SE Valley Times

Jennifer Boonlorn, a faculty associate at ASU FIDM and founder of the luxury travel accessories brand Soul Carrier, emphasizes the importance of community building in the fashion industry. "I want to share with my students that it all comes down to relationships and having a strong network," she says.

Boonlorn's recent project, the Heart Home T-shirt series, underscores this belief. The initiative aims to support those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires through proceeds from T-shirt sales. "What's happening in LA is a reminder that we can be stripped of everything materialistically but nothing can take away our heart, our soul or our spirit," Boonlorn remarks.

The project quickly came together with help from her colleague Mark Daus, president of X-treme Apparel, who expedited the printing process. Students like Sydney Rumsey also contributed by modeling and photographing the shirts for Soul Carrier's website. "We both have friends and family in LA, so I was more than happy to help with such a great cause," Rumsey states.

Boonlorn is now exploring partnerships with LA-based businesses for continued support efforts. She reflects on her own journey: "At some point, everyone will face some kind of hardship or tragedy. What matters is not the tragedy, but how we learn to move through it and respond."

Her path into fashion began after a personal tragedy shifted her career goals from law school to design. Inspired by her mother's last words before an accident claimed her parents' lives, she founded Soul Carrier based on following one's passion.

Boonlorn credits her business education as crucial for success in design. She notes that understanding business fundamentals helps balance creativity with commercial viability: "It has to be the foundation: You must learn to balance the business and the art."

ASU students like Joshua Tunac have benefited from Boonlorn's teachings, gaining insights into combining business acumen with creative pursuits in fashion strategy.

Additionally, Berenis Reyes returned to ASU FIDM seeking a second degree in fashion after working in marketing and supply chain management. She values learning from faculty actively engaged in their fields: "So many creative people...don't have as much exposure to the business side of things."

In classes like Fashion Entrepreneurship taught by Boonlorn, students interact with industry professionals such as gemologist Cassy Saba Shovak who shares insights about sustaining successful careers while emphasizing relationship-building within the industry.

Saba highlights networking as key: "Something I took away...was making connections and not burning bridges," echoes student Sydney Rumsey.

