Dear Diary,
I think it may have all started on that wonderful moment when I spotted my first pair of Christian Louboutin pumps in a store window, their shiny red bottoms screaming out my name. Or perhaps it went back even further to when I was a very young girl and my grandmother first introduced me to the magic of needle and thread. MeMa (as I called her) helped me construct my very first handbag, which we crafted from plush maroon velvet fabric and a pink ribbon bow. I learned that day that not only was the world of fashion at my fingertips, but that my fingertips had been itching for the joys of creating fashion all along.
In high school I began designing and constructing all of my gowns for special events. Prom, Homecoming, Senior Dinner Dance—these were my moments to shine. I played with different types of fabric, mixing sheers and opaques, appliqués and embellishments until I found just the right combinations for my pieces of art. Though I loved shopping, I found that I loved expressing myself through my own creations even more. I was no longer content to look or dress like everyone else. It made me happy to be literally on the cutting edge, my sharp scissors in hand!
I first started sewing on my grandmother’s beautiful old Singer sewing machine, a workhorse if you ever saw one, and then I progressed to acquiring my own machine in high school. Once I followed my passion into college for fashion design, I graduated to the big boys–the industrial sewing machines.
My real fashion experience began when, at the age of 20, I ditched my small town college and moved to the “Big Apple.” What better place to advance my studies than in the midst of the fashion epicenter of the United States! The hussle and bussle sucked me in, and I felt like I had at last found the place I belonged, for the first time in my life. In my heart, I became a New Yorker the moment I set foot on the streets of Manhattan.
Studying fashion design in NYC was the experience of a lifetime for a fashion lover like me. I embraced every Pattern Making, Sketching, and Color Theory class with vigor! Even the subway didn’t intimidate this Fashionista, not even at 4am in the morning as I would return to my apartment in Brooklyn, bleary-eyed from an inspired night of creation. I trotted all over Fifth Avenue, searched sample sales for designer duds, swatched fabric in the Garment District, scored a job working at Trump Tower for “The Donald”, and even fell in love—twice.
First I fell in love with the amazing city and the many splendored experiences it brought me, and then I fell in love with the amazing man that I am married to today. We met in typical New York City meeting fashion—at Starbucks. When I met him, he was leaving to ship off to basic training for the Army in a couple weeks, so we quickly found ourselves both in love and in an unimaginable predicament! Separated too soon, we communicated as best we could through letters throughout basic training, until we finally were allowed to increase our communication to phone when he went on to AIT ( Advanced Individual Training). We dealt with the ups and downs of a long distance relationship, while only having the chance to see each other on weekends whenever my sexy soldier was able to take leave. It wasn’t long into our relationship that we learned we were pregnant with our bundle of joy, Branden, not so little anymore at the lively age of three.
The moment that my little man was born, I transformed from Fashionista to Mamanista.
Fashionably Yours,
Allison
Loved reading your Blog, Allie Somma. Natalie put a link on her FB page. My how time flys. Remember I taught at PRHS (Mrs Martino) and my daughters are Emily & Danielle Martino, and am friends with your mom Linda. Love your old sewing stories. Family stories. Take care. Keep up all the good things in your life.
Thank you so much, that means so much to me! Keep reading, I hope you enjoy!
Love it Allison!Your writing is as creative as you…….
Thanks for stopping by and showing me some love! I hope that you enjoy! I miss you!
Congratulations, Ali! After all the ups, downs and everywhere in-between, it’s time to share!!!!
Love, Debby
Thank you! Yes, the time has finally come, and I couldn’t have done it without your love, support, and Mamanista advice every step of the way!
So excited to see this blog shared!! Congrats, your hard work, dreams, are coming to fruition. Love you,I will be your # 1 follower!!
Love from your one and only Mom/ Mamanista!
Thank you! I hope my hard work pays off. I would never be where I am without having an amazing Mamanista to look up to! Love you!
What Flair, What Style,What Drama,cant wait to read more!! I always thought you had a good grasp of the written word, and this confirms it.
Great Job!!! LOL- your papanista….
HAHA too funny–Papanista! Love it! And love you! Thank you for the never ending encouragement and support! MUAH!
Great Blog, I think you’re the perfect example of a Fashionista AND a Mamanista. I’d love a trick/tips blog post about balancing time and possibly sticking to a budget in the city (when there are so many expensive fun tempting things to do!). Looking forward to the next post!
Very intreresting blog. It was very relavant. I was looking exaxtly for this. Thank you for your effort. I hope you will write more such useful posts.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy and come back to read more!
Love this post!
<3 Your Editor
Love your ‘passion for fashion’ and love for NYC!
Was her sewing machine black with a foot peddle that you had to manually pump? That is what we had as living room decoration/console table growing up.
She had one of those sitting in her basement as decoration but we never used it! I used her regular plastic Singer sewing machine and then she bought me my first one for Christmas one year! Oh the memories!
I always love reading what you have to say. Before the “mom life” I considered myself pretty fashionable, but after having my son I was stuck in a rut. Reading and seeing how you twist the mom life and fashion life is very inspiring! #TBTlinkup
Thanks Elizabeth! It’s so easy to get stuck in a fashion rut, I start to get that way at the end of each season (like now lol). Thanks for linking up lady!
Wonderful post filled with your “passion for fashion.” 😉 (I could use some help in that area 🙂 )
Thanks Pam! Well keep stopping back, I do a lot of fun posts that make fashion easy for busy ladies!
Great intro. Love your style. xo
Thanks Rene! I appreciate it!
I learned to sew on an old Singer too! My own little maniac three year old keeps me from practicing the craft my mother taught me – there’s a half finished wedding dress in the closet he interrupted… Maybe for anniversary party some year down the road I’ll actually finish it!
I can totally relate! I have a drawer filled with fabric that I am yearning to do something with…it just hasn’t happened yet!
Great to see your beginnings of life in NYC!
Thanks Kerrie! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, Allison! I knew your were a fashion focused Mama but I loved hearing about how your love of fashion is in part from your MeMa and how it bonded you two together. I reminds me of my “Little Ma” who helped inspire my love of food and cooking. Thanks for sharing this! #TBTlinkup
Thanks Jory! Yes, fashion has certainly been a big part of my life, but stemmed from a great bond with my Mema! I love that you have a similar story about your passion for food and cooking!