this new lens on life, I slowly began to recognize those tiny details of art in everyday activity. Even though school has been a factor in my anxiety, I have experienced the opportunity to improve my work, perspective, and self through education. I am passionate about pursuing higher art education to create those small details that inspire others. For both mental health and to allow others to explore a less strenuous path to appreciate the art piece we live. As humans, we are constantly unknowingly engaged and entertained by our environment, which allows us to learn. Without trees being tall or the sky changing colors constantly, we wouldn’t engage. Hence, artists/designers like myself are influential in keeping everyday life engaging. To encourage the world to be more captivating, I am continuing my works of Art through Fashion Design. Subtle detailing on garments has grabbed my attention in the last three years and has given me the perfect opportunity to enhance how meaningful small details can add to an overall picture. Through Fashion Design, I am free from my mind and show art in everyday life.

Throughout my life, art has been the small details creating a significant difference for my mental health. No matter how many times I would get in trouble for making a mess with paint and makeup, both allowed me to reassure myself from anxiety. The tension I held within myself growing up caused me to be closed off and overthink everything. There was always something that kept my mind occupied, whether it be a test later in the day or who I was planning to sit with at lunch. One of the only times I could be free from my thoughts was exploring art. While creating makeup looks and paintings, I subconsciously grounded myself to appreciate colors, designs, and techniques. I would focus on the different brush strokes depending on the speed or pressure applied. At first, it was just painting, but over time I became attuned that my mind was free from thought while engaged with art. After coming to terms with my passion for art and anxiety, being linked positively, I began to apply the same outlook in my everyday life. To not only observe something and overthink the possibilities but instead see the art within it. I started to catch sight of the cartoon-styled font used on homework assignments or how certain houses in my neighborhood emphasized the color of their shutters. With this new lens on life, I slowly began to recognize those tiny details of art in everyday activity. Even though school has been a factor in my anxiety, I have experienced the opportunity to improve my work, perspective, and self through education. I am passionate about pursuing higher art education to create those small details that inspire others. For both mental health and to allow others to explore a less strenuous path to appreciate the art piece we live. As humans, we are constantly unknowingly engaged and entertained by our environment, which allows us to learn. Without trees being tall or the sky changing colors constantly, we wouldn’t engage. Hence, artists/designers like myself are influential in keeping everyday life engaging. To encourage the world to be more captivating, I am continuing my works of Art through Fashion Design. Subtle detailing on garments has grabbed my attention in the last three years and has given me the perfect opportunity to enhance how meaningful small details can add to an overall picture. Through Fashion Design, I am free from my mind and show art in everyday life. (Rain Collection Video Link: https://vimeo.com/552648000/66bdf60809)

Throughout my life, art has been the small details creating a significant difference for my mental health. No matter how many times I would get in trouble for making a mess with paint and makeup, both allowed me to reassure myself from anxiety. The tension I held within myself growing up caused me to be closed off and overthink everything. There was always something that kept my mind occupied, whether it be a test later in the day or who I was planning to sit with at lunch. One of the only times I could be free from my thoughts was exploring art. While creating makeup looks and paintings, I subconsciously grounded myself to appreciate colors, designs, and techniques. I would focus on the different brush strokes depending on the speed or pressure applied. At first, it was just painting, but over time I became attuned that my mind was free from thought while engaged with art. After coming to terms with my passion for art and anxiety, being linked positively, I began to apply the same outlook in my everyday life. To not only observe something and overthink the possibilities but instead see the art within it. I started to catch sight of the cartoon-styled font used on homework assignments or how certain houses in my neighborhood emphasized the color of their shutters. With this new lens on life, I slowly began to recognize those tiny details of art in everyday activity. Even though school has been a factor in my anxiety, I have experienced the opportunity to improve my work, perspective, and self through education. I am passionate about pursuing higher art education to create those small details that inspire others. For both mental health and to allow others to explore a less strenuous path to appreciate the art piece we live. As humans, we are constantly unknowingly engaged and entertained by our environment, which allows us to learn. Without trees being tall or the sky changing colors constantly, we wouldn’t engage. Hence, artists/designers like myself are influential in keeping everyday life engaging. To encourage the world to be more captivating, I am continuing my works of Art through Fashion Design. Subtle detailing on garments has grabbed my attention in the last three years and has given me the perfect opportunity to enhance how meaningful small details can add to an overall picture. Through Fashion Design, I am free from my mind and show art in everyday life.

For my rain-inspired collection, my vision is to capture the colorful elegance of sunny rain. While rain can mean something different to an individual, to me, sunny rain creates a surreal moment. Throughout my life, rain has been a calming factor. However, when it’s raining and sunny outside, it brings a sense of hope, happiness, and an otherworldly experience. I selected a variety of blues and purple fabrics that I felt emphasized the warm/bright nature of sunny rain. As well as incorporating raindrops(made from resin) to replicate rain so viewers and models can experience the exact surreal moment of sunny rain. My artistic dream as a developing Fashion designer is to design/create inclusive garments that incorporate creative and sustainable aspects. While fabricating, I let various events, feelings, and images in my day-to-day life influence my garment creations, so I’m not limited to just my thinking only. I create my designs with perspective because I experiment and generate new ideas/thinking. Currently, reversible/adjustable garments have been my avenue to experimenting with creative and sustainable fashion. Within the next 5-6 years, I would like to start an official fashion brand that designs creative scrap, reversible, and day-to-day garments/clothing.