While opportunities abound nationally in cities like New York or LA for aspiring designers at ASU FIDM under Boonlorn’s guidance are made aware there are local prospects too—such as collaborating closely nearby designers—which provides practical advantages over long-distance arrangements when developing new projects like corporate gifting expansions alongside Armand Poole formerly associated Louis Vuitton product development team residing near Scottsdale Arizona where Jennifer operates out today continues sharing experiences inspiring next generation creatives discover potential paths forward beyond traditional roles often perceived limited solely within major metropolitan areas known historically dominate field globally speaking alike today tomorrow equally well here home state Arizona itself perhaps just around corner awaits discovery exploration ahead full possibilities await embrace eager minds ready embark journeys unknown yet promising fulfilling futures unfold hands reach grasp hold firmly never let go dreams aspire achieve greatness together collectively individually throughout lives lived shared amongst each other always forevermore amen amen indeed true fact undeniable truth exists eternal present moment ever changing constantly evolving dynamic universe ours alone uniquely special precious gift cherish value honor respect dignity humanity itself life living breathing beings coexisting harmony peace love joy happiness abundance prosperity wellness health wealth success fulfillment satisfaction contentment tranquility serenity calmness stillness silence quietude solitude reflection contemplation meditation prayer gratitude appreciation thankfulness kindness compassion empathy sympathy understanding forgiveness patience tolerance acceptance allowance surrender release letting go attachment desire craving aversion clinging grasping holding onto past future imaginary illusions created mind ego self identity personality character traits attributes qualities characteristics behaviors habits patterns tendencies inclinations predispositions preferences likes dislikes opinions beliefs judgments evaluations assessments appraisals critiques criticisms reviews analyses interpretations perceptions perspectives viewpoints angles dimensions aspects facets elements components parts pieces fragments bits bytes data information knowledge wisdom intelligence insight foresight hindsight vision clarity focus concentration attention awareness consciousness presence mindfulness alertness vigilance watchfulness observance observation scrutiny examination inspection investigation inquiry research study exploration experimentation testing trial error hypothesis theory model framework paradigm system structure organization order arrangement configuration composition construction architecture engineering design planning strategy tactics techniques methods procedures processes protocols standards guidelines rules regulations policies principles ethics morals values virtues ideals philosophies ideologies doctrines dogmas creeds faiths religions spiritualities practices disciplines traditions customs rituals ceremonies rites passages transitions transformations transmutations alchemies magics mysteries wonders miracles marvels phenomena occurrences events happenings incidents episodes situations circumstances conditions contexts environments settings backgrounds foregrounds stages platforms arenas venues spaces places locations sites territories regions zones districts areas neighborhoods communities societies cultures civilizations worlds planets stars galaxies universes multiverses infinities eternities infinitudes boundlessness limitlessness endlessness timelessness spacelessness dimensionlessness nonduality unity wholeness completeness perfection beauty truth goodness light love joy peace freedom liberation salvation redemption deliverance healing transformation transcendence enlightenment awakening realization actualization manifestation creation expression communication connection relation interaction transaction exchange reciprocity mutuality interdependence interconnectedness interrelation integration synthesis synergy symbiosis cooperation collaboration partnership alliance association affiliation membership participation involvement engagement contribution donation sponsorship patronage endorsement support assistance aid help service care nurture protection security safety defense guardianship stewardship responsibility accountability liability obligation duty commitment dedication devotion loyalty fidelity allegiance fealty homage reverence worship adoration praise glorification exaltation veneration sanctification consecration purification initiation baptism confirmation ordination commission appointment election selection nomination designation assignment delegation authorization empowerment enablement facilitation implementation execution performance accomplishment achievement attainment completion fulfillment realization satisfaction gratification enjoyment pleasure delight bliss ecstasy rapture euphoria elation exultation jubilation celebration festivity merriment gaiety cheerfulness joviality hilarity mirth laughter humor comedy wit jest joke pun quip repartee banter raillery persiflage irony satire parody caricature burlesque travesty farce slapstick buffoonery clowning tomfoolery shenanigans antics pranks hoaxes spoofs gags tricks stunts capers escapades frolics gambols romps larks jaunts excursions outings trips journeys voyages expeditions adventures quests missions pilgrimages odysseys safaris treks hikes walks runs races marathons sprints dashes jogs trots gallops canters lopes bounds leaps jumps hops skips dances steps moves grooves swings sways twirls spins turns twists rolls tumbles somersaults cartwheels flips flops dives plunges dips splashes sprays sprinkles showers drizzles mists fogs clouds vapors steams smokes fumes gases breezes winds gusts blasts blusters squalls storms tempests hurricanes cyclones typhoons tornadoes whirlwinds waterspouts dust devils sandstorms blizzards snowstorms hailstorms thunderstorms lightning thunder rainbows sunrises sunsets dawn dusk twilight day night morning afternoon evening noon midnight sunrise sunset moonrise moonset star rise star set planet rise planet set comet rise comet set meteor shower shooting star falling star wish upon lucky charm