Check Out Hazel Sanchez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hazel Sanchez

Hi Hazel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved fashion and it’s always been a part of me. From watching my cousins Leslie Palafox & April Penaloza, tear sheets from the hottest magazines and filling up their bedroom walls and school binders with fashion pictures- to them dressing me up and taking photos of me. I remember as a child, I would stand in front of the tv, and I would watch the models walk the runway and just stare in awe. The clothes, the hair, the makeup, the accessories, the strut, everything about it fascinated me. And let’s just say my outfits have never been boring.

Fast forward to senior year in highshool 2013, I had a conversation with one of my favorite teachers about how I wanted to attend Fidm, she brought up how it wasn’t easy and how she had former students who had dropped out, so she told me to really think about it. So I thought about it and I knew it wasn’t something I could risk at the moment due to my financial status.

I attended Cal State Los Angeles under pre-nursing, but as I hit my sophomore year, I knew that wasn’t my passion and fashion still had my heart.
So I had to make the selfish decision and follow my dreams so I changed my major to Fashion & Textiles. It was a scary decision because I didn’t know how I was going to tell my parents. When I told them, I felt like they were worried that there wasn’t going to be opportunities out there. A career in fashion was foreign to them, but they stood by me and supported me.

Initially, I was more interested in the merchandising side of fashion but my professors saw my talent in design and gave me the push I needed.
During school, I met one of my good friends, Patrice Cathleen, who has been a mentor for me throughout this journey.

After college, I had jobs in fashion like e-commerce styling and e-commerce data entry, but none of them were in design. On May 7, 2021, a day after my birthday, Patrice invited me to go with her to an event where she introduced me to Maria Peralta. The fashion retail apparel company where they both were working at was hiring and I applied. Shortly after, Maria interviewed me and opened the doors for me. I started off only going part time as a cad assistant designer, while juggling another job, and gradually worked my way up. I have learned a lot by working along some of the most talented and hard working women in this industry, Patrice, Maria, Missy B and Gloria Calderon, which has played a role in helping me get to where I am today.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been an easy smooth road for me. Some of the struggles I have encountered have been to continuously having to prove myself, having to work harder than others, being compared to others and dealing with double standards.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a designer for a fashion retail apparel company. I specialize in young contemporary clothing for women & juniors clothing for girls. I am most proud of myself for making my dream life my reality. What sets me apart from others is my confidence, my versatility and being multifaceted.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
One of my favorite podcasts that helps me do my best in life is called Low Budget High Value Women, you can find it both on instagram & tiktok @lowbudgetmondays.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hazeldolll
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/hazeldolll
• Other: https://tiktok.com/hazelovee_