Meet Designer, Sierra Barrett
Last February, we held a design competition for our 2017 Dressember Dress Collection. Today, we introduce you to design winner (and stunt woman in training), Sierra Barrett on the inspiration she drew from for "The Sierra".
Name: Sierra Barrett
Title and Company: Freelance Costume Designer / Universal Studios Hollywood Costume Dresser. Also, a Stunt Woman in training!
My Biggest Design influence / Inspiration:
It may sound odd but I find problem-solving to be a great source of influence and inspiration to me. There is so often the need to create things that are both practical and attractive. I try and look at the problems that come up as new opportunities for creativity. I once heard that; there is vast freedom in limitations. This is where my creative side is able to do what it was made for.
Why I partnered with Dressember / what I love about Dressember:
I partnered with Dressember because I have participated the last two years and it has a special place in my heart. I love that Dressember makes impacting the world possible and accessible to everyone. I have found it so inspiring and such a powerful way of using something potentially shallow to have an honorable impact on this world. I want to be apart of the story that Dressember is writing across the globe and I want to have a small hand in eliminating modern-day slavery.
A woman I admire:
The woman who stands out to me is Sharon Hargrave. Her ability to be insanely wise, humble, kind and classy all at the same time is awe-inspiring. I admire her heart and her desire to love those around her with all her strength. Her generous soul is refreshing to everyone she interacts with, plus she is insanely stylish while doing it! I honestly hope that when I grow up I get to be half the woman that she is.
"I once heard that; there is vast freedom in limitations. This is where my creative side is able to do what it was made for."
What I wish I knew when I first started my professional journey:
I feel that I had a decent idea of what I was getting myself into when I started in my career path of costuming. However what I have learned along the way is that while you can work hard and check every box, it is most important to not compromise your beliefs and self for anyone. At the end of the day when you go to bed, you have to live with yourself and the decisions you’ve made. The world will push you and stretch you, and you will grow, but thankfully you get to decide where you will or will not allow it to sculpt your heart. I’ve learned that there will be opportunities and experiences that you could never have dreamed of and skills you’ll pick up from the talented people you meet along the way. I wish someone would have told me that when I wasn’t working on costume projects that I would be training stunts and learning fight choreography! In your career, you will do so much more than just one thing. I am grateful that we will never know the entire road that we’ll walk, and that there are twists so that we can't see the good or bad that's coming. Thank the Lord, because we’d probably run from both if we could see.
My Favorite quote:
“ You do not get to break down, you do not get to fall apart. Not when there is still a chance.” - Shonda Rhimes
What is the craziest thing you would do/have done in a dress:
I think that one of the craziest things I have done in a dress is hiking the trails in Big Sur. Last Dressember I went north and hiked a handful of trails while wearing a dress, but I would love some suggestions or maybe challenges for this year!
We loved getting to know Sierra a bit better and we hope you did too. Have an idea for a challenge she could take on this Dressember? Comment below! (She's a stunt woman, so we feel like the possibilities are endless!)
XO
