Confessions of a (Formerly, Kinda) Material Girl.

Honestly, it'd be disingenuous not to formally introduce myself as a true material girl in every sense of the word - I have the divalicious fashion girl autism - and if I were to create the visual for you beyond the writing and the deep analytical processing, you could consider me Sheldon Cooper internally and Carrie Bradshaw externally. The two may feel in complete opposition, and maybe even jarring to some, but somehow I think I strike a harmonious balance that allows me to embody both characters simultaneously - but none of it would be possible without growth.

When I look back at my recent growth experiences, I reflect on my second time around the sun at Vogue College of Fashion, where I studied Fashion Business. My truest intention when deciding to take these courses was to enter the doors with an open mind and allow the experience to inform my next steps. By finding my feet in adaptability and the clarity of the intentions behind the experience, I can say that my time at Vogue College has had a profound impact on my life both personally and professionally.

The week was a stark contrast to the time I had enjoyed during the Creative Direction course, which inspired and ignited a creative fire that felt purposeful and euphoric. Maybe it was naive of me to believe that any other experience would compare or engage me in the same way, but it truly came as a shock to the system when I had to rewire the learning mechanism I had built through my previous course in order to engage meaningfully with the material - and I'd be lying if I denied how challenging that was for me. I understood its value intrinsically, and that understanding led me to reflect... what do we learn from the "learning"?

It dawned on me.

Understanding the nature of what you're learning, its value, and how it can be applied is an essential reflection on any experience. The Fashion Business course didn't inspire me because it wasn't supposed to - that's not its purpose by design. The Fashion Business course was designed to inform me. That was it. That was the value. The brief had been met, but had I not given myself the opportunity to understand my own expectations, the lesson would have passed me by.

Now, this isn't the section where I stand on my soapbox and start preaching - but if I could gift anyone the benefit of my experience, it would be this: extract the learning from every experience you have - negative or positive - quickly, and apply it with that same haste. Grow through every experience and measure value with precision and immediacy. Oh, and if you want further proof of my credentials on this topic, you can read my profile on Vogue College of Fashion's website on April 14th - shameless plug - but the point stands. The truth of the matter is that the best version of yourself is on the other side of your comfort zone. The growing pains didn't stop because your knees stopped hurting at 16. I know this, because turning 30 taught me that the most significant growth often arrives quietly - and then announces itself loudly.

The only way to truly mark growth is through celebration - and I think even the way you choose to celebrate can be a reflection of your evolution. From philosophical growth to literal growth, I turned 30 this week (EEK!) and honestly, I floated through it on the high of receiving news that I'd be featured on the Vogue alumni platform. My inner material girl and former, less evolved self may have marked such a momentous occasion by being showered in everything Harrods, Selfridges, and Harvey Nichols has to offer - but instead I experienced the pricelessness of great friends, great food, and GREAT NEWS! Pardon the Socrates-esque conclusion - I wouldn't want it to seem as though I had grown beyond diamonds being a girl's best friend, so I feel compelled to tell the truth. My priceless, wholesome, and truly fulfilling celebration of personal growth wasn't without a party at Home House, a pair of shoes in Harrods, a bottle of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, and seemingly quiet days that turned into lunch at Zuma and errands on Bond Street, but I hope my honesty proves that you can grow and still be exactly who you are, fearlessly - as long as you grow through it.

Life advice from a (formerly, kinda) material girl.