Different by Design.....The making of me

Someone asked me the question, "Who do you admire? Wouldn't you love to be the next Versace and would you do anything to get where you want to be?"
That question or questions merits a lot of thought, but then again, not really.

I absolutely love Coco Chanel! She was a visionary before her time. Versace is a definite favorite. I adore Valentino, Oscar De La Renta, Alexander McQueen, ahhh and Dolce and Gabbana...all the greats that will forever be engraved into the fibers of fashion history. My blood pumps in living vivid colors. I live and breathe fashion and I'm so eagerly chasing my own position amongst the world's most renowned masters of design. My greatest inspiration however is my mother. She embodied strength, integrity, faith, and tenacity with such zest that it was undeniable. It is those traits that strive daily to exemplify. You'll often find her inspiration intertwined within my words because that is just what she means to my life; inspiration.

In fashion Donatella Versace did something for her brand that most design houses would probably sell a first born to achieve at any phase of their reign. Donatella took her brother's vision and not only kept it alive but in my opinion, propelled it to greater heights. Now there’s some industry wisdom that I myself would eagerly intake in high doses if given the opportunity. Yet and still, the next Versace though? No.
I think where we make our biggest mistakes when seeking our own success is desiring the gift that God has placed upon another. Let's face it...there will never be another Oprah, Jordan, MJ, or Coco Chanel because God instilled those remarkable gifts into those specific individuals. Will there be other great talk show host, or another awesome ball player, or sensational singer and designer? Absolutely, but each within their own rites.

What God has for me is for me and what He has for you is for you. But because I know that faith without works is dead, I will diligently pursue my destiny and strive to perfect my craft. Though I truly adore respect Donatella's gift, I want what God has designed specifically for Linda Rowe Thomas.

It's quite unfortunate that this industry is filled with "takers" that will say and do whatever it takes to get to the top. It's been a long hard road for me because regardless of my accomplishments or gifts, there are still those that will doubt me at first glance.

True story - I once interviewed with a major retail corporation (I won't put them on blast, even though I should). They literally raved over my vast experience. The first phase of over the phone interviews left me as a shoe in for the position because as the interviewer stated, they hadn't been able to find anyone with as much experience as I had in Little Rock.
My major was fashion merchandising with a minor in marketing. I was head buyer for Belk stores by the time I was 24 years old. I managed yhe Kasper department for Macy's Galleria and then managed the entire western half of the United States retail territory for IBM. Needless to say, I was and am confident in my ability to perform my job professionally as well as creatively. Back to the story though.

The final face to face interview was set to take place in the laid back comfort of the lounge area at the Peabody hotel. Yes, they were that certain that the position was going to be offered to me. From a distance I spotted the well-dressed woman awaiting my arrival. I introduced myself with a firm professional handshake but I immediately knew that the tables had turned. Although she tried, flustered cheeks and all, she couldn't conceal the fact that she wasn't expecting this face to go along with such an impressive resume. As the interview proceeded, she tried harder but failed to be inconspicuous in her ogling of my hands. I honestly give most people the benefit of the doubt and count it as curiosity. At this point in my life I can read a person's first impression of me, whether good or bad, like a Dr. Suess book. Long story short, a day later I was told that they were hiring someone with "more" experience. A week later that same company offered me a much lesser position. (Ok so they really could have found a more suitable candidate on their final day of interviews). But my, does God have a way of bringing things to light.

I took the job, figuring I'd just get my foot in the door and give them the opportunity to see my ability in action. I'm used to having to prove myself. Sooo here's the kicker. I wound up sitting next to the person that was hired into the first position instead of me. (To protect the innocent, we'll her Sue.) Through all the Monday morning buying reports that Sue would soon ask for my assistance with on a regular basis, neither of us knew that she was the person hired because she possessed "more" experience. It was not until one morning after walking Sue through yet another required report and (I kid you not)the oh so difficult task of changing her split screen view back to normal, Sue says to me with the utmost sincerity, "Linda, you have so much more experience at this job, you should have applied for my position."

Well DUH!!!! I did. Funny how not fitting the norm can trump education and experience. (Said with much sarcasm)LOL. Yeah, I was hot when I had the proof of what they'd done staring me in the face, taunting me like a villain as he made his escape. Though it wasn't easy to accept, not getting that position pushed me a bit farther down the road to feeling a little bit more unfulfilled and even more determined to build my label.
To answer that last question; I accept what God allows because it’s all in His grand design to get me to my destiny. There's no lying, cheating, betrayal, stealing or any other crooked thing that could possibly aide in skipping me to the head of the line. I can't take what God has in store for me before my time. As bad as I want to make my mark in fashion, it’s not worth my integrity. That's where my mother's light always shines the brightess in my life. My faith propels me forward each time a door is closed in my face and I'm so grateful that I'm strong enough to keep fighting for my dream with her unwavering tenacity. The setbacks were only setups to the true making of me. The best was yet to come.

