How Fashion Saved My Life

Aidan Henri

September 26, 2022

Hi my name is Aidan Henri. I am a model and actor at Columbia College Chicago. Here at Columbia College Chicago I am a double Major in Acting and Marketing for Digital Media.

I have been interested in clothing and fashion since I was a child. Growing up I was always allowed to express myself in a lot of different ways. I remember being bullied often for how I would dress in elementary school because I was so different. Neon knee high socks, purple basketball shoes, and a "Call Me Maybe" shirt; was not exactly runway ready, but I was a kid having fun dressing myself. Shortly after being bullied I began to try to hide and wear a lot of oversized jackets to hide my body and my identity.

This all changed when I discovered skinny jeans and button up shirts. The tides quickly changed. In middle school I was known for wearing red skinny jeans, red shirts, and had red streaks in my hair. I was trying to piece together a color story somehow. Regardless of if it looked good or not.

Shopping with my friends (predominantly girls) always leads me to end up on their side of the store. Which is when I fell in love with womens clothing. There was so much freedom. The level of different textures and fabrics excited me and I KNEW I would have to explore.

After discovering thrift shopping; I found it was the easiest way to try skirts or dresses on. There were so many insane options it almost made it easier to try things on like dresses, skirts, heels, and twirl around the store. Thrifting, as did much of our generation; took over my life. Thrifting was everything. I loved people asking where my clothes were from; because responding with the thrift store has a level of "one-of-a-kind" energy to it that I craved. That being said very rarely is anything I find TRULY one-of-a-kind.

Today I stand as a gender non conforming person with my pronouns being they/he/she. I loved clothing. It is the way I express myself. I like all kinds of silhouettes. Any day can call for a skirt or a dress. Maybe the day calls for super baggy shirts and baggy pants. Maybe it's a low waisted pants day with a thong and a tight crop top. I am at a point where my fashion and personal expression through fashion can truly be anything I desire it to be. I know how to make my body have a shape. Being gender non conforming allows me to dress in whatever way I want without fear. I am able to be fully me and how I feel inside and express it outwardly.