Crystal PickardBio: Growing up, my mother always knew I would be a fashion designer.  I sewed my first skirt at three, with the help of my aunt, and began early on drawing outfits for friends and family asking them what they wanted to wear. I attended high school at Cresset Christian Academy where I really began experimenting with clothing. I even bleached a pair of jeans to match a particular sweater I wanted to wear to school the next day. When I began working retail at fifteen, I realized how passionate I was about apparel. For every event I planned to attend, I would visualize the exact outfit I wanted to wear, but I could never find something quite as I had envisioned in a store. My frustration led me to understand I had a passion for design. I feel blessed to study the art of fashion design at Meredith College and will have the opportunity to study abroad in Paris this summer.  I am in the process of earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design with a Design Concentration and an English minor. I hope to one day own my own clothing line and boutique in addition to writing for a local magazine. I am honored to be participating in Redress Raleigh 2010, and would like to thank my mom, Caleb, my family, and my friends who have always believed in me and supported my dream. I thank God for all the opportunities I have been given, and I look forward to Redress Raleigh as an opportunity educate our community about environmentally responsible clothing and showcasing eco friendly fashion.