Before I wanted to be a fashion designer I wanted to be an architect. I was helping my father build our house that was built by the Johanna Construction Company (that was me). Like a lot of little girls I made doll clothes for my doll collection but I was also a tomboy. After that phase was over in 7th grade I found out I liked to design my prom dresses. Since my mother had been in the dance world she would make special dresses for me to wear that I designed. Needless to say my dresses were outstanding, with lots of fabric in the full skirts we wore in those days. I kept designing and learned how to sew in high school. When I entered Washington University my first teacher was a very strict seamstress that showed us factory style sewing machines that we were to use. They were so fast we were all shocked. But I did learn to use them and it was a good thing. When I started my first job I could show my seamstresses how to make something that I designed . It was my first experience working with professional seamstresses. They were fast and very good at what they did. I never doubted their skills. I set up my design department in Florida the same way.