What J.Crew, Aunt Flow, and a Sewing Class Taught Me
One of the best parts about photographing weddings is that you never know who you’ll run into. This past winter I had the honor of capturing the wedding of someone who played a small but memorable role in my childhood…my favorite J.Crew stylist when I was seven years old. Yes, he was the one who first introduced me to button-down shirts, statement necklaces, and tulle skirts, an absolute dream for my preppy, Pinterest loving, younger self. Flash forward years later, and he now owns Olde Stable and Co., a Ralph Lauren-inspired home and furniture store in my hometown.
And then, as if the universe wasn’t already tying together pieces of my past, I ran into my high school fashion teacher, Mrs. Pfohl. She was the one who taught me to sew, igniting a passion for fashion that led me to start a blog in high school and eventually run an online boutique in college. But beyond sewing, this class introduced me to fashion photography. Photographing my outfits for my blog, curating flat-lay shots of shoes and jewelry, and understanding how visuals tell a story. That passion evolved into what I do now, where capturing the details of a wedding day feels just like those early moments of styling and photographing my closet in my childhood bedroom.
One of my favorite memories was senior year in Mrs. Pfohl’s Fashion Design 2 class, where we had to upcycle old clothing into something new. I took a white eyelet midi skirt and a denim jacket and turned them into the most vibrant pink, orange, and yellow outfit, completely inspired by a sunrise. That project solidified something in me: the creativity to make something new out of something old. And, thanks to her class, I haven’t spent a single penny on tailoring because, well… I can do it myself.
To add another layer to this full-circle moment, I also saw my former superintendent, Mrs. Huebner. She shared something that made me pause. Back in high school, I had pitched the idea of my all-girls school providing freely accessible feminine products in bathrooms. At the time, the conversation didn’t lead to an immediate change, but it planted a seed. Now, years later, Mrs. Huebner shared that my alma mater stocks Aunt Flow products, a brand founded by Claire Coder…who funnily enough had the same high school job I once did… dressing up as a Disney Princess.
That job, costuming up, putting on a ballgown, singing, dancing, and celebrating birthdays, was one of the most feel-good experiences. But beyond that, Claire’s journey fascinated me. Her company, Aunt Flow, tackled a problem I had long been passionate about…bathroom accessibility. I’ve always had a side obsession with bathroom design, functionality, and ergonomics (seriously, it’s 2025… someone PLEASE innovate here). Back in high school, I couldn’t understand why toilet paper was free, but feminine products weren’t. Those outdated machines charged 75 cents for a low-quality product OUTSIDE the stall. It didn’t make sense.
Funnily enough, this passion stuck with me so much so that in college, I pitched an innovative bathroom product in the Kelley School of Business’ CLAPP Idea competition and placed 4th out of over 200+ applicants. Turns out, my oddly specific enthusiasm for better bathroom solutions wasn’t so odd after all. You can read more about it here.
Anyways, I’m here to say, you never know who you’ll meet and how they’ll play into your future. From Disney Princessing at the same company as Claire while never working together, to seeing her products adopted into my alma mater. From the endless J.Crew dressing room trips with my mom, sometimes grueling but always a bonding moment, to now where I’m probably J.Crew’s biggest fan. (Though I have retired the bubble statement necklace and tulle skirt)
The connections still carry. The lessons still shape me.
This is a testament and a shout-out to the people, moments, and places that unknowingly leave an imprint.
So, thank you—J.Crew, Aunt Flow, Mrs. Pfohl, and all the people who’ve made an impact on my life, whether they knew it or not.
