What if you said yes?

When I started my fashion career, I was a sportswear designer. That meant I designed denim, jackets, T-shirts, tops, sweaters, and everything else but dresses.

I never designed a dress.

It wasn’t something I thought about, and it definitely wasn’t something that I wore.

I was known for designing related separates, pieces that worked together or on their own. They were trend ripe, but they weren’t throwaway. They were pieces you kept.

One day, I walked into Bloomingdale's presenting my latest collection to the buyers.

In the middle of the meeting, the divisional merchandise manager walked in to meet me and see what I had designed. She looked through the collection, really loved it, and said, “You know what? We’re looking for a designer to add dresses to the floor. What if you designed special event dresses? I think they’d feel really modern and fresh. If you design dresses, you’d become a total lifestyle brand here. I think you should think about it. We’re missing it.”

I told her I had never designed dresses and asked what she had in mind.

So we sat together and all talked through some ideas.

A few weeks later, I came back with a small suitcase of fabric swatches, a few garments for inspiration, and my usual plain paper and number two pencils. We pulled together swatches, taped things to the wall, and worked through what felt like special event dressing for their customer. I sketched designs and ideas in the meeting, something I was known to do as a real collaborator.

This was my first order for dresses, and it took off.

Within a short time, I became known as a dress and special event designer, not just for Bloomingdale's, but for Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and all my boutiques.

The irony is, I can count on one hand how many times I've worn a dress in the last 10 years.

And here's what I learned from that experience.

Curiosity will always lead you to the next clue on your creative path.

Being curious means staying open and willing to learn something new.

Your creative journey isn’t something you map out. It reveals itself as you let go of how you think it should be and stay open to how it’s unfolding in front of you.

Remember, success leaves clues.

Sally

First time seeing my name at Bloomingdale’s!

Quote Of The Week:

“Every new path begins with a question you’re willing to follow.”

Book Signing + Conversation

Join Sally on May 7th from 6:30–8:30 PM at DIESEL, A Bookstore in Santa Monica for a conversation and book signing of her new book. The event is free and open to the public.

RSVP HERE

Priority seating for guests who purchase

a book through DIESEL. Click here to purchase!