Art of My Own Kela Sowell

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“Alright, perfect.” I announce, looking down at my camera to peruse through the pictures I had just captured. The model in front of me wore a meticulously curated outfit of my choosing: a muted rainbow of varied sportswear, accompanied by denim accessories and worn-out sneakers. Though clashing in most eyes, it was definitely a work of art in mine.

Growing up in the Bay Area, I was exposed to an array of styles for all of my life. The one place that served as an oasis for my fashion exploration, however, was the urban jungle of San Francisco. This city, a hub of expression and counterculture, portrayed a different view of beauty and style compared to the rest of the world. Here, I learned that fashion was not only to be enjoyed by socialites and shopaholics, but it also served as the common person’s outward expression of character. People wore their own emotions and aspirations on their backs for the whole world to see, which intrigued me deeply. I viewed fashion as art and I was thrilled to start creating my own masterpieces.

Enthusiastically, I arrived to every event decked out in eclectic ensembles, expecting positive feedback. In spite of my sparked fascination, not many others experienced fashion in the same way...