Talya Lee

Commit.

Seems I have a 15 minute block of free time - so I thought I’d update my very sweet and loyal readers a bit.

If I could use only one word to describe how life has been for the last year, it would be, ‘Transition’. A whole lotta change. I haven’t even felt for a single second that I was settling in, or getting into a ‘groove’, despite all of the things I did that should technically settle me down. I’ve been living out of a suitcase for the better part of this year and relying heavily on my iphone to keep me connected to my loved ones. Sleep is a rarity as is any sense of normalcy. However, these are not complaints.

I get a lot of questions from young women and men looking to get into the business of Fashion. Firstly, I’m no expert - nor have I made it as far as I want to go (not even close!), but my first piece of advice these days (based on how I’ve gotten to where I am) is to be really willing to COMMIT. Commit to the irregular schedules, commit to going to school, commit to working for free more than you’d like to, commit to networking. Commit.

(Clockwise from Top left: Rebecca Minkoff at New York Fashion Week, Caitlin Power at Toronto Fashion Week, Hustling at the KENTON office in Toronto (so. many. emails.), Bronte Harbour - my current, happy place)

So that’s what I’ve been doing. Committing. With the immense and unconditional support of my family/tribe (seriously, it takes a village!) I’ve been doing absolutely everything I can to create a career life that is a) truly satisfying to me and b) beneficial for the future of me and my loved ones. Has all this commitment paid off? Absolutely. Consider me one of the most grateful people in the universe right now. I have a long way to go, but I am grateful to wake up every morning and know that in less than two years, I’ve created a world where I get to wake up and HUSTLE for what I love - and be taken seriously for it.

I have so much to talk about. I’ll leave this post here though.

If you’re interested in following my daily life, work and hustle, follow me on Instagram! (I only feed about 15% of my posts into Tumblr)

Love and light.

-t

kiers10 asked: I'm absolutely sure you won't remember me, but when I was just getting started on tumblr you were one of the first people I followed, after seeing your brother post about you. After seeing your posts, I wrote you a message telling you how much I admired you, and how I hoped I could be like you when I got older. It's been a few years, and I just wanted you to know that I still feel the same way. You're such a classy lady, and I enjoy all of your posts! Thank you so much!

I absolutely DO remember you! Wow - I’m completely touched by this message. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it - It means the world. I hope you’re doing really well, Sweets!

Love and light! :)

thecrowtalkslife asked: This was a while ago, but as a desi girl, I love that post you made about looking for beauty ideals in the wrong people, who simply don't look like you. It's really difficult to remember the various kinds of beauty, especially when one kind is pushed by the media. Thanks for that!

Thank you so much for writing me - doesn’t matter if the post was a while ago! I’m glad you found the piece relate able. I know it was something I struggled with for a while. You’re beautiful. :)

applesandpeachesandpearsohmy asked: so the fact that the first post I saw of yours was Parris' Blurred Lines video meant instant follow. -Fellow NYC Dancer =)

Yay! She’s so dope and keeps me inspired. Love hearing from dancers - I miss it! Xo