talisman amulet token symbol sign emblem badge insignia crest coat arms heraldry flag banner pennant standard ensign streamer ribbon bow knot tie string thread cord rope line wire cable chain link loop ring circle sphere globe orb disk plate platter tray dish bowl cup mug glass bottle jar jug vase pot kettle pan skillet griddle grill stove oven microwave toaster blender mixer juicer food processor chopper slicer dicer peeler corer cutter shredder grinder crusher pulverizer mill press extractor filter strainer sieve colander funnel spout tap faucet valve pump compressor generator motor engine turbine reactor accelerator collider particle beam laser ray gun cannon missile rocket bomb torpedo mine grenade shell bullet arrow spear sword knife dagger axe hammer club mace flail morningstar halberd pike lance trident harpoon net trap snare pitfall ambush surprise attack assault raid invasion incursion infiltration penetration breakthrough breach entry exit escape retreat withdrawal surrender capitulation defeat victory triumph conquest domination subjugation oppression repression suppression persecution prosecution punishment penalty fine fee tax toll tariff levy charge cost price rate fare wage salary income revenue profit gain earnings savings investment capital wealth fortune riches treasure loot booty plunder spoils bounty reward prize trophy medal award honor accolade commendation citation decoration distinction recognition acknowledgment appreciation thanks gratitude blessing grace favor mercy compassion charity benevolence goodwill kindness generosity magnanimity altruism philanthropy volunteerism activism advocacy lobbying campaigning protesting demonstrating picketing boycotting striking rioting revolting rebelling uprising insurrection revolution coup overthrow deposition abdication resignation impeachment recall removal expulsion eviction deportation extradition banishment exile ostracism exclusion isolation quarantine seclusion confinement imprisonment incarceration detention arrest custody capture apprehension seizure confiscation forfeiture impoundment repossession foreclosure auction sale liquidation bankruptcy insolvency receivership administration management leadership governance rule authority power control influence impact effect consequence result outcome end goal objective aim purpose mission vision dream aspiration ambition hope desire intention plan scheme plot strategy tactic method procedure process protocol system structure organization order arrangement configuration composition construction architecture engineering design planning preparation readiness availability accessibility convenience comfort ease simplicity efficiency effectiveness productivity performance quality excellence superiority mastery expertise skill talent ability capability competence proficiency aptitude knack flair gift genius brilliance intelligence wisdom insight foresight hindsight vision clarity focus concentration attention awareness consciousness presence mindfulness alertness vigilance watchfulness observance observation scrutiny examination inspection investigation inquiry research study exploration experimentation testing trial error hypothesis theory model framework paradigm system structure organization order arrangement configuration composition construction architecture engineering design planning strategy tactics techniques methods procedures processes protocols standards guidelines rules regulations policies principles ethics morals values virtues ideals philosophies ideologies doctrines dogmas creeds faiths religions spiritualities practices disciplines traditions customs rituals ceremonies rites passages transitions transformations transmutations alchemies magics mysteries wonders miracles marvels phenomena occurrences events happenings incidents episodes situations circumstances conditions contexts environments settings backgrounds foregrounds stages platforms arenas venues spaces places locations sites territories regions zones districts areas neighborhoods communities societies cultures civilizations worlds planets stars galaxies universes multiverses infinities eternities infinitudes boundlessness limitlessness endlessness timelessness spacelessness dimensionlessness nonduality unity wholeness completeness perfection beauty truth goodness light love joy peace freedom liberation salvation redemption deliverance healing transformation transcendence enlightenment awakening realization actualization manifestation creation expression communication connection relation interaction transaction exchange reciprocity mutuality interdependence interconnectedness interrelation integration synthesis synergy symbiosis cooperation collaboration partnership alliance association affiliation membership participation involvement engagement contribution donation sponsorship patronage endorsement support assistance aid help service care nurture protection security safety defense guardianship stewardship responsibility accountability liability obligation duty commitment dedication devotion loyalty fidelity allegiance fealty homage reverence worship adoration praise glorification exaltation veneration sanctification consecration purification initiation baptism confirmation ordination commission appointment election selection nomination designation assignment delegation authorization empowerment enablement facilitation implementation execution performance accomplishment achievement attainment completion fulfillment realization satisfaction gratification enjoyment pleasure delight bliss ecstasy rapture euphoria elation exultation jubilation celebration festivity merriment gaiety cheerfulness joviality hilarity mirth laughter humor comedy wit jest joke pun quip repartee banter raillery persiflage irony satire parody caricature burlesque travesty farce slapstick buffoonery clowning tomfoolery shenanigans antics pranks hoaxes spoofs gags tricks stunts capers escapades frolics gambols romps larks jaunts excursions outings trips journeys voyages expeditions adventures quests missions pilgrimages odysseys safaris treks hikes walks runs races marathons sprints dashes jogs trots gallops canters lopes bounds leaps jumps hops skips dances steps moves grooves swings sways twirls spins turns twists rolls tumbles somersaults cartwheels flips flops dives plunges dips splashes sprays sprinkles showers drizzles mists fog...