My story starts where all treacherous tales do: high school. From the
beginning of my high school career, things were exceptionally
difficult for me and my family. My freshman year I had heart surgery
that took me out of school for a semester. Later, in my sophomore year
my brother was taken away, and thankfully brought back home through my mother’s extraordinary efforts. Throughout high school my family
struggled to maintain stable housing, and by my junior year I began to
lose all direction and hope.
I felt like Lindsay Lohan in "Just My Luck", except, without the
luxurious beginning, or the mug shots (luckily). I dropped out of
school, with no plan, other than to work and help support my family.
Just when I was ready to give up completely, I saw a listing on
Facebook that read "YOUNG DESIGNERS, PLEASE APPLY! LOOKING TO FILL SLOTS IN A SHOW FOR MINNESOTA FASHION WEEK!" I thought "well.... why not!", easily the most spontaneous decision I've ever made, and coincidentally, the most life changing. I applied and was selected to show a collection in MN fashion week.
After I had the opportunity to start making clothes again I began to
feel motivated and excited about my future in a new way. In one year I
completed a total of 5 self-produced shows consisting of 3 full
collections, one pop up shop, and 8 direct to consumer commission
orders, (for a total of over 135 pieces) all while starting my own brand called Wilden3. By October 2018 I had my GED, took my ACT test, and applied to colleges, something I never thought would be possible for me!
To my astonishment Parsons School of Design not only accepted me, but granted me an incredibly generous scholarship and financial aid
package. This is the biggest opportunity I have had in my life, and
the only thing standing between me and my dream school is $5000.
Neither my Father, Mother, nor Sister were approved to cosign my loan, and it would break my heart if this small sum of money stands in the way of my dream.
Any help you can give would be absolutely awe inspiring! Thank you so
much for your time, and energy.
Love,
Wilden
beginning of my high school career, things were exceptionally
difficult for me and my family. My freshman year I had heart surgery
that took me out of school for a semester. Later, in my sophomore year
my brother was taken away, and thankfully brought back home through my mother’s extraordinary efforts. Throughout high school my family
struggled to maintain stable housing, and by my junior year I began to
lose all direction and hope.
I felt like Lindsay Lohan in "Just My Luck", except, without the
luxurious beginning, or the mug shots (luckily). I dropped out of
school, with no plan, other than to work and help support my family.
Just when I was ready to give up completely, I saw a listing on
Facebook that read "YOUNG DESIGNERS, PLEASE APPLY! LOOKING TO FILL SLOTS IN A SHOW FOR MINNESOTA FASHION WEEK!" I thought "well.... why not!", easily the most spontaneous decision I've ever made, and coincidentally, the most life changing. I applied and was selected to show a collection in MN fashion week.
After I had the opportunity to start making clothes again I began to
feel motivated and excited about my future in a new way. In one year I
completed a total of 5 self-produced shows consisting of 3 full
collections, one pop up shop, and 8 direct to consumer commission
orders, (for a total of over 135 pieces) all while starting my own brand called Wilden3. By October 2018 I had my GED, took my ACT test, and applied to colleges, something I never thought would be possible for me!
To my astonishment Parsons School of Design not only accepted me, but granted me an incredibly generous scholarship and financial aid
package. This is the biggest opportunity I have had in my life, and
the only thing standing between me and my dream school is $5000.
Neither my Father, Mother, nor Sister were approved to cosign my loan, and it would break my heart if this small sum of money stands in the way of my dream.
Any help you can give would be absolutely awe inspiring! Thank you so
much for your time, and energy.
Love,
Wilden