My passion for clothing started at a very young age because I was never able to find stylish clothes in my size. I was given my first sewing machine in 1999. Within the next five years, I experimented with cut and sew, hand paint, and simple ready to wear patterns. By the 6th grade, I was making clothes for myself and my friends. In 8th grade, I won the Southern Maryland Future Business Leaders of America Business plan competition as I drafted a plan to make A-line dresses for my peers. It was this very plan I pitched in college that earned a Full Scholarship to a four year University. In 2010, I independently started a small business hand crafting gowns and special occasion garments. I built a small clientele hosting fashion shows at local high schools. In 2012, I launched a campaign using the slogan “Your style, Your size, Your color. Making a bold statement without saying one word.” This is the year I was nominated for the Maryland Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award. That summer I watched a beloved show on BET, called 106 & Park. I fell in love with denim and discovered my niche. I worked fast to build my brand by hosting several charity events, popup shops and vending events. I prided myself on making each item unique by painting, distressing, acid washing, sewing and shredding every single item by hand.

In 2014, I collaborated with Basketball Wives LA breakout star Angel Brinks, creating exclusive pieces only to be sold in her Las Vegas and Los Angeles stores. We sold over 400 units in the first 30 days of the collection release. At the time, I was so swamped with my senior classes, motherhood and the passing of my grandfather I wasn’t able to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I struggled to scale my business and experienced burnout by 2016. At that time, I deactivated all of my social media accounts and websites and focused on my passion, children and families.

In 2016, I enrolled in Loyola University to study School Counseling with an Auxiliary in Special Education. Even though most of my experience was in Business Management, Fashion and Creative Design, I was still a huge advocate for children and families. I volunteered for several community organizations and public schools like the EMPAS Group, CPAC, Project Playtime and Hashtag Lunchbag. I would also mentor teen mothers and youth transitioning through the juvenile justice system.

By the time I completed my Master’s program, I felt inspired and relaunched my clothing brand, Vittoria Antionette. I rebranded and started releasing more screen printed items promoting self-love, inspiration and empowerment. I now had the professional tools to help care and support children and families. Each year, I take the time to work with teens handling pregnancy, dating, academics, college preparation and more. My ultimate goal is to empower the youth through creative learning, self-love and mentoring. I refocused my brand on my passion and I take pride in the intimate relationships I am able to build with the kids I support and the customer base.

In 2018, I also launched my professional Counseling Career. I made a commitment to work with minority communities because those communities tend to shy away from mental health and self-care services. I experimented with implementing therapeutic services in unique ways. I wanted to provide aid to people who could identify with self and my experiences. As a Professional School Counselor, my impact on minority communities is greater than anything I was ever able to imagine. As I continued my counseling career, I have had experiences working with a multitude of populations such as couples, children, military, transient, families, geriatric, those suffering from addictions, mental health and in crisis.

In 2021, I thought it was time to merge the role of the Creative Designer and the Counselor. I rebranded my clothing business as The Denim Bar, A sustainable American Denim Brand and Vittoria Antionette as the professional Counselor providing therapeutic services in unique ways. I have recently been collecting data on how to merge my love of fashion and creativity with therapy. I have made huge strides with programs I develop for schools.

Now that I am more experienced in my Counseling profession, I am focused on developing programs that provide students the opportunity to explore personal transformations through demonstrating self control, eclectic coping skills and goal setting. As the program progresses, students gain technical and vocational skills necessary to explore entrepreneurship and strategies to start an e-commerce business. Students will learn how to design, create and sell handmade and upcycled products using online platforms such as Amazon and in-person pop-up shops. My mission as a comprehensive school counselor is to promote autonomy, creativity, individuality, beneficence, advocacy and justice.

In the near future, I hope to start a non-profit organization that allows me to open free therapeutic centers in communities providing a variety of mental health and entrepreneurial services.