ALEXANDRA ALESII DEBLER

I am not just a designer; I am an artist and a craftsperson. I am a painter and a photographer and a mix of many things. In my life I will strive to stay true to the title of creator; I will find the beauty in the mundane because the mundanity makes life worth living. But what have I become?

I’ve become angry. In looking at my life and art, once one in the same, seeing I have spent so much time bending to the will of others. I caught myself doing it yesterday, today, now never again will I put myself aside. I create in celebration of all the things that make me and all the things that make humanity. I rejoice in the beauty of our bodies and the beauty in our elegance. Allowed to be pretty, rich, dazzling as we spin nearly out of reach. To never withhold from myself the permission to create the girly, the a, the princesses and the Gods.

Why? Why am I so furious? Empty promises, calls for activism until we point the finger at your issues and suddenly we are not educated enough to understand the innermost workings of it all, are on the wrong side because the side is against you. Are you able to separate my criticism of your actions from my criticism of your being? I don’t think so.

My anger is aged and has become stale and cold. I’m not really sure what to say to you anymore, voice rugged from screaming into the void with only the echoes from others to answer me. All I have left is to show you what I’ve made for myself and let your ideas burn off me like steam. I believe in this equality. You’ve given me nothing so I shall give you nothing in return.

Were my decisions a mistake? I believe in darker moments all I’ve accomplished was an egregious error. Many told me not to come to you but I came anyway. And now you’ve beaten down a part of me I must struggle to get back. From the ashes of you I must rebuild the girl who believed in the world.

I will go forward without you and never turn back, because that is what I would have once done, when I was art and art was me. Alone I will buff out my jadedness until I can reflect the hope you so distinctly lack.

Walk with me forward and never turn back, as I celebrate the end of our union. Celebrate with me the revival of the woman unafraid to create and achieve.

The Moon Lio Skramko

THE TOWER ISABELLA CHOI DEATH PAIGE LIND

WHEEL OF FORTUNE ETHAN HOSKINS HIGH PRIESTESS DREW LEVENTHAL

I would like to thank the models for their participation and excitement to be in this project. As well, I would like to thank Swarovski for sponsoring this collection, and The Morgan Library & Museum for greatly aiding in my research.