Eventually, I lost weight, and my dad celebrated the milestone by taking me shopping for a brand-new wardrobe. I remember walking into that store and reaching for the basics: plain tees, simple jeans, the kind of clothes that helped me disappear into the crowd. Clothes that said, I belong.

And for a while, I did belong. The kids who once ignored me now smiled. I was finally “in.” But it didn’t feel like I thought it would. Fitting in turned out to be... boring. Safe. Forgettable.

That’s when everything changed.

I started dressing for me. I dove headfirst into fashion experimentation, tailoring, silhouettes, color theory, texture play. Nothing was off-limits. I wore things that felt outrageous, dramatic, expressive. Every outfit became a canvas. I wasn’t just getting dressed—I was discovering myself.

Now, I want to help other kids do the same. I want to create a world where no one feels like they have to change to belong. Where being authentic is more important than being accepted. Where creativity is a tool for self-love and expression, not conformity.

Because being different isn’t something to hide. It’s something to celebrate.