Fashion has always been more than just clothes for me; it’s been a way to find myself, to connect with others, and to shape my place in the world.

As a child, while others at school wore pretty dresses and had long, flowing hair, I had a short, boyish haircut and corduroy pants. This difference cost me social acceptance, as girls saw me as too boyish and boys saw me as too girlish. In a home where tensions ran high and emotions often ran deeper than words, I found solace in creativity: drawing clothes, dressing my Barbies, and crafting imaginary fashion shows for an invisible audience. Fashion wasn’t just an interest; it was my refuge, my escape, and my earliest form of storytelling.

As I grew older, fashion became a conscious act of self-expression. With every new piece of clothing, I shaped my identity with care and intention. I spent my teenage years meticulously curating my appearance, not to blend in, but to stand out in a way that felt true to me. Fashion was my means of self-discovery, my bridge to connection, and my way of making sense of who I was becoming. It allowed me to explore, to evolve, and to be seen on my own terms.

Adults often asked me what I wished to study or work with. And the answer always remained the same: fashion, for as long as I can remember. So naturally, I pursued formal education in fashion and textile design, immersing myself fully in the world of colors, textures, patterns, and visual storytelling. It felt like entering a universe where I could finally speak fluently.

After graduating, I gained valuable experience working as a designer in Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands. Then, against all odds, I applied to H&M without even knowing if they were hiring for my role. Months later, to my surprise, I received an interview invitation. At 28, I joined the world’s biggest fashion retailer, fulfilling a dream I once thought impossible.

Over more than a decade at H&M, I evolved from a designer into a textile business expert. I worked across various divisions such as children’s wear, ladies' wear, accessories, and nightwear—eventually stepping into roles that supported and recruited the next generation of designers as a talent acquisition specialist for creative profiles. I thrived in a fast-paced, high-energy environment where creativity met strategy every single day. It was a career built on passion, precision, and an unwavering love for fashion. Every morning I walked to work excited, and my weeks were just flying by, filled with purpose and drive.

But in 2024, the recession hit, and I suddenly found myself at a crossroads. For the first time in 14 years, I had to ask myself a difficult but necessary question: What do I really want to do next?

By then, another passion had quietly taken root in my life: personal development. I had spent years studying coaching, psychology, and human behavior. I attended workshops, earned certifications, and explored everything from family constellations and non-violent communication to EMDR and trauma healing. The more I learned, the more I began to see a deeper connection between fashion and personal identity.

What if fashion wasn’t just about trends but about who we are?

Determined to bridge my two passions, I retrained as a stylist, not to follow fleeting trends but to help people discover their own unique style narratives. I launched my own styling business, where I guided individuals in using fashion as a powerful tool for self-expression, confidence, and self-discovery. Through this, I saw firsthand how clothing isn’t just fabric! It’s psychology, it’s behavior, it’s identity in motion.

Today, I work as a fashion strategist for a styling app, supporting Gen Z in using fashion as a medium for self-expression, freedom, and creativity.

For me, fashion isn’t just about what we wear; it’s about who we are. It is psychology, emotion, memory, and meaning.