I envision the black community changing our mindset positivity and accepting individualism to improve/sustain our mental health. Changing your mindset and thinking is one of the ways to start improving mental health and I myself have seen it work. I would never expect every person to be happy constantly but I do believe the black community can teach one another to incorporate healthy alternatives that will improve overall thinking. Acknowledging, appreciating, and looking forward to something in our everyday life can start a new way of thinking, which will affect the way we all approach future situations. It’s not a simple task to change the way you approach or think of something but if an individual is being challenged, that means it’s a sign of improvement. While I agree that the black community should support one another, we should accept our own individualism. Many times I see and experience when the black community feels stuck or constantly attached dealing with racial issues and many of us feel obligated to always address it. Even if we do not deal with racial issues on a daily basis head-on, it does not mean it's not in the back of our minds. Constantly worrying about that can add anxiety and worry, which ultimately plays into our mental health. We can learn and accept that the black community does not always have to say or speak up on every issue it deals with. If an individual is already dealing with their own set of issues, they are entitled to only have to deal with those sets of issues. We should step up when the time comes but also know when it’s ok to save things for later. As I mentioned before, changing our mindset and how we approach life on a daily basis can help improve the black community and can help improve social justice for communities of color. When the time comes to acknowledge and help with a situation, communities of color helping one another is vital. We cannot only focus on our own problems or else we will become selfish. Finding a balance between our own individualism and dealing with social justice can improve all of our communities. As well as taking time to talk to one another so communities of color can understand each other better and so individuals can see from different perspectives. While we deal with similar issues and situations, we also have a lot of differences that many of us do not see.

Hello, my name is Shyenne Farrell. I'm an undergraduate at VCU majoring in Fashion Design. Fashion Design and Design in general is a way for me to connect with others and an opportunity for me to get a different perspective on Fashion. Design is meaningful and transformational because it allows me to create meaningful work other than in words. In a way it's a form expression for myself and who I create my designs for. I always love giving the opportunity for others to build their confidence throughout my designs and will continue to throughout my Fashion Design Career (Rain Collection Video Link: https://vimeo.com/552648000/66bdf60809)

I'm a college student attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Although, I am attending fully online, that has not stopped me from showing my support from home! I've decorated my room and set it up like a college dorm! Go Rams!!!

“Projects that feature black actors and are created by black people are so important because what we see in the media dictates how we think about the world. Representation is so important for black kids growing up.” -Amandla Stenberg Growing up, I never saw much black female representation in my neighborhood, schools, or media. A significant moment that made me realize the lack of black female representation was when I discovered the art of makeup and beauty. I would practice different looks and colors to see what would work best for my skin tone. As I searched for makeup tutorials and product reviews, there were few black women makeup artists. I had to dig deep to find more black female artists, and I learned that many were getting fewer views even though they were doing extravagant makeup like other influencers. It made me question myself to be a part of beauty because it only showed one type. However, I realized that many of them connected and collaborated to lift one another. They all were doing something they loved and were building a community of black women in beauty at the same time. As someone going into beauty and fashion, I notice a lack of black representation in the industry. I do not see enough black designers, models, entrepreneurs, directors, managers, and more being recognized or mentioned for their work. Personally, I know I must unite and empower the black community, so black kids can have an example to look at and see someone like themselves in a career they want. I have prioritized and will continue to work with black models and connect with others going into any industry. I want my future work and business to allow the black community to collaborate, so we're able to strive for more representation in all industries. I am currently building my fashion knowledge, sewing skills, and budgeting skills in order to start my own fashion business. I’ve always had an interest in beauty, art, and business. I have participated in one fashion show and I am currently selling a couple of the clothing I design and make. My long-term goal is to own my business that will represent black beauty, a positive impact on climate change, and an opportunity for everyone to connect. These funds would help me continue my studies in college, so I'm able to Major in Fashion Design. I am relying on myself to further my education, so that I can build my independence, which will also be applied to my business skills.

My #Back2SchoolBold moment is working on a Marylin Monroe-inspired dress that I am creating for a family member! I sketched and then used Adobe Illustrator for the drawing design. I’ve completed the dress, and I am currently patterning a detachable cape to attach to the garment. I have sewn this dress because I wanted it to resemble a garment Marylin Monroe would wear. Also, it’s a tribute to her contribution and unique influence on the Fashion Industry. I choose these fabrics because of how they contrast and complement one another. This project allows me to build my knowledge of Fashion, practice my sewing skills, and add to my art portfolio for college.

