28/09/2025
Today my company, Avant-Garde Designs, turns 3! ๐
Looking back to this day three years ago, I was in a completely different place. Iโd been hired into a role that wasnโt what it said on the label โ I was sold something that didnโt exist. Me being me, I persevered... until I burnt myself out and became somewhat of a shell.
I decided to take some time off and really evaluate my mindset, health, happiness โ and the options available to me. I was probably at the lowest point Iโd ever experienced, and I felt like I had nothing to lose. So, I took the leap into self-employment and freelancing.
Flash forward to now: Iโve been freelancing with LโOrรฉal on and off for the past two and a half years, working on brands such as YSL, Armani, Valentino and many more. Iโve also worked with four private clients across a variety of design and merchandising projects.
To some, this may not sound like much for a business to achieve in three years โ but to me, itโs everything. I love my job, I love my industry, and no matter how small the project or how little I may earn in some months, this work brings me more joy than I ever expected.
Donโt get me wrong, Iโm still learning a lot โ and Iโm no expert at running a business. Most days I work harder and longer than I ever did in the role that originally burnt me out. But this time, itโs on my terms.
The biggest takeaway from this journey is how much happier I am. Iโve put together a short reel โ not just to highlight some of the incredible projects over the last three years, but to show how Iโve gone from feeling broken, empty and lost, to becoming a happier, healthier version of myself โ one Iโm truly proud of.
Happy Birthday, Avant-Garde Designs โ I love you.โจFrom Chloe x
