I remember the first time a wore a pair of patent leather shoes mixed with ruffled socks. That might have been the first time I realized the power of fashion, and how beautiful things could make me occasionally happy.
For Ariel, the now 15 year old woman behind Swedroe by Ariel, fashion became her biggest passion since the first time she touched a sewing machine, and realized the power it had to materialize her fashion-driven dreams and ideals.
And of course: fashion is an emotion. It’s empowerment. It’s a tool of liberation of the confinement of the self in a body.
But I’ve always been amazed of how early on she knew what she wanted, and found a way to make it happen. Between you and I, I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up…
This is part of a bigger project I did in February 2018 with Go Daddy to highlight some entrepreneurs in the city, and the path that led them to dare to build their own business.
Looking back, this project was a huge support to make my own brand a reality. Canvas would probably not be ready yet, if it wasn’t for them.
Below, an interview that highlights her journey.