Catching up with Designs By Malyse

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Catching up with Madison

• Madison Waldrop, fashion designer and owner of
  Designs by Malyse tells us what she has been up
  to since we last interviewed her for
  JustBeingGirls.  (You can read the original
  article and see more of her designs here.)
• What has happened since JustBeingGirls.com
  interviewed me last year? A lot, and I am
  blessed. Let me go in order of events
• May, 2011 was filled with the completion of
  3-years of hard work and fulfillment for me,
  graduation from 8th grade! It was a good feeling
  to reach that milestone in life.
• From that moment it was off and running.

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• Right after graduation, my sister and I met with
  our local community kitchen. We presented a plan
  to meet a need that my sister had recognized
  while on a field trip there with her school. I
  had asked her to serve as Director of
  Philanthropy for my company. She helps identify
  ways that Designs By Malyse can make a difference
  in the lives of others. The need she saw was for
  shoes and socks for those that the community
  kitchen serves every day. So, from this SHOCKS
  CAUSE was born.
• It was the focus of my launch
  with those attending bringing a
  pair of new shoes or socks that were donated to
  the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. It was awesome
  to see how we CAN make a difference for others.
  This is an ongoing cause that continues to supply
  the CCK with foot care supplies and shoes and
  socks for those that are in need. You can see the
  video about it and other ways my company is
  making a difference by going to my website
  http//www.designsbymalyse.com/home and click on
  SHOCKS CAUSE logo.

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• Summer of 2011 I found myself busy with design
  production for my upcoming August launch. Fabric
  shopping and design tweaking had to be completed
  before I was to leave on a trip. I was given the
  opportunity to spend 3 amazing weeks with a group
  of girls from my school in England. It was great
  inspiration for my designing and an experience
  that helped me grow as a person. I met other kids
  my age from all over the world and it is great to
  have that network of friends across the globe. We
  still stay in touch to this day and will for a
  lifetime.
• August started off with me arriving back in the
  states. I was also very busy doing the finishing
  touches to my design collection and prep for my
  launch. School started mid-August with my launch
  occurring 10 days later! It was a time when I saw
  my dream come true.

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• Others came to see my design work fulfilled in a
  complete runway show, but for them all to see
  that my designing is more than just making
  dresses was the most rewarding. Its about using
  that talent to make a difference for others. It
  was a time for me to express how I believe I have
  been given a great privilege to be a positive
  role model for other young girls. I had little
  girls be a part of my launch that I had counseled
  with in a role models camp that I attend every
  summer Miss Myras Role Models camp.
• I spent a week as a camp counselor and it was
  during this time that it became clear to me how I
  have a big responsibility to be a role model that
  is true to who I am in the midst of what I am
  doing. It was a great experience and one that I
  continue to take very seriously.

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• My launch was an experience that I will treasure
  forever and one that has really led me to where I
  am now. In October my bridal designs went to NYC
  for the New York Bridal Couture Show.
• It was great to have my label there.
• School was happening all during this time also.
  First semester of my ninth grade year was very
  focused on making the transition to high school.
  I worked on custom design work during this time,
  including custom dresses for 6-month old twins
  that coordinated with my Life dress that their
  mom had purchased from the local boutique where
  my designs are sold Boutique Couture. That was
  a fun custom project! Check out this blog post
  http//www.designsbymalyse.com/blog/sweet-peas

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• When January rolled around, I was at a point
  where I really felt I needed to be able to devote
  more time to pursue my design career. My school
  created an online option for me that allows me to
  continue my education with this amazing school
  while being able to spend time pursuing my
  opportunities. This has been so awesome and is
  working out fantastic! I have been working on
  custom designs as well as my next collection to
  be completed for fall. I have speaking
  engagements scheduled with local schools to talk
  about how I am using my talents to make a
  difference for others while encouraging kids to
  reach for their dreams.
• I have had the opportunity to meet a young girl
  who has followed my story and is an aspiring
  young designer herself. It was a moment for me to
  touch her and her sisters lives that was very
  meaningful for us all.
• http//www.designsbymalyse.com/key-moments/reach-f
  or-the-stars Believe in you and follow your
  dreams!
• Another project that I have been very involved in
  and I am very passionate about is Dirt Floors
  Stone Walls. My blog post titled this tells the
  story. http//www.designsbymalyse.com/be-the-diffe
  rence/dirt-floors-stone-walls Exciting things!!
• I just got back from NYC last week. There I was
  shopping for fabrics for my next collection and
  custom laces and fabrics for special designs.

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• My family also attended Westminster where my
  parents toy poodle received an Award of Merit
  DeBrocks Avra On 48th. It was exciting because
  this was the little girl that was my puppy
  responsibility while she was growing up. Fun to
  see Avra in the ring at that venue Madison
  Square Gardens.
• Now I am making plans to return to NYC in April
  for the Couture Bridal Show. I am excited about
  it and cant wait to see where that experience
  will take me.
• Life has not slowed down for me. I am taking in
  every moment and appreciating all that I have
  been blessed with thus far. If I dont design
  another dress, I know I have already fulfilled a
  greater purpose because of the lives I have been
  able to touch. Great feeling!!
• I hope my story touches your readers in a
  meaningful way.
• Madison
• Want to see more about Madison? Read her original
  interview, Passion for Fashion Designs by Malyse