Growing Roots

My family's immigration story is the inspiration for my design. The story is rooted in the struggles that women in my family endured as immigrants, paving the way for the opportunities I cherish today. The dress not only embodies my own narrative of growing up in New York City, but also magnifies theirs--our stories seamlessly fused and woven into the fabric of the person I am today. The designs of the prints are inspired by the mosaic patterns found in the New York City subway, patterns I've encountered countless times during my commutes. These patterns represent various aspects of my life in New York City, as well as the lives of the women in my family who were born and raised in the Dominican Republic, juxtaposing the urban and rural lifestyles that have shaped me. This piece demonstrates how far I've come as a designer and honors and celebrates the resilience of the strong women in my family.