What do rockers
Keri Hilson,
Gwen Stefani and
Katy Perry have in common? Besides the obvious of being extremely talented, they have all landed on the celebrity client wish list of those “baddest” girls that up-and-coming designer,
Samantha Ferguson would love to see wearing her
Donnaccia clothing line.
Can’t you just see Gwen Stefani or Keri Hilson rocking this skirt?
Imagine Katy Perry on the red carpet wearing this beautiful dress?
I met Samantha Ferguson while speaking at the Young Women’s Leadership Conference in York, PA. Samantha is a member of SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) and was one of the models who rocked the fashion show demonstrating how to get the look for less by consignment shopping. As always, I am so inspired and fascinated by young women with a vision which Samantha clearly has. During lunch she told me about her business and brand but with only a few minutes before the next group of girls were to arrive, I still wanted to know more so I asked if we could do a follow up interview for my blog.
Kathleen:
What’s the name of your fashion design company and how long have you been designing fashion?
Samantha:
Donnaccia is the name of my line and company. I’ve been designing for about 3 years now on a part-time basis while taking classes at York College as a full-time student.
Kathleen:
Who are your favorite designers?
Samantha:
fave designers are; New york Couture (Cassie Kogler) – because everything is unique and she is a hustlin’ and bustlin’ girl like me, she has a very unique and dramatic style ♥ it lol and Betsey Johnson very awkward stuff sometimes, which is different from the norm, stuff that is unusual is very attention grabbing, i don’t like to do what everyone else is doing.
Kathleen:
When did you decide you wanted to be a fashion designer?
Samantha:
I designed my prom dress, and my mom made it. I designed my own dress because there were not any dresses that were my style, and I did not want to blend in with everyone else, I wanted the dress to be memorable, something no one ever saw before. After prom I thought about designing but I was in college and doing a lot of homework. I started taking entrepreneurial classes in my sophomore year which helped me build my dreams into ideas and finally into opportunities.
Kathleen:
Who’s your ideal client and what kind of woman would wear your designs?
Samantha:
I target women who are ‘bad’ though bad in a good way. Strong and independent women/ladies are my target client. I target women who like to be noticed for there achievements, who are not afraid of showing who they are, who are breaking the class ceilings in corporate america yet still having fun. The women/ladies I see wearing my clothes are those that are very influential and willing to play with the boys. I greatly respect women who are independent and not conforming to the norms of society.
Kathleen:
What is your vision or future goals for your design company?
Samantha:
I want to eventually own a boutique. I want to own a boutique that’s half a salon. Salons are important to strong women, to make them feel beautiful and a good place to throw around ideas for entrepreneurs.
Kathleen:
What advice do you have for girls who are interested in a career in fashion?
Samantha:
First, learn a little bit about business. I’ve talked to a lot of fashion designers and they told me that now they have to hire people to run the business for them. Second, try to define yourself from other designers, have a key aspect that your customers will remember you for. Lastly, always have a clear vision of your dreams!
Kathleen:
What companies or designers have you interned for?
Samantha:
I am currently interning from a small business; Bowling Concepts LLC, an online clothing retailer of custom embroidered bowling shirts and retro shirts, and also a western wear website that retails western clothing. I work closely with the owner of the company (an entrepreneur) and learned and am still learning a lot about running my own company.
Kathleen:
Do you have any aspirations to try out for Project Runway or the new show called Launch My Line?
Samantha:
oh, yeah! it would be a great experience and a fun challenge! i would love to do the things that people on the show do, i would love to meet new people, expand my horizons, and also challenge my talents. and develop my designing skills.
Kathleen:
How can someone purchase your clothes?
Samantha:
online at
onlyforthebaddest.com, on
myspace and find me on
facebook
Kathleen:
Your tag line says
Bad Clothes for Bad Girls and can you tell me about the line
only for the baddest?”
Samantha:
only for the baddest is about uplifting women to be the best they can be in an edgy way. Bad is not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good. A bad girl is one that does not conform to the norms of society and pushes beyond expectations.
Kathleen:
Where do you think your bold sense of confidence comes from?
Samantha:
I never really thought about where my confidence came from. I just know I am in control of my own fate so whatever i do can effect my future and I make decisions according to that. I set goals for myself, both short term and long term and then I set out to accomplish them. That way I am continually challenging myself to grow.
Kathleen:
Any final message for young girls who might be looking up to you?
Samantha:
My message to young girls is to not let other people influence the aspirations they have for their future. More often than not very talented young girls are influenced to do things to satisfy other people, when they should be focused on satisfying themselves. I want girls to know that if you stick to your goals you will achieve them, and let your haters be your motivators.
Samantha Ferguson is certainly someone to watch and follow – so why not follow her on Twitter?
@Donnaccia2bad 
