[outfit_details]Designing A Top for Gibson x International Women’s Day Collection
Gibson Off the Shoulder Top c/o (wearing XS, also in two other colors), White Distressed Jeans (wearing size 24)
Blue Heels (old, similar with scallops here), Kendra Scott Earrings c/o, Laptop Skin[/outfit_details]

Happy FriYay! I have some huge news to share with y’all and I’m beyond excited! A dream of mine for years is coming true: designing a top for Gibson x International Women’s Day collection! The collection launches March 8 on International Women’s Day and is available at Nordstrom. The top I’m designing is versatile so it’ll be great for both work and the weekend. I can easily see myself restyling it multiple times for different settings and I know you will, too! It comes in two colors and I can’t wait to share a sneak peek with you once the final samples are complete! Being able to share the process with y’all is very exciting and I can’t wait to share what’s next. One reason I love the top I’m designing in particular is its versatility. You’ll be flattering on so many different women. Plus, Gibson offers sizes XXS Petite to XXXL.

My experience as the first Vietnamese-American to compete at the Miss USA Pageant, being a TV Journalist, competitively figure skating for more than a decade and being raised by a strong woman all contributed to the woman I am today. This year, the hashtag for International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter. Growing up and even more so now, I believe your life is what you make of it and how you choose to spend your time. Personally, I’m not a fan of the word balance because I feel it means there has to be some justice of the scales. All of us, especially women, should be able to choose who or what we devote our time to without judgment. There are days, weeks even, when my work takes priority. I’m about 90 percent in and have to be in order to meet deadlines. Then, there are times, including when my Dad’s health took a toll, where I dropped everything to be next to his side. To be compassionate people, I think it’s important to realize we cannot have this perfect split of our lives. What needs our priority should be that when it’s required. Women can have it all, pursue their passions, have a career and take care of the people we love.

I’m honored to be joined by eight other spectacular women who are all designing a top for Gibson x International Women’s Day collection. All of us are unique, have diverse styles and bring something different to the blogging industry. We all have a message to share with our readers, followers and anyone who comes to our space on the internet. Every item in the collection is named after a blogger so of course, I want to introduce ou to these ladies!

Erin – Living in Yellow
Chelsea – LoweCo Petite
Lindsey – The Mother Chic
Ruthie – Ruthie Ridley Blog
Rebecca – Mommy in Heels
Thamarr – Musings of a Curvy Lady
Roselyn – Roselyn Weaver
Mindy – Mindy Cityy

When I started Color & Chic years ago, I wanted to empower women with the clothes they wear. I believe style is a way of communicating who you are without saying a word. Whether it’s a power dress for work, something you’re wearing out to lunch with your friends or a romantic dress date night, I want you to feel confident. My hope is feeling confident because of the clothes you wear will encourage you to take charge of your life and go after your passions. I know that feeling of walking into a meeting, wearing a dress and feeling like a million dollars. My chin is up, I believe in myself and exude confidence. In turn, I’m able to effectively do my job, which leads to a feeling of accomplishment.

Throughout my young life, I’ve been privileged to have the opportunity to chase my dreams. There have been many of them and I’m proud to say with hard work, many of them have come true. Being the first Vietnamese-American woman to compete at the Miss USA Pageant was awe-inspiring. Traveling the country and meeting other women who told me they felt like doing pageants or pursuing a career in communications was possible because of me took my breath away. It’s been an honor to share people’s stories of grief, injustice, compassion and triumph as a reporter. It’s hard job but it’s exhilarating to ask to the tough questions and be a voice for the voiceless. Learning to fly aka competitive figure skating instilled in me from a young age, a hard work ethic can level the playing field. If you want something, you have to fight to earn it.

Part of the process of designing a top for Gibson x International Women’s Day Collection is actually choosing a charity to donate to on our behalf. I’m choosing Disabled Veterans of America. I’m so passionate about helping the brave men and women who serve our great country. As a first-born American, I know freedom isn’t free.

I hope you’ll join me on International Women’s Day and take part in this movement to have #balanceforbetter. It is my hope, designing a top for Gibson x International Women’s Day Collection will inspire you to take charge.