Every year Mount Mary holds its annual fashion show, boasting with pride over its newly matriculated fashion students who are ready to hit the ground running. I’ve had the pleasure of attending the show for the last three years, and with each year the show has gotten bigger and better. This year’s “Evoke Style” show did not disappoint.
Before the show began, I was rushed to the back hallway where the designers and models were scrambling to get ready. As I went from designer to designer, taking names and learning about their collections, I came across someone who made me stop in my tracks. Her name is Jessica Schroeder, and her story is one that I won’t soon forget.
Amid the noise and excitement backstage, I asked Jessica “What’s the name of your collection?” to which she replied, “Last Ride.” As with everyone else, my next questions was “and what was the inspiration for your collection?” She said, “I’m getting brain surgery this summer and will no longer be able to ride. I designed my collection around what I would have loved to wear while riding my Harley.”
It was the first response that stopped me, and it came from a beautiful girl who didn’t look a day over 25. I inspected her chic black collection, with orange striped detailing – something I could see myself wearing, though I don’t ride a Harley. With the limited amount of time I had backstage, I had to move on to the next designer but a numbness had already crawled over me.
The Evoke Style show went on beautifully, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Jessica and the struggle she would be going through. I was so captivated by her obvious passion for a mutual love we both shared: expressing yourself through fashion. A few days later Jessica agreed to a short interview.
Fashionista: What made you fall in love with Harley in the first place?
Jessica: My father. He and his buddies always looked so cool to me when I was little. You just fall in love with the freedom-type lifestyle. Nothing beats the feeling of hitting the road on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and having no destination.
F: Why is your collection called “Last Ride”?
J: I ended up naming my collection “Last Ride” because I will be undergoing brain surgery in July. It was officially my last ride on my Harley-Davidson starting off my senior school year. It is totally heartbreaking for me since every second I wasn’t in class I was on my Harley.
F: What obstacles will you need to overcome in recovery?
J: Well, the recovery process will be a rather painful and long. One of the biggest obstacles I’ll have to overcome will be regaining my independence. I’m going to have to depend on my loved ones to always be by side and do daily living skills for me; bathe, walk, cook, drive. It is an extremely hard thing for me. I mean, I went to a women’s college because of my independence! My biggest concern, really, is keeping a creative outlet while recovering in the hospital. I’m going to be going through cognitive testing to make sure the surgery is a success and processing the correct way. Art has always been a part of me and who I am so art therapy is going to be my key to recovering. Sketchbook, pencils, paints and prisma markers will be by my side!
F: Who inspires you?
J: I would have to say from a designer stand point, Alexander McQueen. But in my personal life, my nephews! They’re my biggest cheerleaders and no matter how horrible a design sketch I’ve drawn, it is the best sketch in the world to them. So that’s my driving force to just keep pushing through all of life’s obstacles to give my family the best life.
F: What are your hopes and dreams?
J: My hopes are to remain healthy, find an amazing job since I am a new graduate from Mount Mary College, start a family and to leave a positive imprint in the fashion world. My dreams are to one day become a household name that shows in Bryant Park, while being able to travel the wonders of the world with my family. I just would like to just show everyone it doesn’t make me any different just more determined. And hopefully I can be that designer who enables you to put on a piece of my designs and hit the ground running, or in my case, hit the pavement on a Harley.
We all wish Jessica a successful and speedy recovery, so she can continue on her journey to become the next household name in fashion.
“Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.” -Oprah Winfrey
Take a moment to see the fashions that strutted on the runway of the Evoke Style show!
