Model : Rachel Dayoub Photo : Ray Feather
Model : Rachel Dayoub Photo : Ray Feather
and look good . I wanted to make a sweater , a cardigan , a poncho , an oversized , comfy , anything with a pair of jeans and still be sexy . If I can feel good about myself , then I can do anything !”
“ I just want women to feel comfortable with what they are wearing .”
Speaking of feeling comfortable , one of the pieces in Mendicino ’ s current collection is a Pink Tutu Skirt , a piece one usually thinks of for little girls . When asked where adult women could wear such a piece , this was Mendicino ’ s reply :
“ You could go grocery shopping , if you wanted to , in a Pink Tutu Skirt !” She exclaimed . “ And about ninety percent of people are going to look at you and even ask where you got it . I was crossing the street in a yellow tutu skirt , and I got a honk and a thumbs up from a woman in a car . I don ’ t feel like you ’ re limited by where you can wear anything . There is nothing more feminine than a Pink Tutu Skirt .”
In the future , Mendicino hopes to open a storefront but is content building her fast-growing popularity in the personal home settings and getting to know her fans one-on-one . What advice does she have to inspire women in her position ? Women who have come from difficult health issues or who have the financial need to get up and start something ? Or even women who just find themselves in their closets ready to launch the new fashion idea we all are in need of ?
“ Never give up , and I know that I have been told that twenty thousand times and everyone who isn ’ t in that situation is always like ( eyeroll ) ‘ of course !’ But it ’ s true . Never give up ! My biggest inspiration was my kids . I set out on this mission , and I would never in a million years allow my children to see that I gave up on something I wanted so badly , because that would be my advice to them . Never give up on anything that you want , and I say that to my kids every day .” n
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98 INSPIRING LIVES WINTER 2017