OK the short version (hahahah): After high school I moved to PA around Gettysburg. My mom's grandparents were getting older and she wanted to be near them. I went to a local college got really into 90's music scene, moved to Pittsburgh and was in a band. Went to U of Pitt and wrote my interdisciplinary major Arts/Advanced Literature/Cultural Studies (I know, what was I thinking? But boy do I know a LOT of stuff!)

I started doing national marketing campaigns including tours which allowed me to go almost everywhere in the country. (Spokes modeling, trade shows, red carpet events, sampling programs, etc) I sold all my stuff, put the rest in storage and did a 6 month tour in NY in 2001 which allowed me to save up enough to move to LA.

I did some acting and it was fun! Repo! the Genetic Opera was just released as a movie and I was in the first play, I had a great time and met tons of cool people but I decided my heart wasn't in performing. I always was more the quiet underground rebel type and I always did like to write and make clothes. I started designing my own stuff and got into several boutiques. I went on the road with Scion for five years working the auto shows.

Then, a few years ago I got into fit modeling which is basically maintaining a designer's size and trying on their samples and telling them what's wrong with it and why it doesn't fit correctly. It was the perfect job for me because I always did know how to sew. I got really good over the years and can tell exactly what's wrong with the garment and how to fix the pattern. I worked for Forever 21, Hot Topic, Tadashi and Nordstrom's lines Black and White Market (My high school home ec teacher in Whiting would faint! I was the worst student in her class. I burnt rice crispy treats. Who does that??) But I was still bored, it was too easy and I still wasn't being creative enough. My one goal in life has always been to find something I LOVE to do and be a working artist.

Then I met someone who got me a design job and I had finally found what was meant to do. :) Took long enough! I got a job with an Indian company and they sent me to New Delhi, India to work with the factory sewers and pattern makers and to pick out my fabrics. It was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life! I also got very very ill and lost about ten pounds in two weeks. It was rough and in the end it didn't work out. I moved on to an import company that sent me to China. I was in Shanghai, Changsu and Hangzhou. It was so cool going to China! I didn't get nearly as ill or as heartbroken meeting the chinese people and what a history they have. Anyway that didn't work out either and with the market and economy it became extremely difficult to find work. NOW I got a position in downtown LA, Asst. Designer at Fashion Click. We do lines for Nordstoms among others..

Never been married and haven't had kids! I always wanted a career first, but now that its taking me so long who knows what will happen!

Oh, and I'm on Facebook under Oriel Collins which is my middle name. If anyone's on there drop me a note I just joined. The End. :)

I moved to North in my senior year which was kind of a bummer to move in my senior year and being the new girl. I didnt know very many people but almost everyone made me feel welcome. :)

Prior to that I went for a very brief time to West and prior to THAT I went to Whiting High where they filmed Children of the Corn. Moved there from California.

Hung around mostly with Missy Goodwin and Melissa Linscott from West. Dated Randy Holtz from East. I remember eating lunch with Laura Boss and Dimitra. Hanging out with Johnny Montagne. Art class with Mr. Heath. Throwing little pieces of clay at the clock to see who could get them to stick with Mike Uhl in sculpting class.

Dressing like a crazy person and going through a lot of hairspray. Pinning up the calves on my pants with safety pins. Driving that crazy 1965 Galaxy and getting into way too much trouble. And actually getting in school detention for being late too many times! Either because a) my car wouldn't start bc it was too cold and I forgot to plug it in the night before and b) my hair wasn't right. :)