Her bold and colourful taste in fashion is something Antoinette Henry wants to develop and master, if she is to become a reputable fashion designer. She is undaunted by the challenges of making a statement with her pieces and the path that will take her to stardom.

She tells Youthlink what fuels her passion for fashion and how she plans to take her style to the next level.

Antoinette Henry

Youthlink (YL): Why did you decide to specialise in fashion designing?

Antoinette Henry (AH): Fashion pulls me in. To put it simply, fashion design chose me, I didn't choose it.

YL: At what age did you become passionate about designing and how was your passion manifested at that time?

AH: I have been interested in designing from I was like seven years old or younger. I didn't even know there was a career out there in fashion. I would watch my mom on her sewing machine and hand stitch clothes myself for my dolls because I was afraid of the sewing machine at that time.

YL: What does fashion designing mean to you?

AH: Fashion designing is a career just like medicine or law, and it is not to be underestimated. It is a complex skill that takes you far if you are brave enough to can take risks. I believe the willingness to take risks determines whether you have the potential to move from being a local to an international designer. As long as you have a good client base and excellent marketing strategies, fashion designing can put food on your table, pay bills and help you lead a comfortable lifestyle. Besides, it is what makes you happy at the end of each day.

YL: What do you love designing the most and why?

AH: My top-three favs are gowns, swimsuits and casual dresses. I like designing gowns the most because the right gown can soften any woman's appearance and make her more attractive and admired.

YL: Have you pursued an education in fashion or do you intend to enroll in a school to study fashion design?

AH: I was accepted to study at the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009 to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, but because my mother couldn't afford, it I had to study locally to get my associate degree in Clothing and Fashion.

YL: How far do you wish to go with this passion of yours?

AH: My ultimate goal is to become an international fashion designer with styles that can be compared to none. I want mine to be the name on everyone's lips when they are thinking about buying a new piece for their closet.