Basically how the past year has been going😅🤣 #Collegelife #Quarintine #Worklifememes #memes Instagram Tag: @shyenne.farrell

“Be like a flower, survive the rain but use it to grow” - Y. Tiwari As people, we have many experiences in life that shape us, and we can let those experiences drown us or allow us to self-evolve. Whether it be past relationships or learning something new, I believe we're all able to make choices to improve. I particularly love this quote because it is short, simple, and packed with meaning. I love that it conveys the idea of turning pain into power, and it is something I am familiar with. This quote is special because it reminds me of who I was and who I am today. About 11 years ago, my parents started going through a tough time in their marriage. As time went on, it proceeded to get worse, and it affected me in multiple ways. I was constantly anxious and depressed in the environment I was stuck in. Even though these times were hard, I stayed on top of my school work. My parents divorced eight years later, and it was a relief but stressful time for me. While it was a relief to have my parents in a separate space, I was struck with another challenge of cutting ties with my biological father. We are two different people with different priorities, and apparently, I was not one of his. I have chosen to continue thriving in my school studies and personal life regardless of the challenges that I have faced. It may seem insignificant to some but I've participated in a Fashion Show at 16, graduated from High School, and now I am attending college to pursue my Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design. All because I decided to let the rain of my experiences nurture me instead of drowning me. While I still work through these challenges today, I know that embracing the rainfall little by little will only help me grow into a beautiful flower.

Melanin, curls, and curves are many attributes I am learning to love about myself and continue to spread to other black women. I have lived in a predominantly white area my whole life and have had to continuously deal with being bullied and harassed for my hair, skin type, how I talk, and what I wear. Unfortunately, when I would visit St. Thomas, where my mom is from, I sometimes would be treated as an outsider because I was not “black” or “Caribbean” enough, even though it is a part of my heritage. Even though I am from Virginia, I have always held a particular spot for St. Thomas because I connect with the culture, and it feels natural when I am there. I have always felt stuck in multiple worlds that always find a problem with being a black woman. I always wished to have someone like myself to relate to or understand what I was going through. Growing up, I never saw much black female representation in my neighborhood, schools, or media. A significant moment that made me realize the lack of black female representation was when I discovered the art of makeup and beauty. I would practice different looks and colors to see what would work best for my skin tone. As I searched for makeup tutorials and product reviews, there were few black women makeup artists. I had to dig deep to find more black female artists, and I learned that many were getting fewer views even though they were doing extravagant makeup like other influencers. It made me question myself to be a part of beauty because it only showed one type. However, I realized that many of them connected and collaborated to lift one another. They all were doing something they loved and were building a community of black women in beauty at the same time. As someone going into beauty and fashion, I notice a lack of black women in the industry. I do not see enough black female designers, models, entrepreneurs, directors, managers, and more being recognized or mentioned for their work. Personally, I know I must unite and empower other black women so black girls can have an example to look at and see someone like themselves in a career they want. I have prioritized and will continue to work with black models and connect with black women going into any industry. I want my future work and business to allow black women of any background to collaborate, so we're able to strive for more representation in all industries.

There's always room for change and it's fashion's time to adjust to change. I’m an undergraduate at VCU majoring in Fashion Design. I’ve always been naturally attached to art, and when introduced to the art of fashion, it opened my eyes to a new world I could explore. While the world of fashion is beautiful on the outside, there is a lot of work that needs to be fixed behind the scenes. Fashion's impact on climate change is paramount. Currently, I am building my knowledge on fashion and how the skills I learn can positively impact climate change. While I am only a student, I know my work will matter now and in the future. You may ask, “how does fashion correlate with environmental policy?” It's simple because we can enforce and encourage rules within the fashion industry to make improvements that will impact climate change positively. The fashion industry and I can change 3 main things to impact climate change positively, and it can start with using scrap fabric, more custom clothing, and applying eco-friendly materials. Scrap fabrics are remaining fabric pieces after creating an outfit. Creating textiles and fabrics creates a lot of greenhouse gasses and using scrap fabrics is essential because it causes less pollution, promotes using less fabric, and it’s creative. A policy that can help is requiring companies to use every piece of fabric or a limited amount of scrap fabric. Fashion brands can be required to create outfits made with scraps or donating scraps to other companies. I have been experimenting with using scrap fabrics and finding ways to incorporate them into my collections. In fashion, there’s a high demand for custom clothing which is beneficial to climate change. Fast fashion is the number one problem because it uses cheap fabrics which are less sustainable, and while we can’t make companies sell custom clothing, I think there can be an influence. Perhaps an incentive or require fashion brands to have a certain amount of custom clothing in their collections. Even if it’s 10 custom clothes, it would still have a major impact because it's more sustainable. Lastly, using eco-friendly materials or recycled fabrics. A memory that has always stuck with me is when I bought my first pair of recycled plastic jeans from Levi's. I was shocked that plastic could even become a pair of jeans and yet they were so comfortable. If one company takes the time to design sustainable clothing and use reused materials, any company is capable of doing the same. A rule or act that can be put in place is requiring fashion brands and fashion textile designers to create a certain amount of fabrics using eco-friendly materials like cotton, polyester, hemp, and many more. While these are 3 main ideas that can impact the environment positively, other small things could help as well. Any everyday person can contribute by using eco-friendly detergents, purchasing less fast fashion, and donating clothing. Change is coming to the fashion industry, and I am excited to see how young designers, such as myself, can rise to the challenge.