Fashion designer embraces her passion

After dedicating almost two years to earning a diploma in pharmacology from Distinction College, and working for five months as a pharmaceutical technician, 22-year-old Yanique Curtis came to a pivotal realisation; the career path that was basically chosen for her was not fulfilling.

So, after months of encouragement from her co-workers, and yearning to pursue what she loved, Curtis made the bold decision to leave her job and pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Ever since the age of 15, Curtis has been cutting up her clothes and redesigning them to make it her own. She also did clothing and textile at Foga Road High School in Clarendon, where she learnt how to use the sewing machine. After gradutating, she was ready to pursue a degree in fashion design. But her mother did not agree.

"She said either I do nursing or pharmacology because when mi did finish high school, I actually wanted to go to college to study fashion but she always seh she nuh feel like it's a real career," Curtis explained. Although she was disappointed, she knew her mother only wanted what was best for her; so she studied pharmacology. But from the first day of class to her last day of work, Curtis was not happy.

"I didn't like anything about it. It was just not for me and fashion has always been my passion," Curtis said. She then decided to start her business, Neek's Designs, which took off last year after one of her designs went viral on TikToK. Before that she was attracting attention on Instagram, or through word of mouth when satisfied clients passed on her contact details. Teaching herself to do certain designs, she is now capable of making formal gowns, pants suits and even wedding dresses. Curtis told THE WEEKEND STAR that although her mother wasn't happy with her decision at first, she came around and now fully supports her passion because she is happy and doing what she loves.

"I love it even though I'm not where I want to be, and I actually plan to go back to school and study because there is a lot of stuff that I don't know. I feel really good about what I have been able to achieve and about what I've created for myself," Curtis explained. She said she's had the privilege of working with international clients from countries like the US, Canada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis and the Turks and Caicos. Curtis, who has plans to own her own store, advised others who are hesitant to follow their passions to "start before you're ready".

"If you wait on the perfect time to start, you'll never be successful. You have to put yourself out there, take risks," she said. She cautioned, however, that simply starting doesn't mean a smooth road.

"The first couple of months will be tough and you will feel like giving up, but you have to remind yourself why you started in the first place and keep going," she said.