Carving Her Own Lane in Fashion
At just 21, Shawnia Ard is proving that you don’t have to be in New York, Paris, or Milan to make an impact in fashion. A creative force on the rise, she is currently triple-majoring in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, and Visual Merchandising at Palomar College, while simultaneously gaining hands-on industry experience behind the scenes of major shows. Her unique ability to merge her background in finance with a sharp eye for design and production has positioned her as a rising star redefining what it means to succeed in fashion from the ground up.
You Don’t Have to Come from a Fashion Capital to Make Your Mark
Shawnia’s résumé already reads like a seasoned professional. She served as Project Manager for MODA 2025, a student-led fashion show that drew a crowd of 1,300, where she oversaw everything from model coordination to backstage management. She’s worked as a dresser for designers like yaisabispo, and as a Production Assistant for the Verano Fashion Show at San Diego’s Soap Factory, as well as for independent brands like RockstarTV and Friskmegood. Beyond these high-pressure events, she flexes her creativity as a Creative Director, developing conceptual fashion projects and sustainable fashion content through altering thrifted pieces.
What sets Shawnia apart is her commitment to uplifting others. Whether she’s helping emerging designers bring their visions to life, sourcing models, or offering her production expertise, she sees her role in fashion as bigger than herself. “Helping others build their dreams doesn’t dim your light,” she says. “It multiplies it.”
Her journey hasn’t come without challenges. Commuting across Southern California for opportunities, while juggling school, jobs, and creative projects, requires stamina and sacrifice. But Shawnia embraces the grind. She believes her story proves that you don’t need to come from a fashion capital—or have it all figured out—to carve your place in the industry.
“I didn’t grow up surrounded by high fashion,” she shares. “But through hustle, heart, and helping others, I’ve found my place. There’s room for girls like me—Black, creative, driven, and self-made—to shape the future of fashion.”
Through her brand Spoiled Brat, her social media platforms, and her growing portfolio, Shawnia continues to build visibility for herself while inspiring other young creatives to dream big. She is a testament to persistence, collaboration, and passion—and proof that the future of fashion is being shaped by new voices determined to create their own space.
