Born in a poor family means you have to save every penny for emergence use. My father is a gambler and my mother is a waitress. My childhood consisted alcohol and fighting. Lucky me, isn’t it?

So when I got the chance to study in the famous boarding school, it didn’t need a genius to figure out that luckiness just knocked my door.

Usually, only rich kids could afford the high tuition of the boarding school, but since I have got these recommendations from my professors and the school authorities agreed that I could pay the money back step by step. I knew this was a life time opportunity and there was no way that I am going back to my parents.

I did part time job in the school library by helping the librarian with the returned books. She was a cultivated woman, familiar with pretty much book in the library. Conversing with her was like talking to an intellectualist who knew when to interrupt or stop you. She held the idea that women should be independent, be free to make her own decision.

Walking around the schoolyard was an experience of attending a fashion show: LV, Prada, Chanel, etc. The only thing I carried with me every day was a black, ugly school bag. For a second I felt like I was an alien and should be executed for against humanity according to their point of view.

But for her enlightening I would have died of shame. Dignity doesn’t need decoration for it’s the most honorable quality a person possesses.

“But you are wearing D&G.”

“Yes, sweetie, first, I am able to afford them, then, it’s a reward for myself.”

I studied extremely hard in the school and finally all my efforts were paid off. I got the top scholarship at the end of the semester.

Recollecting the hardships I had gone through, I knew what I should do with the money. I purchased an Ed Hardy bag and put my hope, my desires in it. I believe that fashion can make a person happy because it somehow represents the journey towards freedom and independence.

Thanks to the great lessons I learned from her, I did not become one of those complainers who abandon themselves to their fate. I buy these designed bags now and then, and I am proud of my ability. It feels so nice and right.