“Discovering things that are true about yourself and learning to embrace them.”
Born in Oklahoma but I currently live in Virginia.
Why did you choose to wear this specific outfit today? Where do you get your inspiration from?
Today I wasn’t really feeling passionately about looking cute. I tried a little harder on the first day of classes but the second day of classes are like no big deal. So I wore my favorite comfy pieces of clothing today.
Is there anything that you are wearing that holds a special meaning or memory for you?
I’m wearing these leggings from this company called the Girlfriend Collective which is a fair trade company. And these are the best leggings I’ve ever own. I’m really passionate about fair trade. These shoes I got from Christmas and they’re hiking shoes so they're really good for me as a person and traveling. I’m wearing a necklace from Kintsugi that are designed by my friend Rachel. I find them really beautiful and it looks like there’s a world inside the pendant. She helps to support a girl at a children’s home from Thailand that she met.
I have a rule that I don’t wear rings unless they are given to me. Except for this cross ring that I gave to myself at a time where I really wanted to devote myself to the Lord. The mountain ring my grandma got it for me and it represents my love for the outdoors and to never stop exploring. And Rachel gave me this feather ring which represents the work I want to get into and missions in Southeast Asia. This blue stone ring on my right hand my best friend from high school Anna gave it to me. It’s not really my style but the square gem is really beautiful to me now because she gave it to me. It means a lot to me. She’s a friend that has lasted the longest.
I’ve actually worn this shirt on some of my favorite days last semester. I got this shirt from an Instagram auction from a book I have yet to read. I ordered this shirt from her and I really enjoy it because it’s different being seafoam green. I’ve worn it during really important conversations that I’ve had with friends. I wore it on a day when some friends and I went to the Botanic Gardens in D.C. and I that was just like a really fun day of exploring and seeing new things. It’s great for adventures!
How did your style develop over time?
I was always bad at following trends. I moved around a lot as a kid and so I did not have the typical childhood experience. It took me a really long time to catch up on what the other kids were wearing around me because it would change every time I moved. I felt very lost in my fashion sense for a long time. But once I reached high school I started to have a better idea of what I liked. Being involved in theatre had a big influence on my fashion sense because I wore a lot of costumes and I really liked how some of them looked. In my sophomore year I was in a show that was set in the 1950s, and I really enjoyed the costumes I wore in that show. As I grew as an artist I started to appreciate both colors and neutrals more and so I started using more colors into my style.
What does identity mean to you?
I think to know your identity is a sign of maturity. And I think that it comes from an encounter of resonating with truth and discovering things that are true about yourself and learning to embrace them.
How did your identity develop into who you are today?
I struggled with identity much of my life. I was a big people pleaser growing up so I would assume the personalities of the people around to try to be friends with them. That changed a lot for me when I met the Lord and when I started pursuing a relationship with Christ. In Christ we find who we are and what we’re living for. And I learned that God loves me for who I am and I don’t have to become a different person to win His affections and that brought me a lot of peace.
What do you think your style says about who you are?
I think my style is a little all over the place sometimes. I like to be comfortable. I don’t like to sacrifice fashion in order to be comfortable. So I like to find a combination of both. I wear a lot of neutrals. But I don’t want to be too grey. I would say my style is classy but has a fun side to it. I want to be someone who is both put together but also fun. I don’t think I’m as put together as I want to appear sometimes. I think I’m a little more free spirited than my style.
Follow Ellie’s beautiful art on Instagram at foundentheos
