“Fashion and art have always been a part of who I am and every single important choice I’ve made has been based on following that passion. I was in a school that didn’t allow me to showcase my creativity. I felt really restricted, and so I switched high schools when I was going into grade ten to a school that’s all about art, creativity, and self-expression. I went there and felt very at home. At my first high school I had to morph into what they wanted me to be. When I was speaking to the guidance counselor about what I should be applying into for college, she pretty much said, ‘if you don’t go into sciences, you will not have a career.’ So I felt pressured because I wanted to be successful, but I just knew that even if I pushed myself to do science and math that it would be against my being; it wouldn’t be a natural thing for me.

People tend to be more excited and think you’re smarter if you’re in a science-related program. But I find that people are just built differently. Like, my twin and I were raised in the same household with the same beliefs and traditions and we’re completely opposite: my twin is math- and science-driven, whereas I am creative. Not everybody is geared towards the sciences. It’s as hard as being creative; it’s just a different process. If you tell a science-minded person to draw, it’s extremely difficult for them. If you ask me to do a math problem, it’s the most challenging thing for me. I think people need to take a step back and realize that just because you’re in a different field than what’s deemed to be best, does not mean that there aren’t career choices that are successful and satisfying.”

Category: People