Regardless of how much harder the road is when you allow God to take the wheel, it’s so worth it all. I say again, the best was and is yet to come. God opens doors that no man can shut and closes doors that no man can open. Our job is to be trusting and accepting to which ever way the door falls.
Stay tuned....next week, I'll share the first time I stepped into a room filled with stars from Jennifer Lewis, to Boris Kodjoe, to Vivica Fox and so many more.

Fashionably Yours,

Linda

Different by design.....the beginning

I was walking through Walgreen's the other day, perusing the aisles for some almonds that I'd fallen in love with not an hour earlier and a young lady walked up to me. She was so elated that she'd seen my story in Arkansas Life magazine. The exact same thing happens to me quite often now while shopping all over Little Rock and even in church. My daughter's friends revel in the fact that they know Linda Rowe Thomas' daughter. Bragging? Not even close. Let me further explain.

I'm always taken aback by the love and admiration that I receive. As I sit here today, looking back over my life, I'm totally in awe of where God has brought me from.

Since I was a little girl, growing up deep in the country woods of Douglassville, Texas (seriously, I'm talking cows, chickens, pigs, goats...and plenty of pea picking going on) I've always dreamed of designing clothes. My mother sewed for everyone, especially us. My younger siblings and I were always in matching Easter ensembles. (Classic preacher kids, singing trio and all). Whatever she sewed, I saved the scraps for my dolls next wardrobe. I literally took flat sheets from the linen closet and turned them into my master pieces. Unfortunately my younger brother and sister were sucked into the dream and were forced into being my guinea pigs/runway models. It would be some years later after watching Diana Ross in Mahogany, that I realized my dream was actually a real job. 

I was blessed to have a God fearing mother that always believed in me, supported me, and instilled in me that I could do all things! What made those words so powerful to me? When I looked into the mirror as a 5 year old, I saw what everyone saw; the scars, the missing fingers, the differences that the world would never allow me to live down. And here I was passionately seeking a dream job in an industry that was driven by the outer appearance. So, how could she believe in someone like me? As a mother now, I definitely know the answer.

Fast forward to kindergarten. That would be my first encounter with the cruelty that the world was waiting to devour me with. That was the beginning of hearing "You can't because...". That was the beginning of being pushed aside, stared at. look over, ridiculed, taken advantage of and mocked. BUT that was also the beginning of my strength. I've always had a fire inside me that drove me to never give up or to give in. My mother fueled that fire with undying love and faith. I'll never forget witnessing for the first time, the utter joy that others received from making me cry once they'd mocked my very different appearance. (Oh but it only took one time) One time! Something woke up in me that day and refused to ever give someone that much power. Am I saying my feelings were never hurt again? Absolutely not! But I didn't have to let them know that. At 6 years old, I realized that that people treat you based upon the way you present yourself. I just let them know that I was no pushover. Ok, ok so there were a couple of fights that aided in getting the point across. LOL

As the years would go by, my outer strength would soon come from the inside and exude outwards. My journey to become the woman that I'm stepping into was never easy. Through school, colleges, careers, I'd still be stared at, doubted, mocked, looked over, and criticized. However, I wouldn't trade a moment. I know you're thinking, "Yeah right." Honestly, everything that has happened, everything that I've ever gone through, has made me the strong woman that I am today. I look into the mirror now and I love the woman staring back at me. My strength is my faith, my confidence is saturated in humility, and an unstoppable drive is continually fueled by my mother's words to her daughter as she prepared me for the cruel world lurking outside our door, "You can do all things!"

God is the ultimate maker, creator, and designer. I was always taught that God doesn't make mistakes, that though bad things happen, He will work it for the good.  I love me! Different? Yes I am? I like to think though that I am different by design. This face, these hands are a part of the journey that God has given me.

 When I took to the runway to walk my first finale walk at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on September 13, 2010, (with my two children on each side of me) I was thinking.... "I wish my mother and father were here to see this." And then my thoughts immediately turned to how anxious I am to see what God has in store for me. When people point and approach me, it's now often because they recognize me for the awesome gift that God has instilled in me. Bragging? Absolutely not? Grateful? You better believe it!

Sooo, I'm willing to share a little bit of me and a whole of my story. Follow me weekly as I embark upon a remarkable journey on my road to becoming a nationally known fashion designer.......

Fashionably Yours,

Linda