Above: Amanda Gorman wearing Autumn Adeigbo.
PS: If you had the chance to collaborate with anyone on a project or collection, who would it be?
AA: One of my favorite shoe designers is Roger Vivier. There are also iconic houses that have access to just the most beautiful craftsmanship and fabrics, like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Marni.
PS: Do you have a pivotal moment that you can identify where you realized your dream of becoming a fashion designer was coming to fruition?
AA: It's been very recently, after actually having access to the resources I had very limited access to, compared to my white male counterparts. When I saw what I have accomplished on the amount of money that I've raised — white men are given much more money and accomplish much less.
PS: What is one piece of advice you have to become an "unstoppable" woman?
AA: In fashion, which is one of the most brutal industries, if you're not willing to dedicate your entire life to making this happen, then find something else to do. I think the market is noisy with people who are like, "Oh, this is cute, let me become a fashion designer." But it's serious and very difficult. If you're not willing to take on the weight of how trying it is, then don't crowd the market space for people who have dedicated their lives to making this work.
