My name is Cailin Womack and I am a full time student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising currently working on my merchandise marketing degree. I grew up in a small town in Placer County where I spent my time helping my dad in the garden and raising hens and turkey. From a young age my heart was set on being a designer and running my own business. As I grew older the emergence of fast fashion became more prevalent and by my sophomore year of high school I turned to thrift stores and handmade as the entirety of my wardrobe. By the time I enrolled at the fashion institute I was firm in my ideals to reject the world so dominated by stores like Forever 21 and H&M. I had also been wearing a hat every day for the better part of a year and it seemed almost natural to focus my creative abilities on a trade that spoke so dearly to my personal style. Focusing my energy on becoming a milliner has proven to be a beneficial move. I have honed in on my appreciation for handmade and feel gratitude in knowing that I am apart of a movement for a better world. A movement where people are conscious and aware. One that promotes quality over quantity and the betterment of the global forces that allow us to thrive. After graduation in December I will head out for my family’s property in Oregon and begin my ultimate plan. There I will raise sheep and alpaca; learning to hand dye and process their wool and officially turning my business over to 100% sustainability. Thank you for taking the time to read and for being an industry leader for a matter so desperately needing representation.