My favorite color is periwinkle. It is the color of lilacs, the color that looks best with lime green, and the color that consists of specific quantities of blue and purple mixed together. Periwinkle changes based on the surrounding elements. Naturally, I used periwinkle for my first textile screen print. I like feeling in control of the color’s personality as I mix the ink by hand, with its intertwining blue and purple hues. Something feels right about the unknown...

I consider apparel design to be more than clothing magazines, shopping, or size 0 models; I love the fact that design is about innovation, practicality, and aesthetics. In high school, I managed to incorporate design into one of my community service projects. The fundraising project I established with my uncle’s colleague in Afghanistan for an orphanage was my own attempt to use design to help others. I created woven bracelets that were used to help raise money for an NGO...