For as long as I could remember, my fashion has been my armour, my protection, my escape. I created this collection with this in mind but I also began to think about this belief system from the perspective of the other women in my life. This collection is a tribute to the styles that have inspired me throughout my life and the women who made my life possible. Throughout the show, you will see three pieces that are a direct reflection of three of the most important women throughout my life, my mother and my grandmothers. Each piece reflects a piece of their style and the beauty of my Black and Puerto Rican Culture. I carry pieces of them with me every single day, as well as their joy and perseverance. Despite the weight of the world around them, they walked through each trial and tribulation with grace and looked good while doing it. I wanted to showcase my culture and my legacy that led to who I am today. I am nothing without the women who walked before me and unique perspectives each one of them gave to me. Putting together this collection was a true leap of faith but was worth every single late night I spent working on it.