Hello!
My name is Michelle and I have graduated from the art institute of Seattle in 2011 with a associates in fashion design. After graduation I was hired by a Japanese media company as part of the international team in charge of the fashion department. During my employment, I traveled to New York, London, Paris and Milan to cover the fashion weeks. At the fashion weeks I was able to go backstage and conduct interviews with the fashion designers. Through this experience I have decided to reach for that goal of showing starting my collection and one day have my own fashion show in NYC.
This campaign is important to me because it will fund a fashion collection that is trying to spread the word of a beautiful culture.
With your donation, I will be able to create a line of dresses that will be shown in various fashion shows in Seattle by the end of the year. I have already talked to various fashion show organizers, and have received a lot of interest in the collection.
What I Really Need & What You Will Receive in Return
This contribution will go towards the hand dyed bingata fabric. It will take around three months from the time I order it to when it will get here. I have already talked to the people in Okinawa, and they are ready to take my order. I already have the dresses drafted, and will make the patterns. )I am ordering the rest of the fabric for the dresses after I have placed the order for Okinawa.) Once I have the fabric from Okinawa, I will sew each dress. Right now I have 8 evening gowns planned.
If I do not reach my goal, I will still see how much fabric I can order. I will make dresses just not as many as I had planned :)
The Impact
I was born and raised on the Island of Okinawa. When I was growing up I was surrounded by the unique culture. I would go to watch the traditional dances where the ladies would wear kimonos made with bingata dyed on silk. I always asked myself “what would it look like if I made a bingata dress? Would people even know that the dress had bingata incorporated in it?” When I left the island I decided to go down a path that would make that thought a reality. I attended the art institute of Seattle part time as I worked full time. It was a lot of hard work but I never gave up. Today I work part time as a barista as I chase my dream of creating a fashion line that has hand dyed bingata incorporated in it. I have the drive, and your contribution will make a difference. Thank you!!!
Thank you again for your time and consideration!!
Michelle Gingras
